Former Goodison Park favourite Kevin Campbell has named Alex Iwobi as the ‘ideal’ replacement for Richarlison as Everton take on Southampton in the Premier League.
The Brazil international is injured for the game versus the Saints, but the former Toffee believes that Iwobi could be a good option to fill in his boots for the match:
“Alex Iwobi will be ideal choice to come into the Everton squad to replace Richarlison,” Campbell told Genting Bet (per Liverpool Echo).
“However, Ancelotti may want to change it to up a bit and bring in Bernard.
“I do think it’ll be Iwobi because he come on and inserted himself into games and he’s looked lively, so he’ll come in and Everton will keep on rolling.”
Difficult for Iwobi to replace Richarlison
Indeed, it is a bold task for Iwobi to replace what Richarlison could have offered Carlo Ancelotti’s team in their game at St. Mary’s Stadium.
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The latter has scored 33 goals for the Toffees in 86 matches in all competitions over the least three consecutive terms, including four strikes in the 2020/21 season so far (Transfermarkt).
Iwobi has only managed to score three times in 35 games over all competitions for the Blues in the last couple of campaigns, and only one so far in this term (Transfermarkt).
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Richarlison has been superior to the Nigeria international in terms of goal-scoring for EFC, and so it would be difficult for the latter to replace the goal threat that the former possesses.
Iwobi can offer other qualities
While Iwobi may not be able to match Richarlison in terms of scoring ability, he may offer different qualities being a more traditional wide player.
The 24-year old won 2.8 of his duels and also averaged 1.3 successful dribbles and one key pass per game in the top flight in the 2019/20 season (Sofascore).
Nonetheless, the former Arsenal man wiould have to be at his best if Ancelotti decides to put him in the starting line-up for the match in order to come anything close to the fantastic start to the campaign Richarlison has had..
Evertonians, find out who Richarlison compared to Cristiano Ronaldo here and do not forget to comment below!
