In Praise of Richarlison!

Ancelotti and Brands have to buy midfield quality to regenerate this team, and give Richarlison hope for the future.

Brands said he will target 3 quality players, these will determine our immediate future.

I think this summer transfer window is a watershed, get some quality players in and get into the top 6 next year. Failing in that will see our best player wanting out. The temptation of Barcelona or others will be far too much to resist.

The worst possible scenario is Barca or another CL club offers 100m + their deadwood next month. We lose our best and start player and get dead wood in return that doesn't want t be here and is unmotivated. Then the cash will be spunked again on top 6 deadwood like Lingard or some Arsenal cast off.

We have to hold him to his contract for next season and tell him to give Carlo a chance to build something. Carlo hasn't signed a player yet and the best we can hope for is a rejuvenated Ancelotti team next season with a fantastic new midfield.

He is constantly doing the following:

1. Trying to win free kicks by exaggerating slight contact. Referees rarely fall for this, they love to show that they haven't, and they are far less inclined to give genuine fouls if they know the player does this.
2. Deliberately taking the ball into areas where he will be fouled rather than finding teammate. This is not in and around the box, where it would be a good thing, but in midfield where the set pieces aren't dangerous.
3. Letting us know he's ‘hurt, but bravely carrying on.'
4. Getting visibly upset at the rough treatment handed out to him by opposing defenders. These last two encourage the defenders and let them know they're getting the better of him.

He can do even more for the team with some really simple wising up and toughening up. This might take a 30 minute conversation and a conscious decision, not exactly a difficult thing to do. If the club want to pay me a coach's salary I'll pop round and do it myself.

He needs to look like he enjoys the rough stuff. He needs to stay on his feet until it's impossible not to, get up with a smile on his face if the defenders want to get heavy, and dish out some of the nudges and body contacts that Calvert-Lewin is becoming adept at.

He's got so much in his locker, but he hands over advantages to defenders and bad referees. I'm flabbergasted that no-one at the club has worked on this because it never seems to change.

It is an absudisgrace and a dereliction of duty that referees are allowing this to go on. It's only a matter of time before the lad is put in hospital.

Against Tottenham it was blatantly obvious that Mourinho had briefed his players to foul Richarlison out of the game. Last night there was more of the same.

Managers will think it's a free hit to take him out now every game.

The referees have been a disgrace to allow this, and ourselves for not complaining about it as aggressively as possible. Any other club whose star player is getting cut down would go mental on the ref. Our lads react like a librarian who has seen someone put a book on the wrong shelf.

However, my points above are clearer examples of things we can do. If I was an opposing manager I'd be telling my players to target him because I know it'd work. Richarlison needs to be the kind of player who it's not worth targeting because it won't affect him. He needs to stop trying to buy cheap free kicks by going down easily, because far from buying cheap free kicks, he's costing himself real ones because referees write him off as someone who goes down easily.

Again, this is a 20 minute conversation and maybe a slight adaptation to training that should make a massive difference to what happens on the pitch.

Incidentally, another plus point on Calvert-Lewin's growing list yesterday was how he went over as team ‘enforcer' when Stephens was trying to bully Richarlison. He picked up a yellow for it, which was harsh as Stephens got nothing, presumably because the appalling Lee Mason wouldn't have had the bottle to give him a second yellow.

How come our players have to tread more carefully than others by not falling over or not aiming kicks at opponents whilst the so-called big clubs get away with diving, feigning injury, deliberately injuring others and any other 'cheating' device you can think of.

Perhaps, our players are fully aware of all of this favouritism shown towards the chosen teams and that's why they can't be bothered putting the effort in. Considering the lack of challenges our players generally put in - they gather a ridiculous amount of yellow cards compared to many other Premier League clubs.

It was hoped that VAR would clean up the game but it has become apparent that it is making things worse and favouring those who employ cheating tactics.

How long will Richarlison remain at Goodison if he feels he's not being protected on the pitch and realises that if he plied his trade elsewhere he could be free from the brutal treatment he has received in the last few matches.

Spot on. It's absolute nonsense to say he is at risk of getting a serious injury. He is at no more risk than anyone else on a football pitch. What is happening is he is getting clipped, fouled repeatedly (not seriously), which then sees him scream, roll over and we are then a man down until the physio has run on with the magic sponge and then he makes a recovery like Lazarus.

He has had a good season, I've got no issues with his performances. But we were all saying this last season. He needs to toughen up. Opposition teams are aware of this weakness he has - teams are simply going to carry on doing what Spurs and Southampton have done. How do you nullify Richarlison? Clip his ankles, give him a nudge in the back etc. This is currently taking him out of every game for 7/8 minutes. Why wouldn't opposition teams do this?

However, I do really believe that we have seen a big improvement from Richarlison about feigning injuries this season - I do believe that the pendulum has swung the other way big time. Opposition players think that they can kick him and foul him and the referees won't penalise them because "Oh, it is that actor – Richarlison".

The referee's job is to officiate in an unbiased way and be true to what they see in front of their eyes, not what happened in the past. I am surprised that Carlo has not yet brought this up in any of his recent press conferences - I think he would be justified to. I can't imagine Mourinho or Klopp or Pep being quiet about their top player being kicked around like Richarlison does.

Unfortunately I can remember doing this many moons ago playing as a fullback! In those days it was considered as “part of the game” and football boots gave more protection than they do today.

If referees had ever played a decent game of football rather than study the rule book to get their badges, they would know this. They would also be able to make better decisions about VAR.

I don't blame Richarlison at all for showing how much it hurts when he suffers this type of tackle. Get someone to stamp down on your foot when you are wearing crocs and see how much it hurts!

Let's see who Carlo brings in. If there is no quality service, Richarlison will be off next summer... let's enjoy him whilst he is here.

On top of that, we need a midfield that works all over the field rather than specializing in being defensive, holding, or playing wide and takes away the need for Richarlison to do as much chasing back as he does.

Will we be able to keep hold of him? That is the name of the game: keep your best and improve the rest.

Defenders don't need to be told anything by their managers. They're kicking Richarlison down because it's the best way they can stop him. And let's acknowledge that he is getting some calls from refs. It's not all one way.

Allison and Broderick. You both forgot to include, "Why back in my day, when it was a man's game..."

We keep hearing what a decent and nice guy Carlo is. Haven't we had enough of that type? Delusional Martinez and passive Koeman. Time to join the mind games, Carlo, and question all injustices and start protecting the club a bit more.

I seem to remember Fabian Delph getting sent off for his second foul – that was less than what the Southampton player deserved for pushing an opposition player.

It annoys me when commentators go on about Grealish being fouled all the time and yet, when Richarlison gets absolutely mulleted by Ward Prowse 4 times (and he never even got a yellow once) and nothing is said, it just shows you the contempt for our club and players.

Stephens targeted Richarlison verbally and squared up to him a few times during the game. I imagine it was a preconceived tactic, especially considering the way Adam Smith managed to get Richarlison sent off against Bournemouth last season.

Richarlison deserves credit for not getting wound up, and Calvert-Lewin did a good job of noticing and protecting his team-mate.

And I only stopped playing 5 years ago.

Yes, his reputation is making that easier for the majority of cowardly Premier League refs but, in my opinion, there has been a big change in how vicious and repetitive the constant kicks Richarlison is getting are becoming.

My only thought was what was going through Richarlison's mind after we went 2 down and he had spent the whole time chasing shadows. At one point, he was on camera shaking his head.

Was he thinking “Is this what I have to look forward to next season?” And “What would it be like to play for a team that gets more possession and has players that can give me the ball in dangerous positions?”

This is possible, but who will want to come to replace him, unless part of a deal.

What a sad state of affairs this wretched club is.

Not sure he is quite ready to be bracketed with the leagues top marksman either. He's not even the top scorer here is he ?

Not even our top scorer. Which is a bit disappointing when you think he has played as many games in the same team as a guy often described as championship at best

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Davies Holgate Gordon
DCL Kean Richarlison

At least then we have players like Davies and Gordon who will be thinking about getting forward to support the attackers. DCL and Richie can be told to track back and close down. We can try to put our opponent on the back foot for a change, something haven't seen for ages.

Richie is far from a great player, IMO, goes down plenty of blind alleys, plays like he's got blinkers on, passing when he should shoot and shooting when he could pass, but he is still learning, like Dominic, who gets most of the flack.

However they have scored twenty five goals between them while still relatively young and could lead our forward line for the next five or six years, let's get behind the two of them instead of overpraising one of them, again in my opinion, and giving too much stick to the other.

Richarlison and Digne in my opinion are the only two players I would have any interest in keeping this summer.

To be honest I couldn't give a toss if they sold DCL tomorrow.

As for you not giving a toss if Dominic was sold, well that is your call, fair enough, I think you'd be surprised at the number of premier league clubs who would be interested in signing him, and I doubt he would come cheap.

Well I hope they hurry up and buy him to be honest.

Maybe I will be proven wrong but I just don't rate him. He's a hard worker and has got pace but that's about it for me.

I've been told by people on this site over the last year or so that Tom Davies is a potential future England captain, Iwobi was not a panic buy and has very good distribution in the final third, Mina is one of the most dominant central defenders in the league and DCL is one of the most sought after young strikers in European football etc etc.

I'm just amazed with all this talent that we are were we are as a club at present.

Maybe it's because these players aren't as great as many people seem to think and in fact they are at best bang average.

As I've said before this club needs a massive clear out (unfortunately it won't happen any time soon) otherwise we will continue to be left behind by the clubs who use to be our equals.

You don't think Firminho will start for Brazil?

Richarlison is a different matter. He scores difficult goals and makes goals out of nothing. Our current shitness worries me. It is possibly only COVID-19 that will keep him on our books for the 2020-21 season.

You couldn't make this shit up.

Dave A is right of course, both should be supported, but by making himself a 㿞M+ player, Calvert-lewin has already made a mug out of some and they will not forgive him for it.

Nor is “number of goals scored” the only metric to measure a player's contribution.

Nor has the author (or anyone on this thread) called DCL “championship standard at best”.

Nor is the thread about DCL. Nonetheless, aside from one poster who couldn't care if he's sold, there's been plenty of praise for DCL.

t's almost - ALMOST- like praising one player and attacking another (young / homegrown / English) player are not mutually exclusive.

Welcome back. Hope you had a nice sabbatical.

There are two posters on this thread who have repeatedly called DCL championship at best. They wont deny it. They never miss an opportunity to have a dig. See if you can spot them

As for goals not being the only metric to judge a forward. When the OP compares a striker to the leagues top marksman. Then goals will most definitely be the metric used to.

It all comes down to the time honoured argument which has always come up with certain players: Is he a great scorer of goals or is he the scorer of great goals ? At this moment in time Richarlison may be one, but he definitely isn't the other.

I genuinely don't know which posters you mean but fair do's, I don't doubt you on it, and if that's your way of calling them out, then so be it. It just seemed bizarre to bring DCL into it.

I don't think the OP was basing it purely on goals scored. Richarlison is one of the few players we have who I would not want to see sold. DCL too, incidentally. I don't think either one of them are or will become great goal scorers.

The OP bracketed Richarlison with the league's top scorers. I simply pointed out he wasn't even our top scorer.

Don

The three subjects to make Darren blow a gasket – Say anything bad about Everton youth, David Unsworth or Big Dunc! lol ;)

You say you are wondering where we are in the league at the moment with all the talent we have? Come on, David, you know why. We have the poorest and weakest midfield in the Premier League.

Once that is considerably improved, both Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin will improve their goalscoring tally and become a pair that will take us forward. Dominic will get his England caps and increase his transfer fee, Richarlison will get more caps for Brazil, score more goals for them, but (in my opinion) will never become a world class player, it's just not in him.

I couldn't care less about England or Brazil at football, but those two players will do me for Everton.

When we had Lukaku, he wasn't good enough either. If we sold Calvert-Lewin and signed Mbappe and Gabriel Jesus, there'd probably be something wrong with them both.

David, 40, your list of positive things you've been told about our players just highlights how often you're on here slagging them off.

Or is Everton the exception because we are never near being top-four or Sky loved???

That's it exactly.

“Bracketed him with the league's top scorers”. The OP didn't claim he had scored more than anyone. Or mention Calvert-Lewin.

He said, “Richarlison is coming close to being an amazing all-round goalscorer.”

So yeah, you did bring Calvert-Lewin into it by making some reference to comments that two of your sparring partners have apparently made in the past about him, by drawing a comparison to Richarlison, based purely on goals scored.

It's all there in black and white in post #44. Anyway, I'll stop flogging this dead horse now.

I don't think we will loose Calvert-Lewin to Barca or another top Premier League team.

Richarlison is wasted at Everton and will continue to be without the support of better players. Calvert-Lewin tries hard but is lacking that bit of class and It's looking like Moise Kean and Walcott are not really favoured. We don't have any young guns ready to burst on the scene so Carlo has to look elsewhere.

Sadly, Richarlison will be looking to European soccer and, as Everton have failed miserably yet again, it won't be very long before a big team makes the right bid for him.

Hard to believe that even Burnley are likely to finish above Everton.

Everton will likely keep Calvert-Lewin for a few seasons more, as they did with Niasse, Sandro, Mirallas and Bolasie, as no other team thinks they are worth spending money on.

If you are going to tell blatant porkies, it's probably a good idea not to draw attention to it.

I did not bring Calvert-Lewin into this debate, he'd already been mentioned six times before the post 44.

As you say... it's all there in black and white.

Richarlison is the only player anywhere near his standard at Everton. The rest are way short. I doubt we'll be signing a striker in the summer and will remain mid-table or worse because of it.

No porkies. I did not say you were the first person to mention Calvert-Lewin on this thread. You only have to re-read my first post on the thread (#45) to see that I acknowledged others mentioned him (positively).

I did say that you brought a comparison between Calvert-Lewin's and Richarlison's goals scored, for this season, into the thread, to discredit the OP. In fact, you felt you needed to say it on three different posts before I posted at all.

I did also say that goals scored are not the only barometer of how good a player is, which is what the OP was saying.

I don't really want to “do a Jay Wood” here (although I am now starting to see how these debates ensue) and have to quote posts line by line. Just read back the chronological order of the thread. You're either misreading, misconstruing, or just missing the point.

Add Richarlison's tracking back and defensive duties... I don't think we overpaid for him like our expert thought we did! 㿔 million is a bargain!

Against a tough team to beat at home, I thought this was one of our best performances. Several players were at their best and Gomes looks like the player we saw glimpses of last year. Thought Keane and Branthwaite were very solid. Perhaps Branthwaite is our answer to a left-footed centre-back.