When Everton paid a potential fee of around £40million for winger Richarlison in the summer, many laughed and joked. Fans from the other side of Stanley Park talked about Everton being the gift that keeps giving.

Sky Sports so-called ‘expert’ Paul Merson said that ‘Everton had broken the transfer market by spending such a big fee on the youngster’.

Although currently suspended from domestic action for a silly incident against Bournemouth, Richarlison made his full debut for Brazil on Tuesday night scoring a brace and also winning a penalty in a 5-0 drubbing of El Salvador.

Benefitted from a summer off

Richarlison started last season like a house on fire for former club Watford, scoring five times in 12 Premier League appearances in his first season in English football. However, after that initial burst of form, he struggled to perform for the Hornets.

There was a key reason for that dip in form. The youngster had been playing flat out for 18 months in club and international football. Any player would suffer fatigue with that sort of schedule.

Already showed his potential at Everton

Any fan of English football will have known about Richarlison’s potential from watching him early last season. Already he has shown his potential for Everton, scoring three goals in his first two Premier League games for the Toffees.

Unfortunately, for him and the Toffees, an altercation with Bournemouth’s Adam Smith in the Toffees third league game off the season saw him receive a red card. The incident showed that he still has a lot of maturing to do, his performances for the Merseysiders have been exciting, as was his international debut.

Richarlison has been touted for stardom in his home country for a long time. However, it took a big money move to Everton to raise his profile and highlight his potential once again.

Could be one of the brightest top-flight stars

Many of those cynics calling Richarlison a waste of money in July will be eating humble pie I suspect in May. The youngster now has the platform to go on and become a star.

Everton’s fans have faith in the young winger, while he seems to have a very strong relationship with Toffees boss Marco Silva. The Portuguese boss encourages players to express themselves and the youngster has responded well to being under the management of Silva once again.

Richarlison has the potential to go on and become one of the stars of the Premier League in the future. If he does, then the truly big fish of European football at the Barcelona and Real Madrid will no doubt come calling.

For now, though, Richarlison seems very happy at Everton and it is bringing the best out of the youngster. Everybody connected with the Toffees will be hoping that once he returns from suspension he can continue his hot streak of form, with the Merseysiders looking to challenge for a top-six spot this season.

If he can, then this could be a big season in the development of the bright young Brazilian star.

Can Richarlison keep up his good form for Everton this season?