Wednesday 18 October 2017 16:38, UK
Richarlison has been one of the Premier League's surprises of the season at high-flying Watford. Nick Wright assesses the Brazilian's impressive impact for Marco Silva's side ahead of their meeting with Chelsea, live on Sky Sports on Saturday…
Chelsea might have considered a home game against Watford as a relatively straight-forward proposition last season, but this time around the circumstances are rather different. While the Premier League champions slipped to their third defeat of the season at Crystal Palace last weekend, Watford's dramatic win over Arsenal sent them into the top four.
The Marco Silva revolution is well under way at Vicarage Road and no player has been more important to it than Richarlison. The Brazilian courted controversy when he was accused of diving for Watford's penalty against Arsenal, but one way or another, it was not the first time he has been decisive for his new side.
In fact, with his stoppage-time goals against Swansea and West Brom last month, Richarlison has already won them three points single-handedly. The £13m forward arrived from Fluminense as an unknown quantity in the Premier League. Two months into the season, however, it is already clear why he was a priority for Silva.
"He is a fantastic boy, an amazing talent," Watford's head coach said last month. "From the first day I arrived I said to the board that I want him, because I believe a lot in this player. You never know how he will react because this is another country, but everything he has done until now is amazing."
Richarlison only turned 20 in May and only made his first top-flight appearance last year, but as Silva says, any doubts about how he might adapt to his new surroundings have evaporated swiftly. Since coming off the bench to help Watford snatch a draw against Liverpool on the opening day of the season, he has become a fixture on their left wing, playing 620 of a possible 630 minutes.
"He's fitted into the group straight away and settled in really well," said Watford defender Adrian Mariappa recently. "He's got character about him and his age doesn't seem to matter. He plays with a lot of personality and the boys really love him."
Richarlison's speed, power and skill are perfectly suited to English football and Silva has deliberately engineered his side to maximise his impact. According to Opta, 41 per cent of Watford's attacks have come down their left flank this season. It is the highest ratio of any Premier League side and the youngster has embraced the responsibility.
His three goals and one assist are the standout numbers so far, but Silva's praise for "everything he has done" hints at a wider contribution. Indeed, Richarlison has a broad array of strengths. As well as making more dribbles and taking more shots than any of his team-mates, he has also won the most aerial duels. His headed equaliser against West Brom exemplified his threat from set pieces.
Richarlison gives Watford width on the left but he also loves to cut inside and use his favoured right foot. He has proved a handful for every full-back he has faced - Hector Bellerin being the latest - and the stats show he has already had 53 touches in the opposition box. It puts him above Romelu Lukaku and Sergio Aguero and behind only Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.
Richarlison is Watford's attacking spark, but for a side who average less than 50 per cent possession - and for a coach whose playing style is energetic and aggressive - he is also required to work hard defensively. Silva's wide players are charged with protecting their full-backs and winning back possession high up the pitch.
Richarlison has excelled in that regard, pressing opposition defenders into mistakes and charging up and down the flank tirelessly. He may not have scored or assisted in the 2-0 win over Southampton back in September, but he did make eight tackles - the second-most by any Premier League player in any game all season. As Mariappa put it: "He always puts a great shift in for the team."
It is just another reason why he is already so important to Watford, and it might not be long until he is known at international level either. Richarlison has already represented Brazil's U20s, scoring three goals in 10 appearances, but reports in South America suggest he is already in the frame for a senior call-up.
For now, though, his focus will be Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge. Will Watford come up with another shock against one of the Premier League's elite? As Silva turns his mind to the challenge ahead, there's no doubt that Richarlison will be central to his plans.
Watch Chelsea v Watford live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am on Saturday
