Everton succumbed to yet another defeat, their third in a row as Frank Lampard’s men seemed once again toothless and out of sync in the attack. Everton have failed to replace the threat Richarlison offered in the final third and that is hurting the Toffees badly when going forward.
The Brazilian had to be sold to avoid any FFP issues. With Richarlison leaving, there was a huge void to fill. Last season, Richarlison was Everton’s top scorer with 11 goals in 33 games, taking the majority of the goalscoring responsibility in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence. His departure meant that Everton had to go into the market and bring in an attacker capable of reproducing the goal threat and match the work rate that Richarlison provided to the Toffees.
After being linked for weeks to Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet and Dwight McNeil, the Merseysiders were finally able to secure the signature of one of their targets. McNeil joined the Blues on a five year deal, for a fee of around £20 million. McNeil is no Richarlison clone. He does offer technical abilities and shrewd defensive commitment but his goal threat and movement doesn’t make him a natural replacement.
In order to provide that goalscoring support, the Toffees also struck a deal with Brighton to sign Neal Maupay for £15 million. Neither of the signings were statement signings but they were decent buys that were needed in the squad.
Everton have struggled to replace the presence and goals of Richarlison
Both of the players have so far struggled to showcase their strengths consistently. McNeil did score a brilliant winner against Southampton, while Maupay helped clinch three points against West Ham United but they haven’t been much effective in the other games.
In the game against Tottenham Hotspur, McNeil contributed defensively but lacked in offering any threat in attack. Maupay had minimal service much of his time passed in just chasing the ball and trying to win the ball back.
McNeil started as a substitute last night against Newcastle United and came on for the final 10 minutes or so but couldn’t produce the bite that Everton were desperately looking for. Richarlison did have the ability to create goalscoring opportunities out of nothing and he did take chances in front of the goal.
In absence of Calvert-Lewin, Maupay is Everton’s best striking option and he too has found it difficult to score goals as he also has remained without any concrete support from the rest of the attackers. As things stand, Everton need to go into the January market and sign a reliable goal scorer or the attack will continue to suffer.
Will Everton sign a new attacker in January?