Great Expectations

Richarlison reunited with Marco Silva at Everton and back on FPL radar

A transfer story that broke on Friday afternoon was finally concluded on Tuesday evening, as Richarlison completed his £35m move (rising to £50m) from Watford to Everton.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder is reunited with Marco Silva, the manager responsible for bringing Richarlison to England a year ago while boss of the Hornets.

Everton’s first capture of the summer has signed a five-year deal with the club and this second link-up with Silva is significant for prospective Fantasy owners, as it was under the Portuguese manager that the young Brazilian played his best football at Watford and delivered significant attacking returns: 103 of his 125 FPL points were registered before Silva departed Vicarage Road following the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City in Gameweek 24.

There is clearly a lot of love between manager and player. Upon signing for the Toffees, Richarlison said:

I think it is going to be important for me here to be with Marco Silva again. I will learn more because I am still learning as a player and I aim to develop and grow here.

I’ve known the manager for a while obviously, so I know how he works. I developed really well with him while he was with me at Watford. It was really good working with him and one day I believe he can help me to be selected for Brazil in the full national team.

Silva meanwhile has now persuaded two boards to take a gamble on the player in less than 12 months. While for Watford the financial outlay was not as extortionate (just over £11m), the fee was a significant one for a player who was largely an unknown quantity at the time.

To convince Farhad Moshiri and co. to pay what could turn out to be over four times that fee just under a year later is indicative of Silva’s faith in the mercurial Brazilian.

Richarlison’s 2017/18 campaign was a season of contrasts. Bursting onto the scene in August following his summer move from Fluminense, the Brazilian winger scored on five occasions and registered as many assists in his first 13 appearances for Watford.

The 21-year-old winger’s excellent start to life in the Premier League mirrored his new club’s impressive early-season form, but the story after Gameweek 13 was one of frustration – particularly for the legions of Fantasy Premier League managers who drafted the mid-price midfielder (who started at £6.0m) into their squads.

In his final 25 appearances of the season, Richarlison’s sum attacking returns amounted to no goals and three assists. The tussle between Everton and Watford for Silva’s services last October appeared to have irreparably damaged the Hornets’ season but in truth, Richarlison’s own loss of form was as much down to fatigue as it was club unrest.

Starting this season with a minor price rise to £6.5m, Richarlison will have burnt his bridges with many a Fantasy manager after his finish to 2017/18.

The young attacking midfielder is a name worth considering again this season, however, particularly given the Toffees’ promising-looking start to the season. Everton play only one of last season’s top six in the first nine Gameweeks, a run of fixtures that includes home matches against Southampton, Huddersfield Town, West Ham United, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

GOAL THREAT

Just two midfielders, Mohamed Salah and Christian Eriksen, had more attempts on goal than Richarlison (95) in 2017/18. Salah, Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Zaha – since reclassified as a forward – were the only players in Richarlison’s position to have more penalty box touches, meanwhile. Only three midfielders were deemed to have had more “big chances”, too.

Between Gameweeks 1 and 12 (when Richarlison scored all of his goals), the Brazilian ranked highest among midfielders for goal attempts and touches in the opposition area.

AERIAL MENACE

Richarlison had almost twice as many headed attempts on goal (24) as any other midfielder in 2017/18. While only one of those headed chances led to a goal, the Brazilian is a rare beast among wide players in that he offers a threat in the air from set-piece situations.

Richarlison also contested more aerial duels than any other FPL midfielder last season.

SUMMER BREAK

Everton’s gifted Brazilian looked fatigued towards the end of 2017/18 – and with good cause. Not only had Richarlison featured in all 38 of Watford’s Premier League matches last season, he also played 14 league fixtures and 22 other competitive matches for Fluminense immediately prior to his arrival at Vicarage Road.

With the Brazilian top-flight running from spring to winter, Richarlison had no summer break prior to his move to England in July 2017.

A well-earned rest this summer should help Richarlison’s cause this season and the enigmatic midfielder looked sprightly in Watford’s first pre-season friendly against Koln, setting up Andre Gray’s goal.

ROTATION-PROOF?

Richarlison was one of only four FPL midfielders to feature in all 38 of their club’s Premier League fixtures last season, starting 32 of those matches.

The Brazilian started every single Watford league fixture between Gameweeks 2 and 31, featuring as a substitute on five occasions in the last seven Gameweeks as fatigue (and a lack of form) well and truly set in.

Under Silva, though, Richarlison was a sure starter, even over the busy Christmas period. Having only used the Brazilian as a substitute in Gameweek 1, Silva was to never again rotate, rest or drop Richarlison until his tenure at Watford ended in January of this year.

READ MORE: The best mid-price midfielders to buy in FPL 2018/19

Silva has shrewdly downplayed the signing, perhaps to alleviate the pressure on his multi-million-pound asset, describing Richarlison as “one more player who can help us” and talking up the competition for places in the Everton squad.

Given the pair’s history, however, and the money and faith invested by Silva in the 21-year-old over the last 12 months, we can be confident that rotation is an unlikely prospect in the first months of the season at least.

Richarlison’s ability to play across the front line – he featured on both flanks and through the middle for Watford last season – would also stand him in good stead.

Richarlison’s FPL ownership has almost doubled since Everton’s bid was lodged and the Brazilian now sits in 6.6% of Fantasy squads. Rested, reunited with a manager who venerates him and lining up against favourable opposition in the first quarter of the season, we can only hope his maddening loss of form in 2017/18 can quickly become a distant memory.

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1,484 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RashFraud
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Would you rather have:

    A. Pickford + Mendy
    B. Ederson + Coleman

    1. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B, Pickford might not start first few GW's and Mendy might be rotated

      1. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Pickford easily covered as backup stek is 4.0

    3. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B

  2. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Why is Sessegnon way less popular than Jota?

    Last season

    Jota 17 goals 5 assists
    Sessegnon 16 goals 8 assists (played 19 games at left back)

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      People dont like Fulham

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Don't know why, played the best football in the championship last season

        1. The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          This

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I haven’t got him in mine for the reason is he still young and I think he will sussed out by defenders with his late runs in the box (Fulham fan) which is how he scored a fair few of his goals. Also thinking people are looking at our team at the moment thinking we haven’t got a lot in at the moment but we’ve just signed fabri who looks pretty good, I hear Mawson could be coming in and We need to get Mitrovic over the line as well.

    3. Fire Chief Moe
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I think people think Wolves will adapt to the premier league better than Fulham due to the international level players they have signed, also Jota could well be OOP up front, whereas Sess is likely to stay out wide.

  3. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is Bavies worth considering for the first few games?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes but I'm avoiding. Not because Spurs have a depleted squad but rather that they will almost definitely okay 4atb and iirc Davies was far more influential playing as LWB. Fixtures after GW2 are poor, too.

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Play*

    3. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Robertson and Mendy seem like better options. But not crazy to think about Davies.

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This

    4. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yep, but I've gone for a power defence

      1. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Bavies, Mendy, Bailly, Robertson. Pickford in goal.

        1. The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          The rest of your team must be suffering?

      2. LangerznMash
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        power bottom

    5. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Davies for GW 1+2 then swap to Mendy.

  4. mranonymous
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Jimenez pretty much nailed?

  5. Rossi3254
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Out of these two goalkeeping rotations which would you say is more favourable:

    A: Fabianski + Southampton GK
    B: Begovic + Palace GK

    1. dilksymatey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'd say B.

      1. Rossi3254
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yh thats what Im leaning towards due to fixtures but im also considering a Bournemouth full back plus Wan-Bissaka as a defender rotation and wouldnt want to double up on them

  6. dilksymatey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts please peeps:

    Foster
    Coleman - Bailly - Laporte - Robertson
    Salah - Mahrez - Pedro - Mane
    Aguero - Tosun

    Subs: Stek - WB - Masuaku - Quaner

    I do plan on playing my WC in GW4.

    1. Rossi3254
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good although Pedro is a potential risk but I guess you can change that judged off pre season lineups

  7. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone planning on bringing Lovren in for GW2/GW3? Nailed Liverpool defence for 5m seems cheap. Also has similar goal scoring stats to VVD.

  8. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    wolves should now bid for bernado silva

  9. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    is the extra 0.5mil worth spending for ramsey instead of mkhi?

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same dilemma as Sane / Mahrez + 0.5m

  10. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    holiett or deloufeu for same price?

  11. anish10
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Which one would you pick:

    A) DDG, Mendy, Doucoure & Mkhi

    or

    B) Ederson, Bailly, Jota & Ramsey

    1. infa fred
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      option B

  12. french holiday
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    anyone excited about richarlison?
    50mil surely nailed

    1. Any Laporte in a Storm
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I am. At first I didn't like the deal because of his drop in form over the season but then I read about why the drop probably occurred which seemed reasonable. I switched him in for Walcott.

  13. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone on here make a decision for themselves 😉 ?

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It’s nice to hear others opinions... buck stops with me for my team anyway ...

      Best thing on here is someone.... for example who supports Fulham and really knows what they’re talking about and can give advice on their players

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I am just joking, but do at times wonder what people get out of building a team that is basically generated totally from other people’s advice or ideas

    2. Bucky Barnes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Without some reasons behind the opinions I don't really understand why they're considered anymore valid than the original posters opinions, but each to thier own 🙂

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        True 🙂

  14. QPRTerry
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hello guys

    What do you think?

    De Gea

    Davies
    Robertson
    Mendy

    Sane
    Keita
    Neves
    Eriksen

    Aubameyang
    Firmino
    Arnautovic

    Subs:

    Stekelenburg
    Bednarek
    Stephens
    Wan-Bissaka

    Sure will change pending the next week/10 days but I feel quite happy with the above.

    Thoughts?

    1. AndrewTavey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I like it. Keita could be gold.

      1. QPRTerry
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks mate for the feedback, best of luck for the season!

    2. Cryuffista
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      not sure about Davies and Mendy though. Your midfield also looks a bit light.

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not bad, bednarek a starter??

    4. infa fred
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      keita is defensive and there is people who are better options like miki. also defense too pricy. no salah i think is to risky and i dont see where your funds have been spent not having him in

  15. Merlinsnose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I'm juggling with the following questions.

    I'd appreciate comments and reasons.

    A Walcott
    B or Richarlison

    C Cairney
    D or Jorginho

    E Kun
    F or Aub

    Many thanks

    1. Cryuffista
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Richarli

      Cairney

      I'm a Auba fan. But Kun is also a good option, particularly for the first 2 weeks.

    2. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      BCE

    3. Any Laporte in a Storm
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B and F. Don't really know about those guys in C/D.

    4. infa fred
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      1. B . however i still think you could get better for that price range
      2.C. jorginho is very deffensive and wont get may points like kante however i would recomend hughes or kenedy ove them both
      3.F. he is 100% the better option.

  16. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Does Schurrle effect Cairney at all?

    Still will start and on pens?

  17. infa fred
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT i think it is really strong just wanted more opinions on it.
    ederson,foster
    robertson,coleman,cedric,tomkins,peltier
    salah,sanchez,mane,hughes,kenedy
    aubam,arnie,kamara

    if you think i should tinker around a bit please explain how.

  18. infa fred
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT i think it is really strong just wanted more opinions on it.
    ederson,foster
    robertson,coleman,cedric,tomkins,peltier
    salah,sanchez,mane,hughes,kenedy
    aubam,arnie,kamara

    if you think that i should tinker around a bit please explain how.