Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has reiterated his criticism of Everton spending £40million to sign attacker Richarlison, saying the Brazilian was “atrocious” for much of last season.
Toffees boss Marco Silva returned to former club Watford to sign the 21-year-old, who he had brought in from Fluminese for £11million last summer.
Despite the fact that Richarlison scored twice for Everton as they opened their Premier League season with a draw against Wolves, Merson still thinks the club overpaid for the youngster and has ripped into their decision to sign him.
In a column for the Daily Star, Merson said: “Goalkeepers are worth it. You can’t win the league without a top goalkeeper. But you can win the league without a Richarlison. Everton overpaid massively for him and they’ve admitted it now as well.
“I watched him a lot last season and he couldn’t have had a better start. But for 30-odd games, he was atrocious. If you can’t do it for 38 games, at least do it for 27.
“I’m not surprised he has started so well at Everton. It’s like last season all over again.But he’s going to get comfortable. He’s on big money there. It’s really up to him now. Does he think he can kick on and be special, or does he think he’s already made it?”
OPINION
Merson really is adamant about the fact that Everton overpaid for Richarlison, and that seems to be the prevailing view about the move at the moment. However, the youngster’s double in their first match of the season has already gone some way to shutting up the critics, and it will be interesting to see if he manages to carry that kind of form forward. As Merson mentions, Richarlison started last season on fire for Watford before his form tailed off hugely towards the close of the campaign, with the Brazilian scoring his last goal in November. It is however fair to say that his decline in form had something to do with the managerial upheaval going on at Vicarage Road, with Silva obviously unsettled by the initial interest from Everton before his eventual sacking. The reunion of those two at Goodison Park this season should see Richarlison’s form return, and at just 21 years old, the Brazilian has the potential to become a real star if he manages to knuckle down for a whole season.