The hits keep coming for Spurs after Richarlison confirmed that he will undergo pelvic surgery “soon”.
The news comes after a chaotic Monday night for the Premier League club in which their unbeaten start to the campaign was ended by London rivals Chelsea.
Tottenham suffered a number of blows during the 4-1 defeat, including injuries to James Maddison and Micky van de Ven. The pair, who have been instrumental to the team’s resurgence since signing in the summer, were subbed off in the first half.
Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie were both sent off during a fiery contest and will now serve three- and one-match suspensions respectively.
Richarlison has struggled for form at Tottenham and was an unused sub against Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It is not yet known when he will undergo his operation or for how long he will be sidelined.
“The last few months haven’t been easy for me,” a tearful Richarlison told ESPN. “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.”
Richarlison also reacted to his exclusion from the Brazil ahead of the next international, stating he understood why he wasn’t called up by head coach Fernando Deniz.
“I was sad when I was not called up but I understand Deniz,” the Brazilian said. “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.”