Should Richarlison replace Tosun as Everton’s first-choice centre forward?

Add as preferred source on Google

Against Leicester City on Saturday, Marco Silva tried to give his attack a facelift.

First-choice striker Cenk Tosun has netted just one goal all season; and offers more of a fixed focal point for Everton’s attack rather than pulling defenders around.

So Silva reached for his most-trusted lieutenant Richarlison and played him up front as a centre-forward.

Flanked by nippy widemen Bernard and Theo Walcott, suddenly the Toffees had a livewire front three; capable of pushing defences back and creating the space Gylfi Sigurdsson needs to score screamers like the weekend’s winner.

But should Silva make the switch a more long-term one? Tosun has failed to translate a hot streak at the end of last season into a strong start to this and the move certainly offered more mobility.

Over at the London Stadium, former Toffees boss David Moyes transformed Marko Arnautovic from flighty winger to potent striker; Manuel Pellegrini is now reaping the rewards.

In truth, the answer depends on circumstance. Richarlison is less physically imposing than Arnautovic and some occasions may call for Tosun’s superior hold-up play.

But with Walcott also capable of playing as a striker, the shift offers Everton a sense of unpredictability. There is something about a front three that can interchange positions that unsettles defences and it could certainly be successful again.

Just don’t write Tosun off just yet.