Rafa Benitez was angry at Richarlison for his reaction during Everton v Crystal Palace
Everton forward Richarlison has picked up a calf injury and he is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks.
Richarlison was taken off in the second half against Crystal Palace when the Toffees were trailing 2-0.
The decision provoked an angry reaction among the away fans, but it seems Benitez wanted to protect the player.
Richarlison was visibly frustrated with the decision and Benitez was angry with his reaction, according to the Atheltic journalist Greg O’Keeffe.
He wrote on Twitter: “Along with being a huge series of fresh blows amid what was already a challenging fixture list, the Richarlison injury casts new light on Benitez’s decision to withdraw the striker at Selhurst Park & why the manager was so angry at his reaction to being subbed.”
Huge problem
Everton are struggling in the Premier League, and have lost four straight away games.
They have just picked up one win in their last ten games, and Benitez is under loads of pressure.
The Toffees fans have also vented their frustration over the lack of poor performance.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin still not fully fit, the last thing Everton needed was another fatal injury blow. And it’s right here.
Richarlison is expected to be out for a while, while Andros Townsend will also miss the clash in midweek.
The 30-year-old winger sustained a small fracture in his foot following a challenge with an opposing player. He has undergone a scan today (14 December) and his situation will be reviewed by specialists later this week.
Everton skipper Seamus Coleman also suffered bone bruising and soft tissue damage and won’t feature against Chelsea.
n other Everton news, the Blues have launched a bid to sign this Champions League left-back as Lucas Digne’s replacement.
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