Richarlison’s samba skills do the talking
RIChARLISON’S new team-mates cannot understand a word he says, but they have no trouble interpreting what he does with his feet.
The 20-year-old left his home in Brazil for the first time six weeks ago, preferring the Premier League to the eredivisie and Serie A. Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle had been monitoring his situation but Watford spent several months scouting him in Rio before offering £11.2million in July.
he could still have been on Copacabana beach in the first half when he flicked the ball over Bournemouth defender Adam Smith’s head and followed it up with a nutmeg.
With a few flicks, Richarlison had Smith beaten again inside Bournemouth’s penalty area and teammate Andre Gray should have converted when the ball was cut back.
Richarlison started english lessons last week, but he had no problem schooling Bournemouth’s defence for 80 minutes, until he was substituted for etienne Capoue, who added a second from 25 yards.
‘you can see he’s a very talented lad,’ team-mate Nathaniel Chalobah said. ‘ The language barrier is difficult, but he speaks fluent football and everyone in the team can understand him in that regard.
‘It’s pretty easy playing with him and we’re all delighted he’s got himself a goal. As players, there’s nothing more we can do besides applauding it. It’s so good to watch.’ After a second game in which Bournemouth were poor in attack, there’s a sense of growing frustration around 34-year- old Jermain Defoe having to wait for his first start for the club. ‘everybody wants to play and I think the manager knows I’m ready now,’ Defoe said. SUPER STAT: Richarlison is Watford’s sixth player to score on his first Premier League start. AFC BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-1-1): Begovic 6; A Smith 5.5, S Cook 5, Ake 6.5, Daniels 6; Ibe 5.5 (Pugh 60min, 6), Surman 6, Arter 6, Fraser 6 (Mousset 78); King 6; Afobe 6 (Defoe 60, 6). Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, B Smith, Mings. Booked: S Cook. Manager: Eddie Howe 5. WATFORD (4-2-3-1): Gomes 6.5; Femenia 6, Prodl 6.5, Britos 7, Holebas 6.5; Doucoure 6, Chalobah 7.5 (Watson 90); Amrabat 6.5 (Kabasele 82), Cleverley 6.5, Richarlison 8 (Capoue 80); Gray 7.5. Subs not used: Pantilimon, Deeney, Hughes, Okaka. Scorers: Richarlison 73, Capoue 86. Booked: Britos, Gray, Chalobah. Manager: Marco Silva 7.5. Man of the match: Richarlison. Referee: Roger East 6. Attendance: 10,501.