Exclusive: ‘He makes everything tick’ – Campbell hails 23y/o as Everton ‘talisman’
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell has heaped praise on Brazilian forward Richarlison as he looks set to return to the Everton team to take on Fulham this weekend.
The 23-year-old has missed the Toffees’ last three games after receiving a straight red card in October’s Merseyside derby for a bad tackle on Liverpool’s Thiago.
Campbell believes that Richarlison is now Everton’s ‘talisman’ and has hailed the impact the Brazilian has on Carlo Ancelotti’s team when he is available.
Campbell told Goodison News, “I think he’s the key player for Everton. I think there’s a stat where Everton haven’t won when he’s not been in the team and that tells you everything about him as a player and as a talisman.
“I think he’s the talisman now for the team, he makes everything tick and it helps Calvert-Lewin. Richarlison has to be accounted for by any defence. You cannot leave him alone, so that then takes a little bit of the pressure off of Calvert-Lewin so he can play a little bit more free.
“He’ll be energised, obviously he’s played for Brazil but he’s been off for three weeks in the Premier League and I’m sure he’s going to be chomping at the bit.”
It seemed as though Richarlison may miss this weekend’s game after being subbed off in Brazil’s game against Uruguay following a crunching challenge from Edinson Cavani.
But the Liverpool Echo report that Everton forward ‘expects to be fit’ to face Fulham in what will come as a huge boost to Ancelotti.
The Toffees have lost three straight games without Richarlison and anything other than a win over a poor Fulham side on Sunday will be seen as a major step back from Everton after their blistering start to the season.
There needs to be a recovery of form at Goodison Park if Everton are to push on this season and challenge for the Champions League places like some have suggested.
Hopefully, having Richarlison back will give the Toffees just the boost they need to get back to winning ways.
In other Everton news, we believe the Toffees must resist an aerial bombardment if they are to take anything from their tie with Fulham.