ENFIELD, England — Tottenham’s head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, continues to back his earlier assertion that Mykhailo Mudryk has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or if he fulfills his capabilities.
Mudryk signed with Spurs on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, and sources indicate to ESPN that the deal could be made permanent for £75 million ($101 million) if the north London club opts to exercise the clause.
This loan arrangement reunites De Zerbi with a player he previously managed at Shakhtar Donetsk, where Mudryk caught the attention of several top European teams during his time there.
When he was managing Brighton, De Zerbi expressed his thoughts about Mudryk prior to the player’s January 2023 transfer to Chelsea, a move that could still reach €100 million with additional fees. At that time, De Zerbi predicted that Mudryk could be a future Ballon d’Or winner; however, Mudryk has faced challenges in realizing that promise since arriving in England.
“We had a unique season together at Shakhtar,” De Zerbi said during a news conference on Friday. “When the war began, we were united. My comments about the Ballon d’Or were unambiguous. Perhaps my English isn’t perfect, but my message was clear; I was referring to the player’s potential. Whether he meets that potential or not remains to be seen.
“So far, he has encountered various issues, including a recent suspension for unspecified reasons, but what remains evident is that he must harness his talents. He is an exceptional player and now is the time for him to showcase his abilities without excessive pressure. Chelsea’s decision to pay €100 million indicates they recognized Mudryk’s qualities.”
Despite Mudryk’s extended absence from competitive football, De Zerbi noted uncertainty about when the 25-year-old would be ready to start a match for Spurs but mentioned that he is fit enough to play “20, 15, 30 minutes” against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
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Is Richarlison on the brink of leaving Spurs?
Mudryk is among the 10 new recruits at Spurs this summer, but potential changes concerning Richarlison risked overshadowing the close of their transfer window.
After a move to Everton fell through, Richarlison declared on Instagram that “never again will anyone decide my future for me” and requested Spurs to show “respect” regarding his transfer intentions.
Subsequently, Spurs have acknowledged Richarlison’s absence from their Premier League squad for the first half of the 2026-27 season.
Sources told ESPN that the Brazilian was informed he is not in De Zerbi’s plans, and this decision was communicated to him prior to the transfer deadline, allowing him an opportunity to seek a new team.
“I think Richarlison made all his decisions independently,” De Zerbi explained to reporters. “He communicated with me at the start of preseason, indicating he wished to leave, prompting us to pursue another striker.”
“As I stated earlier in preseason, I want to retain only those players who are eager to remain with the right passion. Any other complexities are not my concern; they fall under the club’s responsibilities.”
“I can’t say anything more because I haven’t made any decisions. Richarlison’s intentions have been clear from the outset of the season. I accepted that, and it’s all I can offer.”
When questioned about whether he had a say in Richarlison’s exclusion from Spurs’ Premier League squad, De Zerbi responded: “No, that decision wasn’t mine. It’s simply logical. If a player doesn’t wish to stay, why should I include them in the squad?”
“I am not Vinai [Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham] or the sporting director. I’m the coach focusing on working with motivated players who may not be on the pitch but appreciate being at this club. If players don’t want to stay, it’s not my issue. The transfer market dynamics are beyond my control. If a player desires to leave and the club doesn’t wish to sell, that’s a conflict.”
Nonetheless, there remains a chance for Richarlison to move abroad, as transfer windows in some countries are still open. Türkiye’s window terminates at midnight local time (10 p.m. BST/5 p.m. ET) with Trabzonspor showing interest in the forward.
“I am unaware if there is an offer from Turkiye,” De Zerbi stated on Friday. “I don’t know if the club will accept such an offer. I do know there was an offer before the transfer market closure that he did not accept, but from my perspective, nothing has changed.”