Andros Townsend has shared that Everton are missing Richarlison following his transfer to Tottenham, but made it clear that they have benefited from his sale because of the players they have been able to bring in.
Tottenham paid a club-record £60 million deal for Richarlison (Sky Sports), and with that money, Frank Lampard has been able to add the likes of Neal Maupay, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye to Everton’s squad this summer.
As Toffees fans can testify and Tottenham supporters are now witnessing, Richarlison is a player that wears his heart on his sleeve and becomes an instant favourite just by his natural ways on the pitch.
The 25-year-old’s on-field antics might rile up opposition fans, it even resulted in the player having a war-of-words with Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher.
But when he is repping your colours, then over the course of a gruelling season, the versatile forward is exactly what a team needs, hence why Conte was so quick to snap up his talents.
Townsend would have seen what Richarlison was like first-hand in training, as he was asked if he is missing the now-thriving Tottenham star, as he told talkSPORT (20/09/22 at 6:10 am).
“Of course, anyone and any club would miss the quality of Richarlison and what he brings to the team,” said Townsend. “But we have also been able to add four or five players for the price of Richarlison and we have added players with the quality and mentality of Richarlison.
“You see with Richarlison, whether he starts for Spurs or he comes on, he will chase for every ball, tackle and get the crowd up for it.
“I think we have that in Neal Maupay. Onana in midfield, who has been a great signing. Ghana Gueye coming back in. We have added more bodies that we needed and more bodies that we didn’t necessarily have last season.
“I think, yes we would love Richarlison, but I think we have done well on the back of that. And I am sure Richy is happy that he is playing and scoring in the Champions League, so it was a great deal for both parties.”
A GOOD DEAL FOR BOTH PARTIES
Everton weren’t exactly painting a pretty picture when it came to their finances at the start of the summer, so action needed to be taken, including having to sell a player of Richarlison’s qualities.
The Merseyside club benefited because they got some serious dough for the player, whilst then being able to fill up their squad after surviving relegation by the skin of their teeth last season.
Even though Everton will feel that it’s a sale that has worked out for them, at the end of the day, every team needs a player of Richarlison’s ilk and character, so he will always be missed in that regard.
But Tottenham, who are pushing to win a trophy under Conte as they remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season, are now watching Richarlison working his magic for them instead.
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