Which Everton forward should replace Richarlison

Almost lost among all the chaos and controversy of Saturday’s Merseyside derby, is the fact that Everton forward Richarlison is out for three games following a red card for his reckless challenge on Thiago.

I say almost, because obviously it was an important moment in the game and was nearly followed by Everton conceding what would surely have been the winning goal from Jordan Henderson’s strike, but for the intervention of VAR.

Richarlison’s sending off leaves the Toffees without their Brazilian forward for the upcoming Premier League matches against Southampton, Newcastle United and Manchester United.

The Brazilian’s petulance and occasional stupidity have been aspects of his game that appeared to be becoming less of an issue under Carlo Ancelotti. He seemed to have reigned in that part of his personality to concentrate on honing his footballing ability.

While you don’t want him to lose the aggression and physical commitment, the kind of behaviour that got him sent off in the derby isn’t helpful to his teams cause and needs to stop.

As we’ve said before, there isn’t another forward who can actually replace everything Richarlison offers. Although he hasn’t been in the greatest form in the past few games and didn’t play that well against Liverpool, he was still a threat and of course, hit the post.

But at his best he offers terrific pace, powerful and incisive running and a constant goal threat. He was also becoming a more creative player too.

Richarlison is a great outlet for James Rodriguez as well, who likes to ping passes out to him from the right. Now the Blues have to find someone to replace him for those upcoming fixtures.

The obvious candidates are Alex Iwobi, Bernard and Anthony Gordon. Iwobi came on during the game on Saturday and did well enough providing a decent attacking alternative. He showed a few moments of good skill and is perhaps the obvious replacement.

The ex-Arsenal man divides opinion amongst Everton supporters. Many don’t think he has the qualities to be an effective attacking player. I’ve always felt there is a good player in him who can add something to the Toffees attack.

It is sometimes difficult to identify what he brings to a game. Iwobi is a powerfully built player with decent speed and the ability to carry the ball strongly. However, his final pass is not consistent and he doesn’t score enough, often finishing tamely.

Bernard has not had many chances in the Premier League and has had to be content with Carabao Cup appearances. He’s done well in those matches showing his technical skill and passing ability. I think though he is better suited to playing in midfield rather than up front.

As for Gordon, like Bernard he has played in the Blues Carabao Cup games and acquitted himself decently. Gordon is not as quick or as direct a runner as Iwobi or as accomplished a passer as Bernard, but he’s a skillful forward and can also can create and score goals.

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There is another much more unlikely option and that’s Niels Nkounkou. The young French teenager bought in from Marseilles has impressed everyone with his ability, maturity and self-confidence.

He too has been in excellent form in the league cup matches and has stepped up superbly and with unexpected speed to his new team and surroundings.

Nkounkou is nominally a left-back, however he has great attacking qualities.

He’s got real pace, is a powerful, dynamic player and offers plenty of skill, putting in many very good balls when he was overlapping and attacking, which he enjoys doing. In fact I think his future might be as a wide attacking player.

It’s of course highly unlikely that Carlo Ancelotti will consider giving him a chance, but having such a talented and composed young player is a nice option to consider. I don’t think his time is now but I feel sure he should be given a first-team chance sooner rather than later.