It’s fair to say Richarlison wasn’t best pleased about being substituted in Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham.
The Brazilian’s frustration was clear for all to see as he trudged off to be replaced by Josh King after 84 minutes.
We asked former Toffees stopper Nigel Martyn what he made of the incident and he clearly felt it was something and nothing.
During our exclusive interview, he said it is to be expected when one striker scores and the other doesn’t – it was the same with former England striker Ian Wright when they played together at Crystal Palace.
“He was probably frustrated,” Martyn said of Richarlison. “He comes across as a bit of a moody guy anyway.
“He’s always slightly moodier if Calvert-Lewin’s scored and he hasn’t. That’s strikers. Ian Wright was like that with Mark Bright.
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“If we’d won but Wrighty hadn’t scored, he’d be grumpy coming home. If they both scored, everything was happy in the camp. I don’t think there’s a problem with that.
“You’d just have a word with him as a manager and say ‘don’t make it so public’. I know you want to score but it’s about managing the end of the game and making sure you get the win.”
Richarlison did put a great shift in for the team on Sunday and the games are coming thick and fast at the end of the season.
If he can give one of his top players a few minutes of rest, as well as protecting the win, then he’s going to do it.
As Martyn eluded to, no player likes being taken off, but it’s about not showing that frustration so publicly.
Carlo Ancelotti is an experienced manager and will likely have put the issue to bed already, while hoping Richarlison can respond by getting on the scoresheet at Aston Villa on Thursday night.
Nigel Martyn speaking to Everton News: Archive