Richarlison has been speaking about Everton in a new interview.
The Brazil international became a hero at Goodison Park following a £40m move from Watford in July 2018 – scoring 53 goals in 152 appearances for the Toffees and memorably putting his body on the line to ensure Everton avoided relegation in the 2021/22 campaign.
Richarlison has now reminisced about that period during a chat with L’Equipe – as The Friedkin Group continue to monitor his situation at Tottenham.
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Richarlison of Everton celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton. James Tarkowski of Everton celebrates after his goal stands following a VAR review during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool.
Credit: Getty Images/Phil Noble – Pool/Alex Pantling
Richarlison remains fond of Everton stint with reunion possible
The Brazilian said: “The adjustment was very difficult. When winter arrived, it was awful. I couldn’t play. My hands and ears were freezing. I wanted to go back to Brazil, and then Marco Silva signed for Everton and asked to sign me. That’s when I took off and became a bit of an idol, because the fans felt that I was giving my all for the club.
“(The) last season, I was exhausted. After the Olympics and the qualifiers, I hadn’t had a vacation. We were in the relegation zone, so I watched what I ate, and we absolutely crushed it. I became a bit of a leader. We beat Chelsea and Manchester United. Before my last match, I felt a thigh injury, but I was ready to do anything to play. Anti-inflammatories, ice, injections. We were losing 2-0 against Crystal Palace. We ended up winning 3-2, and I collapsed to the ground. I broke down. I couldn’t feel my body anymore. I was unable to celebrate staying up. An unforgettable moment.”
Everton News understand The Friedkin Group explored a deal for Richarlison last summer, although the South American was keen to stay and prove himself under Thomas Frank ahead of the World Cup.
The campaign has not panned out well for the Tottenham No.9 – scoring ten goals in 38 appearances as Spurs sit in the relegation zone with six games to go.
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Sources informed Everton News last summer that The Friedkin Group would remain attentive and were particularly focused on what may happen with Richarlison – who Carlo Ancelotti admired – this summer, when he enters the final 12 months of his contract at Tottenham.
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Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Liam Delap of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine/Mike Hewitt.
An exit seems likely as Tottenham aim to reshuffle their squad this summer regardless of whether they survive, and with Richarlison clearly still quite fond of Everton, a reunion could be on.
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