Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti expects more from talisman Richarlison

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Richarlison is a complete striker.

The Brazilian striker has scored 12 times this season with 3 games left in the Premier League. He scored 13 times last season. Ancelotti says his versatile Brazilian can do more.

"I think he’s [Richarlison] a player you cannot put a target on. He’s a fantastic player, of course 20 goals is the minimum but I expect more from him.”"

Richarlison’s youth gives him a chance to improve, Ancelotti added.

The 23-year-old forward is in his third season in the Premier League and while he hasn’t been under the direction of Ancelotti for much more than a half season, he recognises the impact the veteran Italian manager can have on his career. Richarlison told the official Everton website:

"It is an honour to play for one of the world’s great coaches in Carlo Ancelotti."

Ancelotti was effusive in his praise of Richarlison, who also has 3 assists to go along with his 12 league goals (14 in all competitions, which matches his output for last season.)

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"I think he’s going to improve and he is improving, because he’s still young. With experience and more knowledge he can improve his qualitiesHe’s complete because he’s comfortable in the box, he’s comfortable outside the box, he’s comfortable in the counter attack. He can play on the right, on the left, in front – he’s a really, really good player for us."

The presence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin playing alongside him in Ancelotti’s preferred 4-4-2 has helped Richarlison. Calvert-Lewin has scored 13 league goals and considering the lack of creativity from Everton’s midfield it’s amazing the two have scored as much as they have.

Gylfi Sigurdsson was brought to Everton to provide a spark of creativity after a decent first season – 13 goals, 6 assists and 11 big chances created. A big chance is A situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score, usually in a one on one scenario or from very close range when the ball has a clear path to goal and there is low to moderate pressure on the shooter. Penalties are always considered big chances, according to Opta.

This season, Sigurdsson has done little to justify his 40 million-pound price tag.  So far this season he has 2 goals and 2 assists and created 5 big chances. Richarlison betters the Iceland international in both assists (3) and big chances created (13).

It’s a telling sign Everton’s leader in assists is left-back Lucas Digne. The French international has 7 assists and has created 8 big chances.

If Everton can add some more creative players, hitting more than 20 goals a season could be easily in Richarlison’s grasp.