Silva: Rich has been too poor to pick

£45m BRAZILIAN STAR IS TOLD HE HAS TO STEP UP TO WIN BACK HIS PLACE

RICHARLISON has been told he must step up to regain his place in the Everton team.

The Goodison forward was dropped for last Sunday’s draw with Liverpool after a string of below-par performances.

He started the season in hot form following a £45million summer switch from Watford.

But Richarlison has scored just twice in 2019 and struggled to reach the heights that earned him a call-up for Brazil last year.

Everton boss Marco Silva insists the Samba star is well aware of what he needs to do after an impressive half-hour cameo against Liverpool from the bench.

“One season is a long period,” said Silva, whose side face Newcastle today.

“He started really well after he had some moments up and down.

“When I took one decision like I took in the last game it is because I felt it would be the best solution for our squad.

“In that moment Bernard came in against Cardiff, he’s done really well and helped the team change the game.

“He deserved to start that match against Liverpool. I take that decision.

“Richarlison is always working hard. During one season, you can be decisive in one match, not so decisive in another match.

“With the development of Richarlison you’re talking about a 21-year-old player, who has scored very important goals for us, good performances also, it wasn’t the best moment for him in the last week.

“I’m here to make decisions. What I want coming from him is what he did, he came on for 30 minutes, changed the game, all the players that came on did really well against Liverpool.

“He did a very good 30 minutes to show me he’s ready again if I decide for him to play or not.

“If I take that decision not to play him for sure Richarlison fully understands.

“He just had one solution – show to me during the 30 minutes he came in that he’s ready again and show during the week that he wants his place in the team and that is everything that he is doing.”

Everton will be without veteran defenders Leighton

Baines and Phil Jagielka at St James’

Park as they look to build on last week’s draw with Liverpool, but Colombia centreback Yerry Mina is available.