Richarlison marked his return from injury by scoring against Watford on Saturday, and has told the Everton website ‘everything is in place’ for a prolific season under Rafa Benitez.
The Brazilian had missed the Toffees’ previous four Premier League fixtures after sustaining a knee injury last month. Benitez opted against rushing the 24-year-old straight back into the Toffees starting line-up, but called on Richarlison on 60-minutes.
It took Richarlison just three-minutes to score his second goal of the league campaign and put Everton ahead. Although the Blues failed to hold onto their second lead, and produced a horrific late collapse to lose 5-2. With Josh King scoring three on his return to Goodison.
Richarlison says he is feeling better and more confident with Benitez keeping him in a set position for Everton. Carlo Ancelotti had moved the £90k-a-week forward around his attack during the Italian’s spell in charge on Merseyside.
“Last season, I played in numerous positions on the right and left, but I scored the most goals when I played centrally,” Richarlison said. “With Rafa Benitez, I am playing more centrally, a position where I feel more comfortable and am closer to goal.
“I think everything is in place to score more goals in the Premier League, as I’ll be nearer the goal. Playing centrally here and for Brazil is really important to me. It’s my preferred position and, playing there this season, I feel better and more confident, and I hope to score many more goals.”
Benitez to unlock the best Richarlison yet at Everton?
Richarlison registered his worst goal return as an Everton player yet last season with seven in 34 games under Ancelotti. The forward had found the back of the net 13 times in each of his previous two campaigns at Goodison.
His debut term following a £50m move from Watford in 2018 also returned the attacker’s best minutes-per-goal record on Merseyside. Richarlison scored once every 206-minutes under Marco Silva in 2018/19, then 236 in 19/20 and 410 in 20/21.
Richarlison’s currently scoring once every 190-minutes under Benitez, suggesting he could be set for his best Everton return so far. And will look to net again at Wolves on Monday.
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