As the Everton squad returns to Finch Farm today they do so without Richarlison after the Brazil star completed his move to Tottenham last week.
His departure is significant for a side that just avoided relegation - in part due to the 25-year-old's efforts as he led from the front during that battle. Goals against Leicester City, Manchester United and Chelsea were among pivotal moments as Frank Lampard's men narrowly survived the drop.
Richarlison scored 10 goals in the Premier League last season but his wider contribution was also key as he emerged as a talisman for the Blues in the club's hour of need, often chasing lost causes and giving hope and inspiration to the Goodison Park crowd that was also integral to Everton's survival.
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The club's financial situation is well-known, the timing of Richarlison's sale no coincidence as it enabled the fee to be included within last year's accounts - crucial as Everton flirt with profit and sustainability regulations.
How much Everton can spend this summer remains unclear, but the £60m package agreed for Richarlison is likely to create some space for funding a replacement. With Everton needing reinforcements up top, three of the ECHO's Everton writers looked at who they would target now Richarlison has gone.
Adam Jones - Watford's Emmanuel Dennis
Let's be honest, Everton probably need two players to realistically stand in for Richarlison's influence in the squad. The Brazilian was the club's best player on his day, and the Blues aren't really in the financial or form position to be signing someone of the instant calibre to replace or surpass the outgoing forward. But, if Emmanuel Dennis was one of the incoming faces, it would surely lessen the loss. Watford scored just 34 goals in the Premier League last season, and the winger was involved in 16 of them - scoring ten and assisting six.
Granted he represents something of a risk, as last season was the only time he's played more than 30 league matches in a campaign. But at 24 he's still got a lot of room to grow. Everton desperately need creativity and goals from out wide in the absence of Richarlison, and Dennis has proven he can do that even in a struggling side. For a decent price, surely he's well worth a look.
Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Joe Thomas - Chelsea's Armando Broja
Lampard will be keen to exploit his legendary status at Chelsea during a transfer window in which Everton require savvy moves to strengthen on a budget. While the takeover at Stamford Bridge is likely to have had an impact on the London club's transfer strategy, huge numbers of hot prospects leaving the club on loan is now an annual experience. Connor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour and others are among those who will have plenty of top flight suitors should Thomas Tuchel consider them outside his first team plans. One such star who could be ideal as a Richarlison replacement is Armando Broja. The 20-year-old scored six times for Southampton while on loan there last year and was generally impressive in what was a breakout season in the Premier League for the striker.
The Albania international appeared composed in front of goal and is clearly a talent for the future. Should he be available on loan he would be a cost-effective move that would strengthen Lampard's attacking options. And Broja may be tempted with a reunion with the manager who gave him his senior debut.
Connor O'Neill - Burnley's Dwight McNeil
First thing first, replacing Richarlison is an impossible task for Everton. The Brazilian simply can’t be replaced by Frank Lampard or Kevin Thelwell. Whether it be goals, assists, energy or the love and appreciation he had for Blues supporters, Everton will never find a replacement for the now Tottenham man. However, when pushed to suggest a replacement, the Blues should look at someone like Dwight McNeil.
Although McNeil failed to score a single Premier League goal, and also managed to register just one assist last season, the campaign as a whole for Burnley was disastrous and ultimately ended in the Clarets being relegated. But I saw enough the season before, when he was more influential, to suggest that there is a player there, and the England Under-21 international is someone who is worth a punt on, especially given he could be available for as little as £10m this summer.
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