Richarlison reveals fighting with Everton to get Olympics permission
Richarlison admits to having a fight at Everton to get the club to permit him to play at the Tokyo Olympics later this month.
The Brazilian is currently on Copa America duty after which he’s expected to travel straight to Japan to compete in the Games.
Should Brazil reach the Gold Medal match, Richarlison will be on international duty until August 7 and the Premier League campaign is scheduled to begin six days later, with Everton set to host Southampton at 3pm on August 14.
This would mean that Richarlison could miss the first few games of the new season which is why the Toffees weren’t keen on him playing in Tokyo.
However, he argued and eventually got his way. After Brazil’s win against Chile, he said live on ESPN Brazil (transcribed by UOL), “I had a fight there, right? I spent the whole day arguing with Everton, with the director. I also called the new coach.
“It’s very important for me to get this experience, get more mature because it’s going to be important to me.”
Not good for us
While there’s no official confirmation, this all but rules him out of our first two games of next season, at the bare minimum.
Even if he decides not to take a single day of vacation, it will take him some time to get used to the training and style of play under Rafa Benitez before he can be thrown right into the pick of things.
If James Rodriguez leaves, that puts us two first-team attackers shy – which is a horrible way to start a season.
We need to rope in at least one if not two quality players in the final third or it’s very unlikely we build on last season’s performances.
Should Richarlison get knocked out early, we would have him back earlier, but Brazil are one of the stronger sides and should be expected to reach the latter stages.
In other Everton news, Fabrizio Romano shares major Richarlison-Everton transfer update, details Benitez stance
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