The Liverpool Echo’s head of sport David Prentice has cast doubt over Richarlison’s fitness for Everton’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Tonight, the Toffees travel to the Midlands to take on the Old Gold in an 8:15pm kick-off at Molineux (per Premier League).
The game against Wolves follows Everton’s 2-1 win against Rotherham United in the FA Cup, a tie which did not see the Toffees’ Brazilian forward make an appearance (per Transfermarkt).
In fact, the 23-year-old attacker has featured in just one of Everton’s previous three fixtures in all competitions.
During the latest episode of the Liverpool Echo’s Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast, Prentice aired that he would start Richarlison up front but cast doubt over his fitness.
He said: “I mean, Richarlison is capable of playing a central striking role… Carlo [Ancelotti] qualified that by saying it’s going to be a late call on him [to feature against Wolves].
“So, I think, if Richarlison is fit, I personally would go with him down the middle and then we’ve got other options in the wide areas.”
TIF Thoughts on what David Prentice said about Richarlison…
As can be seen in what the journalist had to say, he believed the forward should start as a striker tonight, however, it will be a “late call” over whether the Brazilian can play against the Old Gold.
Would you start Richarlison as a striker tonight if he is fit to play?
No, should be out wide
Yes, good fill-in for DCL
If the Toffees are to be without the 23-year-old attacker, that will likely be a blow for them as he has been a key performer for Ancelotti’s side so far this term.
Over 12 league games, he has scored two goals and provided three assists, earning him an impressive average rating of 7.26/10 (per WhoScored).
That rating has made the former Watford man the Toffees’ third-best performer in the top flight, so, hopefully, he will be available for them tonight.