Axed striker Richarlison has increased tensions with Roberto De Zerbi by going nuclear on social media with a post hitting out at the Tottenham Hotspur manager.

Everton legend Duncan Ferguson recently claimed that there 'must have' been a fight between the Brazilian and the Spurs head coach.

Richarlison finds himself out in the cold in North London after a move away fell through during the summer transfer window. The striker has been forced to find gametime with the under-21s in the EFL Trophy, where he scored in the 2-2 draw with Cheltenham Town.

The 29-year-old's only Premier League appearance came in the 3-0 defeat to Brentford, where he managed 68 minutes before being brought off. Ferguson has been left bemused by the snub for Richarlison as Spurs find themselves in a difficult position in the Premier League.

He said: "I don’t know what the manager at Tottenham’s done. I don’t know if they’ve had a massive fall-out, and knowing Richy (Richarlison) they probably have. but you’ve got to put your arm around him and say, ‘Come on, Richy,’ and get him back in.

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"You don’t leave a player like that out (of the squad) unless there’s been a real murder: he’s chinned him, or there’s been a proper scrap on the training ground. Richarlison’s a good player, and Tottenham are not that great, are they?

"It’s all hands-on deck. You need all your assets out there. The manager knows what he’s doing, he’s on the ground, but Richarlison’s a great player and I enjoyed working with him.”

In response, Richarlison shared a screenshot of our football.london quotes to his Instagram story with the caption: "Thanks @duncan9ferguson. You are right."

Richarlison issued a furious statement after his move to Everton collapsed. The attacker made it clear that he will not be forced into a departure, he said: "After everything I’ve been through in the last few years, I’ve decided that NEVER AGAIN will anyone decide my future for me.

"I went through a lot of bad things, and almost all of them happened because decisions were made by other people. Pressure, threats, retaliation - none of that scares me. I’ve been through far worse, believe me.

"I’ve always made it clear, every time I had the chance, that leaving for another club would only happen if it was also good for the club. If it wasn’t, I would never accept it… just like I didn’t accept it when everything was going badly and they needed me. I stayed and gave everything.

"So I hope they treat my situation with the same respect I’ve always shown Spurs and everyone who worked with me during this period. Just don’t try to decide for me.

"If they reach an agreement between Spurs and Everton, I will return to my beloved club. My intention was to go back to the place where I was very happy, yes, but the negotiations happened only in the way certain people wanted, and it will no longer be like that.

"Despite all this turmoil, I am under contract at Spurs and will remain at the club’s disposal."