The rumours about Richarlison moving to Tottenham continue to swirl and both the yes and no camp are having their say.
The yes-side believes a photo of Richarlison wearing a San Antonio Spurs jersey is a hint of where he wants to play, next. As someone who has lived and worked for a newspaper in San Antonio (the sadly departed and mourned San Antonio Light,) it should be taken into advisement that San Antonio with a very large background which is either Latin American or identifying as. Also, the Spurs have a big following in Latin America featuring players like Thiago Splitter (Brazil) and Manu Ginobli (Argentina.) A San Antonio Spurs’ crowd will sing in Spanish. So if Richarlison played in the NBA, it’s very possible he would want to be in San Antonio. There are also a number of Brazillian Steakhouses there.
In the video above, ESPN pundit Nedum Onuoha said he can’t Everton’s favourite Brazilian fitting in with Spurs. Onuoha and other pundits claim they see Richie as a squad player and not a guaranteed starter as is at Everton. They also say, Spurs’ manager Antonio Conte plays a more structured system and might have trouble with Richarlison fitting into it. Then there’s the question of the valuation, EFC is said to value Richarlison at £65 million. Tottenham is reportedly offering £50 million.
Richarlison has said he hasn’t made his mind up about his future. And he may well leave, but not Spurs and not for £50 million unless the Everton board is even more incompetent than we think.
So just who is this Noa Lang bloke and why should Everton sign him?
Well, let’s turn to The Athletic for some more information and long-time football manager and advisor David Webb, who said.
“Noa Lang is a natural ball-carrier, creator and goalscorer whether operating centrally or off either flank, whose game really developed rapidly within the Ajax youth system, and a player who would excel in the Premier League. There is something of the Emile Smith Rowe about him — forever making those third-man runs while carrying such a potent attacking threat. He’s a player who won’t hug the touchline if operating wide, but will always look to cut in-field. Or he could operate centrally in a 4-3-3 alongside two more defensive-minded , with licence to get forward as a line-break. Webb goes on to say Lang has the physical attributes to sign in the Premier League and would do well at Everton, and some other clubs.
With Frank Lampard knowing he needs to improve his midfield and add creativity, Lang could be a replacement for Richarlison or the creative spark Everton has lacked. The article also mentions Alex Scott of Bristol City as a younger player who could step up to the Premier League. He might need a season on the fringes, but he played 38 games in the Championship, either at right wingback or in midfield and that kind of adaptability makes him worth a shot for Everton. As a wingback, he went forward a lot and that’s something Lampard likes a lot, using wingbacks as width in attack.
My thoughts: I really don’t know what’s going to happen with Richarlison. I hope he stays but it’s up to him. Also, I’m going to start a paywall on 1 August, so I can get a bit of beer and snack money to watch Everton.
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