This has been a torrid old summer for Everton Football Club as they strive to pick up the rubble following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.
Rafa Benitez is now at the helm but with his association to the red side of Merseyside in mind, he’s had a difficult start to life at Goodison Park.
What’s the word?
The Spanish coach has so far had to make do with cheaper signings in the transfer window while he’s also had to deal with the threat of star players leaving.
James Rodriguez looks as though he could join AC Milan while Richarlison had even fielded a phone call from Ancelotti about a move to Real Madrid.
However, the Brazilian should be staying at the Toffees this summer after Fabrizio Romano provided an exciting update on his future during a Twitch stream.
Asked whether there was a chance that Richarlison could end up in Madrid, he simply replied; “No.”
Fans buzzing
With Everton not looking likely to spend big this summer, holding onto one of their most vibrant attacking players was of utmost importance.
Richarlison had a difficult end to the season, scoring just once in his final 12 matches and failing to assist a goal at club level in the entire of 2021.
However, his form during the ongoing Olympics has proved exactly why he’s such a talented player and why Everton must keep him at all costs.
During Brazil’s opening match, the striker scored a fantastic hat-trick for his country against Germany. Richarlison has since scored two more goals, meaning he now leads the pack in the race for the Golden Boot.
An incredibly tricky player, no individual in an Everton shirt recorded more than his 1.8 successful dribbles per match last term.
He was also the club’s second top scorer behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, proving just how important the forward could be to Benitez this season.
Richarlison has the tendency to be a frustrating figure but on his day, he is a first-class talent, someone who can scare Premier League defenders to death.
Consequently, fans should be delighted that he’s set to stay put in Merseyside.