Richarlison’s big money move to Everton from Watford this summer was widely questioned by many. But with 11 goals already this campaign, the dissenting voices have quietened a little. The forward’s form, playing largely as a centre forward, has impressed Tite sufficiently to earn the player a place in the Seleção squad. You can access www.bettingsites.ltd and support your favourite Brazilian players.
Richarlison has shown a versatility as a wide forward and as a striker that makes him valuable to Tite, where his options are bountiful. Being able to play as a wide forward and a centre forward gives him an edge over a crowded list. While it is likely that Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino will duke it out for the centre forward role, Richarlison could be a very interesting option as a wide forward.
This is because Richarlison is quite different to those competing for his spot. The left hand side belongs rigidly to Neymar, Marcelo and Philippe Coutinho, who form a triangle and create passing lanes for one another on the left hand side. Neymar is also a dribbler, a provocateur on the ball if you will. This has led to a little imbalance in the Brazil attack.
On the right hand side, the choice is largely between Willian and Douglas Costa, both of whom are also dribblers. It has led to a lack of variety in Tite’s attack with two sets of wide forwards that look to take on defenders. This is where Richarlison comes in. As a wide forward, he has a real opportunity to make the right side of the Brazil forward line all his own.
Brazil’s right hand side tends to be involved a lot less than the left and Richarlison can cope in this sort of low touch environment, where he can patiently hang off the shoulder of the opposition left-back and look to make in roads in dangerous moments. In effect, he can do the job Theo Walcott did for Arsenal for many years, lurking in the shadows on the right while the opposition are bogged down trying to stop Neymar, Marcelo and Coutinho.
Richarlison is an efficient finisher of chances and his time as a centre forward has taught him how to make dangerous runs behind defenders. He offers something different from a lot of the new generation, like Lucas Paquetá and Rodrygo, who are far more ‘traditional’ wide men in general.
The role of Brazil’s centre forward is effectively to act as Neymar’s butler and push defenders away from him and back towards their own goal. As a result, the Seleção’s right hand side can be a lonely place, but that is less of an issue for the Everton man than Tite’s other collection of wide forwards. He adds valuable goalscoring threat in a team whose striker’s role is not necessarily to score goals.
Richarlison is enjoying an excellent season at Everton, playing in a balanced unit alongside compatriot Bernard and Theo Walcott. It is Walcott’s skillset that Richarlison can introduce into his national team, but perhaps with a touch more technical proficiency than Walcott has managed in his career to date.
