Everton manager Marco Silva has said that he will pick his team for the forthcoming game against Newcastle United on merit rather than looking into the names of the players within the first-team squad.
The Toffees have recently been on the uptrend with four points from the matches against Cardiff City and Liverpool and they can continue the good momentum when they face Newcastle United at St James Park today.
In a press conference covered by The Guardian, the Portuguese tactician has said that he does not ponder into the names when making the selection and the players must earn their places with consistent performances.
He added to specifically mention Richarlison, who has recently found himself in-and-out of the starting lineup amid his struggles to produce the same level of productivity when compared to the first half of the season.
“When I prepare for a game the names are not really important to me. If I take that decision then for sure Richarlison fully understands. He just has one solution – show to me during the 30 minutes he came in [against Liverpool] that he’s ready again and show during the week that he wants his place in the team.”
Richarlison has gone off the boil since the turn of the year and he has netted just once in the top-flight in nine matches. As such, his position from the starting lineup has come under doubt and Silva needs to make a decision for the Tyneside trip.
The Brazil international does not remain the sole player under pressure to perform with Theo Walcott equally struggling to impress from the right side of the attack. Walcott has continued to get the backing of the manager in the difficult run but he could be dropped, should the lean form persist.
