Prince Rupert's Tower
Fansided

Richarlison should continue in centre for Everton

By Matt Townsend

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Ozan Kabak of Liverpool battles for possession with Richarlison of Everton during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 20, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Ozan Kabak of Liverpool battles for possession with Richarlison of Everton during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 20, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

As thoughts and attention turns away from last Saturday’s win to a Monday night match against Southampton, Everton forward Richarlison is coming into form at just the right time.

Richarlison has had a difficult season so far and his goal tally is way off the pace he set in the first two seasons of his Everton career when he netted thirteen times in the Premier League in both campaigns.

We’ve discussed this before and why it might have happened. His move to a wider left-wing position at the start of the season in Carlo Ancelotti’s new-look team and the fall-out from his Goodison derby sending off, both seem to have contributed to his goal drought.

This was becoming an issue of some concern particularly when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early-season goal spree dried up in December and he was then injured as well.

So the Brazilian was under some pressure before the Toffees FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park.

Richarlison responded with his best match of the season in terms of goals as he netted twice in that breathless 5-4 win. His second goal in particular was very much typical of him as he fired in an instinctive half-volley left-footed from a wide position.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

Then came the Merseyside derby at Anfield and a a chance to redeem himself perhaps after the madness of the earlier game this season and that reckless red card.

Calvert-Lewin had been absent from the team and was a doubt until Ancelotti revealed he was fit again to play in the derby.

But on the day Ancelotti sprung a tactical surprise opting to play Richarlison at centre-forward with James Rodriguez playing off him linking the midfield and attack.

It worked a treat and the Brazilian got the Blues opener and had an excellent match running all through the game and provided Everton with a vital outlet in what was a real centre-forward’s display.

Now moving forward it seems clear that Richarlison should continue to play up front alongside Calvert-Lewin in a return to something like the way they played together last season.

Although I ideally favour a 4-3-3 formation, it doesn’t seem to really suit Richarlison who appears to be much more comfortable in the sort of system we saw last weekend.

Hopefully if he does play up front, this will help the Brazil international fully recover his previous form and help fire the Toffees to a European place or possibly even a trophy..?