Tim Sherwood believes a return to Everton for Richarlison from Tottenham Hotspur would have suited all parties with the striker now facing a spell on the sidelines
Premier League title-winning captain Tim Sherwood believes Richarlison's failure to complete an emotional return to Everton before the transfer window closed is a shame for all parties involved.
At one stage it appeared as if the Brazil international was set to re-sign for the Blues in a separate deal to the one that would have seen Iliman Ndiaye join Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Ndiaye instead signed for Manchester City for a fee that could rise to £65m, and after Richarlison shared an emotional message on Instagram that suggested he retained his love for Everton but was unhappy at the circumstances his move was taking place within, that transfer also hit the buffers.
The striker was subsequently left out of Spurs' Premier League squad and with the club also out of the Carabao Cup, it means he looks set to be sidelined until the end of the January transfer window at the earliest.
And Sherwood, who played and managed Tottenham after leading Blackburn Rovers to Premier League glory in 1995, said: "It's a shame for Richarlison. They got rid of (Cristian) Romero, they didn't want him, they didn't want Djed Spence, and they should have tried to pave the way for Richarlison to leave.
"It didn't materialise, or everyone thought he was going back to Everton. It would have been a good move for him; it would have been a good move for Everton.
"I know the Tottenham fans don't like the fact that Richarlison's still there, but he scored 11 goals in a poor team last year, and he did contribute to them staying in the league.
"I'm not sure he's being disrespected. I hate to say that. He's a footballer, he's earned his money, and he's just fallen out of favour.
"But it'd be interesting to see the dynamics there at the moment, because I haven't got any inside information whether he's training with the group, whether he's in the same dressing room as the first-team players, or whether he's been banished, but no-one is doing well out of this situation.
"Hopefully, that can have a quick resolution in January. It's a real shame for him and the club."
Richarlison became a huge favourite at Goodison Park before his £60m switch to Spurs in the summer of 2022.
He scored 53 goals in 152 appearances for Everton and was paramount to the club surviving relegation in 2021-22.
After seeing a deal for Richarlison fade earlier this month, the Blues thought they had their new centre-forward when they agreed a £40m fee with Monaco for USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun.
However, the transfer collapsed in dramatic fashion on deadline day, leaving manager David Moyes with just one fit and available senior striker in Thierno Barry, who has started the season well with five goals in seven games.
It remains to be seen whether Everton will revive their interest in Richarlison in January. By that stage he would have just six months left on his contract. Spurs do, however, have the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.
Tottenham currently sit bottom of the Premier League table after a winless start to the new campaign. In the past two seasons they have finished one place above the relegation places.