The Brazilian scored twice on his first international start in a 5-0 win over El Salvador.
Everton’s decision to spend up to £50million on Watford’s Richarlison was seen as an incredible risk for the club.
Spending that kind of money meant that the Toffees were either signing a ludicrously expensive supporting player or expecting the 21-year-old to be their star man – something that didn’t look too logical after he went 23 games without a goal or assist last season.
Three goals in his first two games for Everton has helped turn around those doubts, as Richarlison does now seem to have the ability to stand up and lead the way for the club, if he can stay consistent.
That was the issue last season as he fell away after a good start but his first international start with Brazil is yet another sign that Everton have got exactly what they wanted.
Richarlison scored twice against El Salvador in a 5-0 victory for Brazil, proving once again that he can handle the pressure and expectation – this time on a very high level.
If he’s to be Everton’s main man, they’ll need him to prove he can handle the weight of expectation that comes with it in the Premier League and being able to perform even without the comforts of Marco Silva directing him is a very good sign.
The Everton man played out of position as a centre-forward, too, suggesting that Everton may have got more than a left-winger for their money.
It may only be a couple of months in, but that £50million is looking well spent already.
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