Everton’s Shrewd Move: Selling Silva’s “Talent” Who Underperformed Calvert-Lewin

Despite recent struggles, Everton has shown signs of improvement under Sean Dyche’s leadership. The team’s recent form – just one loss in five Premier League matches – has kept them above the relegation zone. However, to truly regain their former stature, Everton must make wise decisions in the transfer market.

While Everton has had its share of transfer missteps during Farhad Moshiri’s tenure, there have been some notable successes. James Tarkowski, signed on a free transfer in 2022, has been a reliable presence in defense. Romelu Lukaku’s prolific stint at the club resulted in a substantial profit when sold to Manchester United.

Perhaps Everton’s most astute recent transfer move was the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham for £60 million in 2022. Initially praised as a “great talent” by Marco Silva at Watford, Richarlison showed promise during his time at Everton. However, his performance since joining Spurs has been disappointing.

Richarlison has struggled with injuries and inconsistency at Tottenham, scoring just 12 Premier League goals since the start of the 2022/23 season. In a surprising turn, he has even been outscored by Dominic Calvert-Lewin this season, despite the Everton striker’s well-documented goal-scoring challenges.

While Calvert-Lewin has managed two league goals this season, Richarlison is yet to score. This stark contrast highlights the wisdom of Everton’s decision to sell when they did. The £60 million fee now appears to be excellent business for the Toffees, especially considering their recent financial difficulties.

In retrospect, Everton’s sale of Richarlison may have been a crucial move in maintaining the club’s financial stability during a challenging period. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, selling a highly-rated player at the right moment can be more beneficial than holding onto them in hopes of future success.