Brazilians don’t always have an easy adaptation to the United Kingdom. The weather, the food and the intense football are often pointed out as the biggest struggles for footballers who come straight from South America.
But we definitely can’t say that about Richarlison. Following his move from Fluminense to Watford in 2017, he only needed one season to prove his potential.
That’s why Everton spent €40m signing him, and don’t seem to regret it. The forward has 26 goals in 70 appearances for the Toffees, and has been a regular in the starting eleven since his first day at the Goodison Park.
Despite Everton’s disappointing season, Richarlison has still managed to score 12 goals and add four assists so far. Following a couple of months of break, he’s ready for more, and spoke to Sport Witness about his time at the club.
After three years in England, do you consider your adaptation complete or do you still suffer with the climate, the food and the language?
“I think it’s much better. The cold and the food I have already adapted well to, it’s much cooler. I already understand the language a lot, just to speak I still have a little difficulty.
“Here in Liverpool people speak very fast, sometimes I need to ask them to slow down a little too, people get carried away (laughs). But I think, in general, I’ve done well in almost everything here in England.”
The Premier League has just announced the dates for the next fixtures. How do you expect games to be with the new safety standards? Have you ever played without fans?
“The last time I played without fans was on the street, in my city (laughs). But it’s a new reality because of the pandemic and we have to adapt to it.
“The crowd will certainly be sorely missed, but we understand that it is for everyone’s safety and for this horrible situation to end as soon as possible.”
With only nine fixtures remaining, it’s nearly impossible for Everton to get a spot in European competition. What went wrong this year?
“I think a lot can happen in nine games. Everything is very tangled in the table, the teams are very close.
“Instead of looking back and looking for the mistakes we made, I prefer to think about the games ahead of us and have as many good results as possible to, who knows, enter the fight for a place in the continental tournament. We have to keep that flame burning.”
You always talked about your great relationship with Marco Silva, but now you work with a coach of greater recognition in world football. How was that change?
“It’s never good to see someone lose their job. Especially a guy so important to me, with whom I learned so much.
“Marco was responsible for my coming to England. He’s a serious and very competent coach, who will be very successful in his career. Unfortunately he had to leave.
“On the other hand, Carlo arrived, who is one of the greatest of all time. It’s been a privilege to work with him. I’ve learned a lot and I am sure that we will achieve good things together.”
Do you think that his arrival could mean new ambitions for Everton?
“Ancelotti is one of the greatest coaches in history, in my opinion. I think the club has a lot to gain from him, and so do we players.
“He has a winning spirit and doesn’t accept less than the maximum you can give on the pitch. I think this mentality and the respect he has for everyone in the football world is very important and will help us a lot.”
Apart from Jordan Pickford, you are Everton’s player with the most minutes this season. What do you think this is due to?
“I think a lot of work, I try to take care of myself physically, and a little luck too. Everyone is subject to injury and being left out. Last season, I lost a few games at the end of the season because I got hurt. There are several things that contribute to this.”
This season, you scored against Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Do you have a special taste for scoring more goals in big games?
“It’s always good to score in games like that. These are matches that move the crowd and the press more. It’s no different with the people on the pitch. I want to score in every game, but in those even more. It does have a special flavour.”
You are very active on social media, especially interacting with Brazilians. Is it a way for you to avoid missing the country?
“It’s a good way to kill longing for Brazil, especially in this quarantine, in which everyone is isolated. Brazilians are always very playful and like to chat.
“So, it’s a way to feel closer to home, but also to give a little more attention to the fans. I think they deserve us to be there, talk to them, because they’re very important.”
Everton have been linked to Brazilians like Gabriel Magalhães, Allan and Everton Cebolinha. Do you hope that more compatriots will arrive?
“It’s great to have other Brazilians around. Helps a lot. Here there’s Bernard and Mina, who’s also almost a Brazilian, André Gomes who speaks Portuguese, and we’re very close.
“But, regardless of whether they are Brazilians, I think the important thing is to get players of high level, and all those you mentioned are great players. But this is a conversation for the board to sort (laughs).”
