3 Everton key clashes at Tottenham Hotspur: Richarlison vs. Toby Alderweireld

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 14: The Tottenham Hotspur and Everton club crests on their first team home shirts on May 14, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 14: The Tottenham Hotspur and Everton club crests on their first team home shirts on May 14, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus)
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Everton
Everton’s Brazilian striker Richarlison (C) turns against Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh defender Ben Davies (R) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on November 3, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Richarlison is expected to spearhead the Everton attack against a Spurs defence lead by Toby Alderweireld.

1. Richarlison vs Toby Alderweireld

Richarlison: the talisman, the assassin, the saviour. If Everton are to stand a chance of European qualification this season, Richarlison will have to be in the form of his life. We simply can’t conquer our goals unless we have a firing Richarlison.

As for Sunday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur, Richarlison will go against the defence line marshalled by Toby Alderweireld. Richarlison will be accompanied by Dominic Calvert-Lewin but much of the threat is expected to come from the Brazilian.

There’s a reason why I called him the saviour. Last season, Richarlison was the man who saved us from embarrassment in a mediocre season. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has faith in the 23 year old and hopes that he reaches new milestones this season.

"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. He’s still young but he has a lot of quality, a lot of character. 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 qualities. He’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. (via Liverpool Echo)"

Richarlison quite frankly is the heart of the team and if he has a bad day, Everton has a bad day. He will be going against the fierce Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham. The Belgian gives a steady and reassuring presence in the heart of the defence, something that Mourinho would be pleased about.

He doesn’t refrain from putting meaty challenges and can halt the Richarlison Express with his brave challenges.  His presence at the back gives assurances to full backs like Serge Aurier to bomb forward because Alderweireld will have it covered. Everton will hope for the Belgian to have a bad day at the office so Richarlison can make the most out of it.