Former Everton star Kevin Kilbane has backed Richarlison’s return to the Toffees after the club’s struggles in front of goal so far this season.
Everton have found the net only eight times in the league and lack a recognised goalscorer, with Tierno Barry leading the line and scoring just three goals to date.
Richarlison has been ousted from the Tottenham set-up by Roberto De Zerbi and was close to returning to Merseyside in the summer.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Kilbane has backed the Brazilian’s return, but only if Everton get him for the right price.
He said: “If Richarlison is going to return to Everton, the price has to be right. He was due to come back last summer before changing his mind on the deal after it looked like it was sorted.
“He has a huge affinity with the club, and I think returning to Everton would give him a huge boost from a personal point of view.
“I don’t think Richarlison is the same player he was when he left Everton. He hasn’t produced performances on a consistent basis for Spurs anywhere near the level he did for Everton, and even for the national team. My worry would be whether he is still capable of performing at that level.
“He’s a player with a point to prove, and David Moyes will know how to get the best out of him. If they can get him at the right price, he could come in and make an impact.”
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Despite the difficulties in front of goal, Kilbane feels Everton’s start to the season has been very strong, with the Toffees only losing a couple of league games so far.
He told GB News through BetBrain: “Everton have made an excellent start to the season, considering the summer they had.
“I watched them against Arsenal and thought they did well in the circumstances, but they’re obviously struggling to create and score goals.
“It’s coming down to 1-0 or 2-0 wins in the Premier League, and that’s how it’s going to be until they strengthen in attack.
“The fundamentals are there and so is the organisation required to get results and a lot of that is down to David Moyes. The main problem is that he wasn’t backed in the summer when they clearly needed players in certain positions.
“After last season they looked ready to kick on to the next level, but that requires investment. Instead, they ended up having to sell players like Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil.
“While that has given some other players opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have got, I can imagine it has been challenging for Moyes.
“That said, he is very good at making the best of the situation he’s in, which he has done time and time again. With the hand he’s been dealt at Everton this time around, I think he’s done a great job.”
The Toffees face Newcastle on Monday night, who have had a mixed start to the season, winning some games convincingly while losing others by hefty margins.
Commenting on the match, Kilbane said: “Newcastle are a funny team because over the years Everton seemed to have their number, but they’ve had the upper hand in terms of success and league position recently.
“It looks an even game on paper. Both have had inconsistencies, both have had troubles in the transfer market and both will see this as a winnable game.
“Newcastle are vulnerable right now and I don’t think they’re playing to a level anywhere near what they have been over the past few seasons. There is a bit of a negative feeling around the club at the moment, so I don’t see any reason why Everton can’t go there and get three points.”
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