Rafa Benítez’s adventure at Everton did not start in the best way, when several fans toffees they opposed his move because of his past as Liverpool manager, but it ended even worse. The Spanish coach was dismissed after chaining four consecutive defeats in the Premier League, leaving the Liverpool team closer to relegation than to European positions. What’s more, a clash with one of the Everton captains like Lucas Digne ended with the French side ending up at Aston Villa during the winter market. An exit that, in addition to being as unexpected as it is detrimental in terms of football for the toffeeswas added to that of James Rodríguez in the summer.
And it is that these sales ended up generating discomfort even to the staff itself. In an interview granted by Richarlison to TNT Sports Brazilthe Everton striker has stated, regarding the team’s bad moment, that “that also weighed a bit on the group. We know about the quality of James. Also of Digne, who we ended up losing. So it weighs, it weighs. We like it or not, it weighs on the group. We had a united group and ended up losing two important players.”. The Brazilian attacker placed special emphasis on the Colombian’s departure, since his situation in the Liverpool team changed from one day to the next: “When I arrived from the Olympic Games, I was even surprised by how much he ran and dedicated himself to training, train well. And out of nowhere, the coach (Rafa Benítez) said that he no longer had him (James Rodríguez). And no one understood anything.
Praise for Ancelotti
What also meant a script twist in Everton’s plans was the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach responded to Real Madrid’s call and left the Toffees’ project for the future unfinished. And it is that, as Richarlison himself says, “We had everything to reach the Europa League or the Champions League, but we lose players easily. We also lose players due to injury. That ends up making the competition difficult”. However, the Brazilian’s statements in TNT Sports Brazil they don’t show any kind of rancor towards Ancelotti for his departure: “We had a coach who fit in with the team. Unfortunately he had to go. He was a guy who came here and got the equipment fixed.. He also brought in James Rodriguez, who helped a lot. And we almost got it. We were, if I’m not mistaken, 3 or 4 points behind the Europa League. That was one of our goals.”
What’s more, Richarlison has no doubt that if the Italian doesn’t end up going to Real Madrid, Everton could have done important things this season. “Surely if he stayed for this season and asked for signings, we would reach the Champions League or the Europa League. Unfortunately he didn’t stay, he had to continue on his way to Real Madrid. Like it or not, it was a very good proposition for him. So we keep working”, acknowledges Richarlison. A thorn, that of playing European competitions with the Liverpool team, which will try to get rid of it with or without Ancelotti on the bench at Goodison Park: “I want to play the Champions League with Everton and not leave to another club. I want to repay the love they have for me and also help out on the pitch and continue to be an idol here at the club.. I want to make history here.”