Hackett View: Everton forward Richarlison tries to ‘beat the ref’
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Everton.
Keith Hackett has claimed that Everton forward Richarlison occasionally uses theatrics in an attempt to beat the referee.
The Brazilian attacker has often been credited as someone who attempts to deceive the referee, with former Everton manager Marco Silva once even calling on his player to stop falling down [Goal].
Jamie Carragher also caught media attention in November after criticising Richarlison during Everton’s Premier League clash with Leeds United, claiming to have “never seen anyone on the floor more than Richarlison.” [Liverpool Echo]
Talking exclusively to Goodison News, former referee Hackett conceded that the former Watford starlet occasionally goes to ground easily, though he also admitted that he would want him in his team as a fan.
When asked whether Richarlison was similar to other players often called out for diving such as Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah, Hackett said: “At times.
“These are top-class players, they’re clearly intelligent. I’m not undermining their intelligence, but what they’re trying to do is beat the ref.
“Their game is ultimately, at the end of the day, trying to gain a penalty kick in an unfair manner.
“But if I’m a fan I want him in my team.”
Despite the preconceptions that Richarlison throws himself to the ground several times per game, the Brazil international often finds himself in the same boat as both Wilfried Zaha and Jack Grealish.
As Everton’s primary danger-man he often finds himself the focus of opposition pressing, and being unmistakably light-weight the 23-year often ends up on the ground. However, while not every challenge on him warrants a free-kick, he isn’t always necessarily diving either.
Richarlison certainly isn’t perfect though, and he has often demonstrated a minor air of petulance that would make simulation appear characteristic of his style of play.
More often than not though Richarlison can find himself victim of pre-conceived notions that don’t accurately represent his character, though we can’t deny that he isn’t blameless on every occasion.
In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti is ‘intent’ on signing Robin Olsen on a permanent basis this summer.