Everton news: ‘Catastrophic’ Richarlison transfer update could be ‘crippling’ – pundit
Losing both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison would be “catastrophic” for Everton, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed it will be “horrible” for Toffees fans to think about life without the star pair.
According to 90Min (22 March), representatives of Richarlison, 24, have told Everton that the striker wants to leave in order to boost his chances of being named in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, as per The Sun (26 March), the Toffees will sell Calvert-Lewin, 25, during the main transfer window as boss Frank Lampard looks to “slash the payroll” at Goodison Park.
The duo combined for over half of Everton’s Premier League goals last season but have seen this campaign blighted by injury.
Whelan claimed the only way to have a chance of keeping both stars at the club is to remain in the top flight.
“To lose both Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison? That’d be catastrophic,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“The only way they can possibly even dream of keeping both of them is by staying in the Premier League. Going down is hard to think about, but it’s possible.
“Losing two strikers of their quality and stature would be crippling for Everton, absolutely.
“They are the big names in the side, and I’m sure it’s horrible for the fans to think about life without them. Where would they begin to rebuild that forward line?”
Everton sit 17th in the Premier League, just three points outside of the drop zone.
Richarlison is out of contract in 2024, while Calvert-Lewin’s deal expires in 2025.
In other news, pundit claims Dele Alli’s future is already in doubt after “concerning” Lampard decision.