A new manager is keen to stamp his authority on a new club. To make his mark, and mold the team into his vision of a successful future.
Player trading is an integral part of this process and every transfer carries an inherent risk. Will a player bought be as good as before? Will one sold be a star of the future elsewhere?
Everton, with more money than most clubs in the Premier League, knows those risks all too well. Last season, they lacked astuteness in the transfer market. Today, many fans question whether the club has taken further leave of its senses as the announced the capture of Richarlison, a 21-year-old Brasilian striker, from Watford in a $55m deal.
Richarlison joined Watford at the start of the 2017-18 from Fluminense in a $15m deal. He started brightly; enthusiastic and energetic, he grabbed three goals in his first seven appearances, as well as an assist. Watford appeared to have dug out a gem.
He carried on in a similar vein of form, scoring his fifth goal in 12 appearances against West Ham in November 2017. An assist a month later was his last telling contribution to the season and by May, he registered five goals in forty appearances, with four assists.
Yet Everton chose to spend $55m on a player whose statistics barely justify a fifth of that total. It’s a huge vote of confidence from Marco Silva, the Everton coach appointed in May. He managed Richarlison at Watford and got the best form of the season of the striker. If he doesn’t get a similar response, the Portuguese may once again find himself terminated before Christmas.
