BadboyMustyWhat Richarlison admitted to doing prior to his last game for Everton speaks volumes
Iliman Ndiaye has been one of the only players to show any quality in the final third of late, but even he’s being played out of position on the left-hand side.
There was once a time when Everton had a player they knew they could rely on in tough situations, and his name was Richarlison.
The admission he made about the lead-up to his last game for Everton is certainly an eye-opener and is the kind of dedication that’s been missing at times this season.
Richarlison was one for the big occasion and never backed down from a challenge, which is one of the things Everton fans absolutely loved about him.
His effort and desire to give his all for the blue shirt was always on show, constantly working to win back the ball and terrorise the opponents.
The admission he made about the run-up to his last game for Everton emphasises the kind of player he was and what Everton meant to him as a person.
Speaking to the Players’ Tribune, Richarlison admitted to abandoning his phone and turning off all his social media apps.
“It was an intense season with Everton, my team at the time. We were at risk of relegation. I was exhausted. I lost weight, and I could barely play an entire game. I had been injured in the Olympics, and I was injured again at the club. My body was asking me to stop.
“But it was simple: I had to help save the club. Everton do not belong in the Championship. Can you imagine? We had no choice. We had to stay up. To concentrate on helping the team, I did a two month fast on my cell phone. I completely turned off my apps and social media. I only used the alarm clock app to wake up in the morning.
“Before the match against Crystal Palace, I was destroyed. I knew this was going to be my last game of the season.
“I thought, We need to save ourselves now at Goodison Park, because the final round is against Arsenal away.
“I took some medicine and an injection and got down on my knees to pray. I refused to take a medical exam, because I knew that if I did it, they wouldn’t let me play. I had to sweat blood that day. When we scored the third goal, you can see that I had nothing left to give. I hit the ground with my head and said to the coach in tears: “I’m done”. It was my last breath, my last sacrifice, my last game as an Evertonian. A moment I will carry with me for the rest of my life, because I loved playing for this club.
“In the end, we stayed up. Where the club belongs. And I’m very proud of the sacrifice I made that year.
“Giving my best every day in every training session and every match — this is how I show love. It’s like my way of shouting, “Hey guys, thanks for following along and making a difference in my life.”
- READ MORE: What Richarlison did towards traveling Everton fans in classy gesture after heavy Tottenham defeat
He’s exactly what’s missing at Everton right now
Of course, injuries haven’t treated Richarlison well since departing Everton, which could be a knock-on effect from how much he took out of his body at Everton.
Richarlison is set to be out for a significant amount of time at Spurs after picking up yet another injury.
The current Everton squad have lacked that fight at times under Sean Dyche in recent games.
James Tarkowski’s mentality has been called into question after coming out and only mentioning the positives about the Southampton display and recent games.
Dyche has also been slammed for his mentality after games, as he fails to acknowledge or address any of the negatives and takes up the approach that possession means nothing.
Richarlison would do anything to see Everton succeed, which can sometimes be the difference in games when things get tough.
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