Injury expert: Benitez has got it spot-on with ‘blinkered’ Richarlison after Everton latest
Rafael Benitez was right to take off the “blinkered” Richarlison as Everton fell to defeat against Crystal Palace last Sunday (12 December).
So says injury and fitness expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries website and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Richarlison was replaced by Salomon Rondon with half an hour remaining in the 3-1 defeat, prompting boos from travelling Everton fans.
The Brazilian attacker, 24, appeared indignant after being taken off and was later spotted by television cameras watching on sullenly from the bench.
As per BBC Sport on Tuesday (14 December), Benitez revealed the decision was enforced by a calf problem that will rule Richarlison out for “a number of weeks”.
Dinnery insists that the under-fire Spanish manager was right to take the decision out of Richarlison’s hands.
“We know Rafa is meticulous in his planning and preparation,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“When players are in the heat of battle, they are blinkered, focused on the here-and-now.
“Rafa and his team have to look at the wider picture in terms of the medium and long-term over the festive period.
“Calvert-Lewin still isn’t back and it’s going to take him a while to get up to speed, which affects the picture as well.
“They also have a duty of care. Players may not always agree. But it is very easy to take things out of context when you’re watching at home.
“You can get caught up in the wave of opinion on social media. Sometimes, what happens behind the scenes doesn’t reflect what appears on the pitch.
“But if Rafa is to be believed, discussions were had at half-time and there was always a possibility that he would come off.
“His frustrations were maybe not aimed at Benitez but rather at not being able to perform at optimum levels.”
The Toffees face Chelsea tonight (16 December) at Stanford Bridge.
Benitez’ side are in freefall having won just one in their last 10 matches.
In other news, Everton swoop for Fabien Centonze as January price tag revealed.