Marco Silva hooked Richarlison on the hour after a poor display in the Toffees’ 1-0 Premier League win against Watford at Goodison Park.
Marco Silva wasn’t happy with Richarlison’s below-par display as Everton stuttered to a 1-0 win against Watford and Saturday, and former Toffees boss Sam Allardyce understands why, while speaking to talkSPORT.
Given that Richarlison spent the summer celebrating Copa America glory with Brazil, scoring a clinching goal in a dramatic final against Peru, it is perhaps no surprise that the 22-year-old looks a little jaded at the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
But that has not stopped the critics from rounding on a forward who joined Everton for an initial £35 million last year (BBC). Richarlison missed two excellent headed chances against former club Watford at Goodison Park and he was hooked on the hour, aiming a trademark scowl at a clearly unimpressed Silva when sloping off the pitch.
Yet Allardyce has backed Silva’s decision, warning Richarlison that Everton didn’t pay such a huge sum for him to flit in and out of games.
“He has these spells of non-action or non-impact. Marco Silva’s not happy and I agree, he should demand more,” the former England manager told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast (20 August, 9:00am).
“When your spending so much on a player and you’re improving his wages, as a manger you say ‘you must start playing so much better than you used to’.
“’This football club has bought you to make us better and you must improve’.”
Richarlison scored a career-best 13 Premier League goals in his debut season at Everton and, once he recovers following a hectic summer schedule, the Samba starlet should find his golden touch once again.
But now that Everton can call upon Moise Kean, Bernard, Theo Walcott, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alex Iwobi, they can afford to keep Richarlison on the sidelines until he’s back at his best.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
