Marcel Brands has revealed he didn't hesitate when signing Richarlison from Watford for Everton in 2018.
The former director of football at Goodison Park was the man behind signing Richarlison for the Blues even though he knew he would later move on.
The Brazilian went on to play 152 times for Everton, scoring 53 goals and registering 14 assists before securing a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer worth around £60 million.
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There was an acceptance that the 25-year-old would leave in pursuit of Champions League football and Brands knew this from the day he signed him.
“He has everything to be a top striker,” Brands told NOS. “He was our number one target as a striker. You knew with him: Everton is not going to be his end station. We bought him at the time for a lot of money, but I never saw that as a risk.
“He was so eager to score a goal, which was unprecedented. I remember (Carlo) Ancelotti (then Everton manager) saying to me after a couple of training sessions: ‘Gosh, how Richarlison can head, what timing.’
“He is also a boy who behaves respectfully. When I left Everton, he thanked me for my support.”
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