Everton rolled the dice with Richarlison at the start of the season.
With so much upheaval at the club following the shock departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the unpopular appointment of Rafael Benitez, a musk of discontent lingered around L4. A good start felt imperative for Benitez and, while the Toffees have spectacularly unravelled in the months since, they were able to get one.
Richarlison was key to that. He scored one and set up another on the opening day of the season against Southampton. He then featured against Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley as Everton amassed a creditable 10 points from their first four games.
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Having the Brazilian so involved so early in the season felt like a calculated risk for Benitez, though. Richarlison played 13 times for his country before the current campaign, seven times in the Copa America and six times in the Olympics. Brazil reached the final in both competitions, losing the former and winning the latter.
The Toffees forward played 114 minutes on August 7 to win his Olympic gold. Seven days later he played 89 minutes in the 3-1 win over Saints.
As much as Richarlison's endeavour and application can never be questioned, there was always going to be a detrimental pay-off for such a physical exertion. And as Everton prepare themselves for the grim attrition of a relegation battle, their star striker may just be beginning to feel that toll.
This season the 24-year-old has four Premier League goals for his efforts, the last of which was in Benitez's last game on January 15 against Norwich City. His bookings total - five - eclipses that.
A number of injury lay-offs have certainly not helped his momentum, nor has the general dysfunction of the Toffees team. Playing as part of an effective front three, with solid foundations behind him, would undoubtedly lead to more productivity for the Brazil international, as he has shown for his country.
But he's not getting that at Goodison Park for the foreseeable future. The indications are that with Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured, unwell or out of form that Richarlison will be the man at the point of Lampard's team for the time being.
In that role, he will be tasked with triggering the pressing style, running in behind and taking knocks from centre-backs. For a player who has already shouldered a massive physical burden over the last couple of years, it doesn't seem like an ideal assignment.
There have been signs of jadedness in recent outings, too. Richarlison has been offside frequently, with his total of 16 for the campaign only gazumped by six players in the Premier League.
There's also been a weariness about his pressing, with his exasperation at not being backed up effectively by those around him clear against Wolves. At full-time in that fixture, he slumped to the floor exhausted and dejected as Goodison took a collective gulp.
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Richarlison has been unlucky at times this season. His goalbound shot at home to Leeds took the tiniest flick off Anthony Gordon, while he's had goals ruled out by narrow margins on VAR reviews against Boreham Wood and twice against Arsenal.
While so many Everton players look like they need shaking into life, Richarlison looks like a dulled forward in need of a break.
Instead, with no goals scored in their last four top-flight outings, some brutal fixtures on the horizon and a congested April schedule, it feels like Lampard will have to lean on Richarlison even more.
In the past, the Toffees' number seven has excelled in those circumstances, showing himself to be up for the fight in a team of players who wilt under similar heat. They need him to dig deep again if they're to preserve their Premier League status.
And this summer? Richarlison can finally get his feet up, hopefully with a top-flight season to look forward to.
