Since arriving at Goodison Park in somewhat controversial circumstances, following Marco Silva from Watford, Richarlison has been virtually Everton’s only attacking outlet. The onus has been on the Brazilian to provide the goals from the moment he arrived for £50m, and he has mostly delivered, scoring 20 goals since 2018/19; more than any other Everton player. Though with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent sensational spike in goalscoring form, it appears that finally, Richarlison will have support from a fellow striker in forward areas.
Last season the 22-year-old Brazilian was his side’s top scorer in the Premier League on 13 goals, along with Icelandic playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson. Still, the midfielder was responsible for set pieces and is a dead ball specialist, while Richarlison, valued at £54m (Transfermarkt), relies on open play for goals. Scoring in narrowly under half of his appearances was a reasonable return last campaign, and he is on course to match this that this season, but if Ancelotti can bring stability, the striker should be exceeding 13 Premier League goals.
One aspect of his game the Brazilian has improved is the number of assists he is creating, having registered triple the amount he recorded last season already this term. In total combing goals and assists, no Toffees player has exerted a more significant attacking influence than Richarlison this season.
Until Calvert-Lewin started regularly finding the back of the net, the Brazilian was a long way out in front, but five goals in the Englishman’s previous seven matches have seen him become Everton’s top scorer this season. Richarlison must be glad that the responsibility of finding the back of the net is not being placed solely upon his shoulders, as it had been earlier in the campaign.
With a new manager full of attacking ideas, we may not see the fruits of what Ancelotti sews until he has had a preseason with his new side. But the 22-year-old Brazilian will undoubtedly be at the centre of those plans in an attacking sense, for now, though Everton fans will be pleased to see one of their own chipping in amongst the goals and relieving some pressure on Richarlison. Calvert-Lewin’s stratospheric upturn in his goal output has seen his side soar up the Premier League table and sharing Everton’s attacking burden could yet benefit his Brazilian teammate.
