This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

Everton have failed to fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku in 2017. The lethal powerhouse may not have won over the entirety of the club's fanbase, but it's impossible to argue with a goal scoring record that makes him the club's all time top Premier League goalscorer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun haven't showcased enough quality to suggest they are capable of filling the void left by the Belgium international.

It is, after all, an incredibly tall order to fill the boots of such a clinical centre forward.

While inconsistency has become a notable feature of his time in the Premier League so far, Richarlison is the one attacker residing within the Toffees' ranks who looks most likely to provide the level of potency that followed Lukaku to Manchester.

Everton legend Duncan Ferguson - a man who knows what it takes to thrive on Merseyside - has praised Richarlison and he believes he is getting better with age.

The Brazil international is currently in a bit of rut having scored just two goals in the Premier League this season.

What makes this all the more concerning is the fact both goals came in the same game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, meaning the Brazilian has failed to score in eight league games out of nine.

But Ferguson has suggested that his dry spell isn't a major cause for concern and he will continue to improve over time.

Ferguson told The Athletic: “Richarlison is getting better as he gets older.

“Coaching helps but every player improves with age too. You’re better at 21 than when you’re 19.

"Lukaku was the same."

Being compared to a striker of Lukaku's ilk is a compliment in itself for Richarlison, but his haul of 13 league goals last season proves that it's justified. By comparison, Lukaku scored just 10 league goals in his first full season as a permanent Everton employee, a fact that underlines the scale of the 22-year-old's achievement in the most recent campaign.

Over time, especially with coaches like Ferguson working alongside him, Richarlison could turn out to be an elite forward. Silva should consider playing him down the middle more often, with the form of Theo Walcott and Bernard finally clicking on the wings against West Ham last time out.

Silva is in desperate need of goals still, as the club still languish in 15th after the West Ham win, but perhaps the answer to his problem is standing right in front of him.

Everton have sorely missed Lukaku in the past two years, but Ferguson's quotes suggest Richarlison could blossom into the lethal goal scorer they need in the coming years.