When Everton lost their 6ft-plus all-action central midfielder during the summer transfer window, The Toffees quickly set about chasing, well, another 6ft-plus all-action central midfielder.
Out went Amadou Onana – joining Aston Villa for what already looks like a bargain £50 million – and in would have come Amir Richardson.
At least, that was the idea.
HITC reported at the start of August that Everton had joined Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Brentford for the America-born Morocco international.
Actually taller than Onana at 6ft 6ins, Richardson really made a name for himself during a fine breakout campaign at Stade de Reims last season.
A rangy powerhouse of a midfielder with an impressively varied skillset – he almost slide-tackled the ball into the net from outside the penalty box for one of his three Ligue 1 goals in 2023/24 – Richardson looked like one of the best value options on the market for an Everton side who’s financial issues are very well documented.
Everton wanted Fiorentina ace Amir Richardson
Reims would eventually accept a bid of £8.5 million. But not from Everton. Nor from Tottenham, Leicester or Brentford, for that matter.
Richardson moved to Serie A with Fiorentina instead.
And, speaking to Space Viola, his representatives from the Cracksman agency explained how his switch to Florence came about.
“The decision to join Fiorentina was influenced by several factors,” they explain, confirming not only that Everton were interested but that Richardson discussed a move to Goodison Park with Sean Dyche.
“Firstly, the persuasive approach of the club members. The opportunity to play in Serie A, against some of the best talents in the world, also had a significant impact on the choice.
“Everton, Ajax and Fenerbahce were monitoring his situation with great interest, which is completely understandable given his young age and considerable potential. Amir had discussions with all the coaches of the interested clubs.
“But the first to contact him was (Fiorentina boss) Raffaele Palladino, with whom he had a video call. From the very beginning, his strong interest was clear.”
Everton would, of course, snap up both Tim Iroegbunam and Lyon loanee Orel Mangala in an attempt to move on from Onana. The former has started excellently – arguably The Toffees’ stand-out performer so far this term – while the latter should bring his press-resistent qualities and probing passes in the deep-lying number six role.
Likened to Nemanja Matic and Adrien Rabiot
As for Richardson, there is a Nemanja Matic or Adrien Rabiot feel about the way he patrols the park, a fine technician and extremely elegant in possession for one so tall.
“His technique, his elegance with the ball and his ability to break the lines, as well as his intelligence, with and without the ball, in reading the game situations, are definitely his strong points,” his representatives add.
“It’s not easy to have his touch on the ball, especially considering his height. It is difficult to find a player with his height and his technique, which is certainly above average.
We do not want to seem presumptuous, and not to say that he does not resemble anyone. (But) we can report that one of the five best coaches of all time told us that he sees in his qualities some characteristics of great players like Rabiot and Matic.”
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