MY ACCOUNT
Richarlison could be entering his final few months in the blue of Everton.
The Brazilian is a man in demand — and the Toffees’ sticky season will not help their case when it comes to keeping hold of him.
But where might he end up if he does leave Goodison Park this summer?
As Frank Lampard prepares his team for tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Boreham Wood, we ponder the future of Everton’s No7.
Stepping up to the plate
Richarlison rather petered out last season. In his last 13 appearances, he managed just one goal — the winner against Wolves in Everton’s final home game of the campaign.
While he did score 13 times in all competitions, only seven of those came in the Premier League. That is a significant drop off from the 13 strikes he registered in the two previous campaigns, despite playing a similar number of minutes.
His four league goals this term mean his strike rate per 90 minutes is approximately the same (0.26 vs 0.22) but in a team that has struggled more than in previous seasons.
For much of the last few months, Richarlison has been the focal point of the Toffees’ attack in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence — and he has not appeared burdened by that added responsibility.
The next step
Turning 25 in May, Richarlison ought to be coming into his prime years and it could be time to take his career to the next level.
While early performances under Lampard suggest that Everton should have enough to avoid relegation, they are likely to remain a work in progress next season.
It would certainly be a surprise if the Merseysiders were challenging for Champions League qualification any time soon.
And that could well be one of the deciding factors for Richarlison, as he considers his future.
He has never played in Europe’s elite competition and will want an opportunity to challenge himself against the best in the business.
Crossing the channel?
Of the clubs Richarlison has been linked with over the past six months or so, rumours of a move to Paris Saint-Germain have perhaps been the strongest.
And such a switch would give the 32-cap international Champions League football — but how much of it?
Les Parisiens could easily still have all of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mauro Icardi in their attacking ranks next season.
Richarlison’s ability to play across the front line might prove largely redundant with that kind of talent in the way.
As things stand, it is hard to envisage him being much more than a bit-part player in Paris.
London link
Arsenal were reported to be interested in Richarlison in December — and that feels like a more realistic move for the Nova Venecia native.
After all, the Gunners are bound to be in the market for a new striker in the summer having offloaded Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the winter window.
Alexandre Lacazette has enjoyed a resurgence of late but looks set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. In many ways, Richarlison combines the Frenchman’s physicality with the guile of Aubameyang.
The only potential stumbling block could be the asking price, with Everton said to have rejected an £85million bid from Barcelona two years ago.
Legendary status
Could comments from Richarlison earlier this season hint that his future might in fact lie at Goodison Park?
In an interview with Everton’s official website in October, he said: “Everton is the English club that put its faith in me, together with [previous club] Watford.
“That’s why I dedicate myself so much for the shirt. Everton paid a lot of money to sign me, they gambled on me and trusted me and I have to repay this on the pitch.
“I’m focused here, this is where my head is, I want to help Everton meet their targets and make everybody happy.
“What I want most of all, is to become a legend here.”
If he truly does want to achieve that, the Toffees’ star man might have to stick around for a little while longer yet.
