Richarlison’s Everton future: why it could be his final season at Goodison Park
Everton now boast an Olympic gold medalist in their ranks.
Richarlison was toasting glory in Tokyo last Saturday after Brazil were crowned champions following a 2-1 defeat of Spain after extra-time.
The striker played a pivotal role in helping his country achieve their success.
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Hide AdRicharlison scored five goals in six matches - including a hat-trick against Germany - to inspire Brazil to land the spoils.
But having tasted triumph on an international level, there may be fears around Goodison Park that the 24-year-old could see his future lying elsewhere.
Richarlison has been coveted by the some of superpowers of European football in the past and this summer’s been no different. Real Madrid have been the latest potential suitor to emerge, with ESPN reporting former Toffees boss Carlo Anceloti is keen to be reunited with the player.
After three years on Merseyside, scoring 42 goals in 119 appearances, the forward may eyeing a similar path to that walked by Idrissa Gueye and Romelu Lukaku, who left Everton to join Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United respectively.
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Hide AdThere is every chance the 2021-22 season could be Richarlison’s last on Merseyside.
At a glance: 5 key points
- Richarlison has established himself as a regular for Brazil this summer, helping his country reach the Copa America final before their Olympics victory.
- He joined Everton from Watford in July 2018 for a fee of up to £50 million.
- He signed a new five-year contract in December 2019, tying him down until the summer of 2024.
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Hide Ad- Barcelona made an £85 million bid just a month later, but it was firmly rebuffed.
- Manchester United have also shown interest in Richarlison in the past.
What’s been said
When it comes to his future ambitions, Richarlison has been frank about them.
While on international duty last October, the ex-Watford marksman admitted he has aspirations of playing in the Champions League - but promised to give Everton one more season.
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Hide AdHe said: “I spoke to Ancelotti and said that I have a dream of playing [in] the Champions League.
“He asked me to stay another year, to hold, that we’d get there. This year, reinforcements arrived and we started the Premier League with everything. Let’s see what happens.”
A year later and Everton are no closer to qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition and Ancelotti has left the club.
The Toffees finished a disappointing 10th in the Premier League last term and eight points outside the top four.
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Hide AdHeading into the latest campaign, starting at home against Southampton on Saturday, Evertonians are not expecting qualification for the Champions League.
Rafa Benitiez has arrived as Ancelotti’s replacement and the Spaniard has a significant squad rebuild he needs to undertake.
Everton must carefully negotiate financial fair play rules at the same time and as a consequence, supporters are resigned to the fact it will be a season of transition.
Olympic bargaining chip
While the Olympics proved a joyous occasion for Richarlison, his involvement has hardly been a benefit for Everton’s ambitions heading into the new season.
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Hide AdAfter making 40 appearances for the Toffees last term, the former Fluminense marksman hasn’t had a break all summer.
First he represented Brazil at the Copa America, playing in all seven of their games as they suffered heartbreak to Argentina in the final.
Then Richarlison jetted out to Tokyo to start every match of his country’s six matches en route to winning gold.
However, the fact the Toffees gave the green light for Richarlison to feature in the Olympics points towards a behind the scenes agreement of some sort.
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Hide AdBentiez previously admitted Richarlison has got to “give something back” to Everton for allowing him to play in not one, but two tournaments for Brazil over the summer.
And it looks like Richarlison is being true to his words. Reports suggest that he’s due to fly back to Merseyside this week and could feature in Everton’s Premier League opener against Southampton on Saturday.
Should that be the case, it will be a significant boost to Benitez’s plans - especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin a doubt with a toe injury.
It also augurs well if some sort of deal has been struck for Richarlison to stay for one final season having been allowed to compete at the Olympics.
Contract length
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Hide AdEverton are in a strong position when it comes to Richarlison’s contract.
Tied down until 2024, they currently hold the majority of the bargaining power should a rival club lodge a bid this summer.
They’ll be in a similar position in 12 months time also as Richarlison will have two years remaining on his current deal.
However, the Blues won’t want his contract to tick down any further.
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Hide AdAllowing that to happen will see Richarlison’s price deflate. If Everton allow him to have just 12 months left on his contract, there’s every chance potential suitors will park interest and look to snap him up on a free transfer when his deal expires.
Everton will want to sell when Richarlison’s price is at its pinnacle - and that could be next summer.
Lukaku precedent
Richarlison is entering his fourth season at Goodison.
And come the end of the campaign, it will be same amount of time Lukaku spent at Everton before he departed.
The Belgium international plundered a remarkable 68 goals in 141 outings before he left for Manchester United for £75 million in 2017.
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Hide AdSince leaving the Toffees, Lukaku has won Serie A with Inter Milan and is now poised to return to Chelsea where he’ll again challenge regularly for silverware.
Lukaku felt his time at Everton had run its natural cause. It provided him with the platform to establish himself as one of Europe’s premier forwards before moving on.
Richarlison could follow the same path as the former fans’ favourite.