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Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison says he will undergo surgery on his pelvis soon.
The 25-year-old added he believes Brazil coach Fernando Deniz was right not to call him up as he “hasn’t been playing good football”.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou dropped Richarlison from his starting line-up to face Chelsea, favouring summer signing Brennan Johnson. The Brazilian remained on the bench amid a chaotic game which saw two Spurs players sent off.
The 4-1 defeat against Chelsea came a few hours after Deniz had announced his Brazil squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia later this month — with Richarlison dropping out from the October selection.
“I was sad when I was not called up but I understand Deniz,” Richarlison told ESPN after the Chelsea game. “In his place, I wouldn’t call me up either — I haven’t been playing good football, I’ve been below my best.
“I’ve improved in the last few games. But I need to improve a lot to wear the national team shirt.
“I have to be playing. I have to be feeling well, I have to be 100 per cent and I haven’t been, I think the manager made the right choice.
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“The guys are flying. So it’s up to me to keep working. I’ll definitely be back. I didn’t get here by chance. It’s up to me to work hard every day and get into a rhythm here at Tottenham.
“I was hoping to play here (vs Chelsea) in an important game, a derby. Yesterday, I was told that I wouldn’t be playing, but that’s part of football.
“Every player wants to be called up for the national team. Of course, I was hoping for it but already felt that it was time for a rest.”
Richarlison previously spoke candidly about his health during the September international break, saying that he was going to see a psychologist after “a turbulent time in the last five months off the field”.
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What next for Richarlison?
The former Watford man has struggled since moving to Spurs from Everton last summer, scoring only five goals in 46 games. But his form had improved since the start of the season amid a positional change from operating as a central striker to a left winger, registering a goal and three assists in his last six matches.
“The last few months haven’t been easy for me,” Richarlison added, with tears in his eyes. “I’ve had health problems. I’ve already spoken to the doctors and soon I would do surgery on my pubis.
“I’ve been suffering, fighting for my national team and my club for eight months and haven’t been taking care of myself.
“I think it’s time to rest, to stop for a second. I’ll think about it in the next few days and soon I will do what is best for me.”
Spurs travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers next Saturday before the international break and then host Aston Villa on November 26.
(Photo: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
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