Ancelotti: Richarlison can become one of the best strikers in Europe
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti tips ‘complete’ Richarlison to become ‘one of the TOP strikers in Europe’ as he hopes in-form Brazilian can guide Toffees into the Champions League
- Everton face West Brom away on Thursday, looking to keep up a top four push
- The Toffees currently sit seventh, two points off fourth but with a match in hand
- Carlo Ancelotti is looking to Richarlison to deliver his side European football
- The Brazil forward has scored five goals in five games for the Goodison Park side
Carlo Ancelotti wants Richarlison to lead Everton into the Champions League and has predicted his in-form striker will become one of the best in Europe.
The Brazil international is on a run of five goals in five games, the last of which carried huge importance against Southampton on Monday. That 1-0 win has kept Everton firmly on course to be involved in the fight for a top four-place at the end of the season.
Ancelotti is firm in his belief that Richarlison has untapped potential and though he wouldn’t compare him to any of the great strikers he has worked with, Everton’s manager is adamant he has the qualities to one day be spoken of in that bracket.
Richarlison has been in red hot form recently, scoring five goals in his last five matches
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti (left) has been singing the praises of his Brazilian forward
‘Richarlison is a modern striker, a complete striker, because he works really hard,’ said Ancelotti, whose side face West Brom on Thursday night.
‘His physical statistics are really high, like a midfielder — but he has speed and he is really clinical in the box.
‘He is fantastic with the head and clinical in front of the goalkeeper and his movement without the ball is really good.
‘I think he can be one of the top strikers in Europe. I’m sure he can because he has all these kind of qualities and he has not a specific position on the pitch. He is really complete.
Ancelotti was full of praise for the clinical nature of Richarlison’s play inside the penalty area
‘Where he has to improve is with his technical ability, and he can improve, controlling the ball and this and that but his movement without the ball is really top and his positioning in the box is of a high standard.
‘His level will go up in the Champions League. It would be a fantastic experience.’
It is noticeable that Ancelotti is embracing the idea that Everton can finish in the top four, actively encouraging conversation rather than shying away.
He is not worried about the weight of expectation burdening his players in the final two months.
‘I am happy to talk about it,’ said Ancelotti. ‘Last year when I arrived we were talking about relegation so it is better to talk about Champions League… it makes me happier!
‘I spent a lot of time in the Champions League and I would like, with Everton, to be back in that competition.’
Richarlison (centre) got the only goal against Southampton and is key for Ancelotti’s ambitions
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