Everton’s former Director of Football Marcel Brands has revealed that he could see straight away the potential of Richarlison when he brought him to the club in 2018.
The Brazilian international joined the Blues from Watford for an initial fee of £35 million, but Brands insists that there was an acceptance that Goodison Park would not be his final destination.
Brands said, “He has everything to be a top striker. He was our number one target as a striker. You knew with him: Everton is not going to be his end station. We bought him at the time for a lot of money, but I never saw that as a risk.”
Registering 53 goals in 152 appearances for Everton between 2018 and 2022, Richarlison became a fan favourite amongst Evertonians, and it didn’t take the Brazilian long to impress former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti when he arrived at Goodison Park in December 2019.
Brands continued, “He was so eager to score a goal, which was unprecedented. I remember (Carlo) Ancelotti saying to me after a couple of training sessions: ‘Gosh, how Richarlison can head, what timing.’”
The 25-year-old’s £60 million move to Antonio Conte’s Spurs in the summer saw the attacker fulfil his ambition of playing Champions League football, with his performances for Brazil so far in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar catching the attention of the footballing media. Indeed, linked with a switch to Real Madrid, Richarlison could once again link up with ex-Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Indeed, there is little doubt that the forward was Marcel Brands’ best purchase during his three-year stint as Everton’s Director of Football, and the Dutchman insists that Richarlison’s off the field behaviour is exemplary, just like his playing attributes.
The current PSV Eindhoven Director of Football stated, “He is also a boy who behaves respectfully. When I left Everton, he thanked me for my support.”
Richarilison’s Brazil recently progressed to the World Cup Round of 16, where they will meet South Korea on Monday.
Will we see another performance like his virtuoso display against Serbia?