Keeping Richarlison Key to Euro Dream

by Gary McCarty | 20/05/2021

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Everton look set to have a job on their hands to keep hold of Richarlison this summer, with the Brazilian forward again being linked with a move away from Goodison Park.

The Toffees harbour the same ambition as the South American to feature in the Champions League, and keeping hold of the 24-year-old could be vital in the club's hopes of reaching the elite competition.

Richarlison Can Find Form Again

It's fair to say the former Watford star has struggled with form at times in the Premier League this season, with the majority of his goals coming in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. However, the Brazil international has not been alone in that regard for Everton, who are 100/1 in the Premier League betting to win the title next season. Many players dropped off towards the business end of the campaign, but it's forwards who often bore the brunt of the criticism when the goals dry up.

There is no doubting that, on his day, Richarlison is a player who can win you games in the Premier League. It's for that reason the former Fluminense attacker has been linked with moves away from Merseyside this summer. La Liga giants Barcelona were just one club being linked with his services early in the year, and there are bound to be other interested parties. While his form has been inconsistent this year, there is enough in the player to suggest he is worth keeping, and that he could be a key piece of the puzzle for Everton next season.

Ancelotti With a Job on His Hands

Carlo Ancelotti convinced Richarlison to remain at Goodison Park for the 2020-21 season, and it looks like the experienced manager will have to offer the player more assurances this summer. Richarlison put pen to paper on a new five-year contract at Everton in December 2019, so the club are in a strong position with regards to the player's future.

Richarlison has previously said he would “sit down and talk” if a “good proposal arrives” from another club. It's hardly the frame of mind a club wants to hear from one of its top assets, but Everton will look to make the right decision for the side this summer. If Richarlison sees the club are set to make significant improvements in the transfer window, it will only increase the chances of him staying.

Everton showed at the start of the season that they are capable of putting winning runs together, and challenging at the top end of the table. Three or four strong additions over the summer could be the difference in turning the team from a top-half-of-the-table side to one that can really challenge for those top-four places.

With attackers like Richarlison, James Rodriguez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, there is the foundation for success in this Everton side. The Brazilian's future will be a divisive topic over the coming months, with some possibly feeling the club could be better cashing in. However, a player of his quality would be hard to replace, and a consistent Richarlison could be the key to ending the wait for Champions League football next season.

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