Everton winger Andros Townsend believes Richarlison is 'already a hero' at Everton and that may be enough to keep him at the club this summer.
The Brazilian striker has been widely linked with a move away from Goodison Park with Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all interested in the forward. Spurs have emerged as favourites and reports on Monday linked the club with a double swoop for both Richarlison and homegrown star Anthony Gordon.
In an ideal world, Frank Lampard would keep Richarlison at the club, along with fellow key attacking asset Dominic Calvert-Lewin and build around them as he looks to push the Toffees up the table.
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However, there is an acceptance that one of their key men may need to be sold to help satisfy FFP regulations. Lampard needs funds to reshape his squad and while it is highly unlikely both will go, there is a strong possibility one may depart. Everton are likely to request more than £50m for Richarlison.
The forward has scored 53 goals in 152 appearances since his £35m move from Watford in 2018. This included 10 in 30 Premier League games last season. His performances were crucial as he stepped up to help guide the Blues to safety, shouldering the attacking burden after Calvert-Lewin missed large parts of the season and struggled for fitness and form.
And, speaking on talkSPORT, in response to being asked how big a move it would be for Richarlison to join Spurs, Townsend disagreed with the question.
“I think you’re being slightly disrespectful by calling Spurs a step up,” he told talkSPORT. “I think Everton is one of the biggest clubs in England, one of the most historic clubs, one of the biggest fanbases.
“He’s already a hero at Everton for what he’s done. He’s a fantastic player and towards the end of the season the goals he scored to keep us up.”
Townsend added that despite the huge impact of Lampard and particularly the fans during the run-in, Richarlison was the key factor in the Blues’ survival.
He said: “We speak about what Frank Lampard did for the team, what the fans did to lift us, but Richarlison came back from injury, scored goals and kept us up. So he’s already got hero status at the club… and that’s all you’re getting from me!
“I had years of Wilfried Zaha questions [when he played at Crystal Palace and Zaha was widely linked with a move away from the club], so I’m used to it by now!”
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