Richarlison – Cult hero or just another player?

In recent years, when you look at the squad we have had some good players, some okay players and some absolute shocking players, but not many that in my opinion have known what it means to represent Everton, other than Richarlison.

When Richarlison was signed in August 2018, Paul Merson claimed Everton had “spoiled transfer window” by signing the Brazilian for a reported £40M, but after scoring twice on his debut at Wolves, the Evertonians instantly found love for the Brazilian and last season with Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing a majority of the season, Evertonians needed someone that would fight for the badge and give 100% until the end, and Richarlison did just that. Even getting his song, that was sung by Evertonians tattooed on his neck.

Before Frank Lampard took over on deadline day in January, Richarlison only had 3 goals to his name and after the defeat to Liverpool and the club in a relegation battle, he took to Instagram and told Evertonians.

“I promise we will get out of this situation” 

In the very next game at home to Chelsea, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win before leading the line in a 2-1 win away at Leicester the week after. Survival looked like it was happening, but a 0-0 draw at already relegated Watford and a 3-2 loss at home to Brentford, Everton needed 3 points vs Crystal Palace to avoid a final day showdown and in an interview with FourFourTwo [via LiverpoolEcho], Richarlison has opened up about that week.

“In the week leading up to that match, I left a training session early with a thigh injury. I couldn’t walk, and the doctor helped me to get off the pitch.

“The scan showed a Grade 2 injury. I was desperate, crying with pain and sorrow about having to miss such a crucial match. I started praying to God, and taking medicines to try to recover in time.

“I took around 10 anti-inflammatory pills until the game came, and an injection. I was injured, but I couldn’t miss this key game. Somehow I managed to recover.

“If you look back at the celebrations for the third goal, I dived on to the grass because I couldn’t run to celebrate with my team-mates – my legs couldn’t move any more. The sacrifice proved my love and gratitude for Everton. It was an unbelievable night.

Richarlison went on to make over 150 appearances in all competitions for Everton managing 53 goals and 14 assists, before moving down South to play Champions League football for Tottenham Hotspur in a £60M move, and the media have since tried to break the relationship between Richarlison and Evertonians by taking his comments out of context, but knowing that he gave everything he had to keep Everton in the league and played despite his injury, no one can question his loyalty to the club.

Yes, he has moved on, but for me and many Evertonians he deserves to play Champions League football, we all wished it was in an Everton shirt but after years of failure and mismanagement in the boardroom, no one can blame him for leaving.

For me, he is up there alongside Duncan Ferguson and Kevin Campbell. Two players who when I grew up I idolised because one epitomised what it meant to play for Everton and the other single-handedly kept Everton in the league and for me Richarlison did both of those when called upon last season.

What do you think? What do you make to Richarlison’s comments?

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