Everything was lined up for Richarlison to return to Everton, but after some quick yet impactful decisions and changes, it might not happen, even though it probably should.
Everything was following the expected path: Ndiaye to Tottenham and Richarlison to Everton. But Manchester City’s idea of signing Gakpo from Liverpool didn’t work out, so City quickly moved for Ndiaye, overtaking Tottenham in this race that is football.
With Ndiaye’s move to Tottenham cancelled, Richarlison’s return to Everton was also cancelled, for now.
The thing is, Richarlison needs to leave Tottenham and he wants to leave too. Tottenham want to sell him, he wants to leave, but he doesn’t want to join just any club. Richarlison is now, following Marmoush’s arrival, Tottenham’s third-choice striker and needs to leave.
At 29, he can either get one last big contract or wait another year, where he clearly won’t get much playing time, and wait for his Tottenham contract to expire before leaving for free. Or he leaves now, but once again, he doesn’t want to join just any club.
If Richarlison stays at Tottenham, it will be because the right exit wasn’t available, not because it is his preference for his career. That is obvious. The best thing would be for him to leave as soon as possible, but once again, there aren’t enough buyers.
His time at Tottenham has been full of highs and lows and he was very important in some of their best moments, but he has also been inconsistent. You never know when you can count on the best version of Richarlison, and that simply cannot happen with the main attacking reference of your team.
Conclusion
The deal with Everton ended up being cancelled after Ndiaye’s move to Tottenham fell through, but Richarlison’s departure has to happen. Either he leaves now or he leaves for free later. If he stays until then, I don’t see him getting much playing time this season, because he is the third choice.