Seasons2021-22Everton News
Richarlison puts himself in contention for season-opener

The Brazilian is flying back from international duty at the Tokyo Olympics with Brazil where he won a gold medal and is foregoing a holiday so that he can line up for Everton in their season opener at Goodison Park.
Richarlison's presence will be a significant boost to Rafael Benitez who was sweating on the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker missed the friendly against Manchester United on Saturday with a toe problem but he is expected to be fit to play as well.
Richarlison went straight to South America at the end of last season to prepare of the Copa America where Brazil went all the way to the final before being beaten by Argentina.
He then travelled to the Far East and was involved to the end there as his country prevailed in the Olympic final over Spain.
Reader Comments (36)
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2 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:02:57
3 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:04:54
Last season was bad enough at home without fans, the place needs to be rocking until the roof comes off and every last man needs to get behind the manager and players from the off.
4 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:05:15
5 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:06:23
6 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:08:04
7 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:12:38
8 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:13:36
I can see a long injury lay-off coming and in truth my own preference is for him to take a holiday.
9 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:14:25
But he needs managing. You could look at it as if he's had a really tough, competitive preseason. He comes in, meets the manager, does some stretching, light ball work, shooting, works on tactics, positioning etc - that's it.
He seems naturally fit, probably in peak condition but that's when injuries can easily be picked up.
Put him on the bench, 10 minutes at the end, maybe.
10 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:18:35
11 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:23:35
But if you watch him in a game, he always puts in his sprints.
Rafa is a professional, Degree in Sports Physiology, he was ahead of his time. An academic in work Physiology.
He and his team will assess Richie,I think he might start on the bench, depends how he is, jet-lag etc.
One of the fittest forwards in the world.
Let's hope he lights up the Old Lady and we take 3 points.
Thanks Richie
12 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:24:24
13 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:32:55
14 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:34:41
I don't think he has had much of a break in the last 2 years and it certainly showed last season. No player, no matter how good they are, can play continually without a proper break and a good rest; it will tell on them.
15 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:58:55
Certainly proper rest will be crucial, but a standing ovation please for his motivation and commitment to the club (which were criticized here, I believe)!
The ideal outcome would be for Kean to similarly commit and develop into a strong third striker to allow for the appropriate rotation up front... providing rest for both Rich and Dom.
16 Posted 10/08/2021 at 21:18:34
Well, fingers crossed if this is true. I still expect he'll either need a long rest now, or he'll falter enough towards the half-way point to need a rest later!
If we can keep him on his current morale, I'll be ecstatic!
17 Posted 10/08/2021 at 21:42:25
We still have to get rid of Delph, Siggy, Gomes, Iwobi, Tosun, James and maybe Kean.
Delph might want to go to Leeds but Bielsa don't want him so he stays for the year.
Siggy, will surely have played his last game for us.
Gomes should get some interest as he's still relatively young. Painfully slow, he is.
Same goes for Iwobi even if I really question everybody who think he is of any value to any football team at any level. When I heard we were interested in him I just hoped (let this be one of those rumors) but no he truly arrived with a ridiculous money when Arsenal should have paid us for having him. He does all the bad things his uncle (Jay-Jay Ococha) used to do while not doing the great stuff.
Tosun is a good finisher, but not fast enough for a PL striker and injury-prone also. I hope Besiktas will take him inthe winter window but I suspect they will wait until the summer to get him for free.
The legacy of Big Sam: Walcott and Tosun.
James is excellent on his day, but too a luxury player for us at this time so he must go.
Kean could be good but it looks like he does not want to play for Everton. Then there is not much you can do but sell the guy.
It hurts me to say it but Tom Davies is not good enough. He's too slow and loses the ball way too often. So many backward passes and no vision.
Gbamin might never be fit again, so we desperately need one or two in midfield.
Gana back from PSG would be fine if possible.
I watched the Community shield match the other day and Leicester were good, they were everything we are not at this time: Mobile at the center of the field. City, with their flair players, could not break them down. Of course, there were absentees at both sides but
Leicester have done in ten years what we should have done and although they are a much smaller team they seem much bigger right now.
To be honest, the 10th is probably best we can hope for and it could get a lot worse, even14-16.
But it all depends on how the season starts, can we offload those we don't need and get some new faces in.
There is a good core in the team but they need the confidence now. If the first game goes awry the crowd will go against the manager first and then against the team.
18 Posted 10/08/2021 at 21:57:28
Japan is on the Amber List.
Unless he is coming back directly from Japan and not going back to Brasil, he will have to do 10 days in a hotel.
Not sure he is going to be playing unless these rules only apply to people earning below £70000 per week.
19 Posted 10/08/2021 at 22:14:12
20 Posted 10/08/2021 at 22:20:43
21 Posted 10/08/2021 at 22:29:17
Pickford
Coleman Mina Godfrey Digne
Doucoure James Allan
Gray Kean Richie
Plenty of runners for James to aim for.
22 Posted 10/08/2021 at 23:09:03
23 Posted 10/08/2021 at 00:10:07
I'd be surprised if Tosun plays for ANY club this season. He's on a "maybe by X-mas" in his recovery. No club will come in for him, especially with a half-season left in the last year of a 50K per week contract. We just have the ride that one out.
As to Kean. He stays. There's no big money offers out there and he is a talent. He wants to leave, which no one in here knows, OK fair enough. It happens. Let him bust his ass this season for us, which will make other clubs take a real interest in signing him next Summer.
24 Posted 11/08/2021 at 02:35:02
25 Posted 11/08/2021 at 03:00:45
Gary @ #21. Generally a good look to your suggested starting line-up. Just wondering, though, about the speed and strength in MF. Maybe a time to go 3-4-3 perhaps???
26 Posted 11/08/2021 at 03:01:17
27 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:23:55
28 Posted 11/08/2021 at 14:18:26
Just make sure he gets a good rest over the next international break.
29 Posted 11/08/2021 at 15:35:47
30 Posted 11/08/2021 at 15:47:09
I'm guessing a mid-season rest is likely, possibly over an international break.
31 Posted 11/08/2021 at 16:46:05
"Brands said a few words to acknowledge Richarlison's achievement before the Brazilian ace gave a short speech in English!"
"Ta la"?
32 Posted 11/08/2021 at 16:52:39
33 Posted 11/08/2021 at 17:06:27
34 Posted 11/08/2021 at 17:21:44
I've seen Neymar sprint with the ball 50 yards, get tackled, roll around, get up and sprint back 30 yards to try and win the ball back.
In that same game, Kean watched on, jogged back 15 yards and stood still. 20 seconds later the ball came near him and he just waited.. waited.. and nothing.
He's got potential, but does he have the desire to use it and do the hard work?
I'm still of the opinion we sell and buy a hungrier, attacking team player. What would Brooks cost at Bournemouth, £20M?
35 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:33:46
I'm sure injuries or fatigue will come soon enough, he can have his rest then.
36 Posted 12/08/2021 at 11:45:41
If he gets off to a flyer at least he will have been better than last season.. . .
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1 Posted 10/08/2021 at 20:01:02
We need to plan a break for him. I propose he has a break in the schedule for the League Cup 3rd Round and the weekends scheduled for the FA Cup 4th and 5th Rounds!!!!