Marco Silva one of the best coaches in the world, says Everton's Richarlison

'Without a doubt, if he's not already one of the best coaches in the world he will go on to become one'

Richarlison has declared Marco Silva one of the world’s leading coaches as he looks forward to a re-union with the Portuguese manager who brought him to the English game 12 months ago.

The 21-year-old Brazilian will open his second Premier League season at Wolves on Saturday under the same manager, but a different club, after switching to Everton from Watford in a £40m transfer this summer.

And he will start the season firmly in the spotlight – not only because of the hefty fee and comparisons with a young Cristiano Ronaldo, but also due to his dramatic dip in form over the second half of last season after Silva was sacked by the Hornets following initial approaches by Everton.

“Without a doubt, if he’s not already one of the best coaches in the world he will go on to become one,” said Richarlison. “I think he will win titles with Everton and, who knows, maybe a national team in the future.

“Last season, unfortunately there was a decline but there wasn’t just a decline with me. We started the season brilliantly, we got up to fourth place but we had a smaller squad and unfortunately that was reduced with injuries and there was a decline in the whole team.

“I’m really happy with my first season in the Premier League, I played 38 games and managed to stay injury free.

“I think there was some difficulty when Marco left last season but that was more to do with the language. (Heurelho) Gomes was still there. It’s not an excuse, any decline in performance wasn’t to do with Marco Silva leaving.

“As I said, it wasn’t just my decline, it was an overall team decline. I continued giving everything, putting my life on the line on the pitch and that is what I will continue doing going forward.”

New Everton signing Richarlison starts the season firmly in the spotlight (Everton FC via Getty Images)

Richarlison’s arrival was greeted by raised eyebrows in some Evertonian quarters this summer, especially as he failed to find the net after mid-November last season as Watford slipped precipitously down the league table.

But TV pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Richarlison has similar potential to Ronaldo when he first arrived in the English game – an apt comparison given the player’s upbringing.

“I remember my dad and uncle watched a lot of Premier League games when I was a kid and I watched with them,” Richarlison said.

“There were a lot of Manchester United games on TV so at the time it was Cristiano Ronaldo playing and his goals, dribbling – that was probably the major influence.

“I’m happy with that comparison but I am merely Richarlison, Cristiano has achieved so much.

“I am relaxed about the transfer fee. I think Watford did a good piece of business. They got the price they wanted and I thank God I’m at Everton. I am aiming high. I want to achieve a lot here, make history here and make a name for myself at Everton.”

Comparisons have been drawn between Richarlison and Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

He appears well placed to do precisely that, having proved a popular figure among Everton fans already at pre-season games and speaking repeatedly of his wish to perform his “pigeon dance” – a celebration he made famous in Brazil with his former club Fluminense – when he scores for his new club.

On a more serious note, ingratiating himself with local fans is no surprise given his charitable efforts in his hometown Nova Venecia this summer.

“I definitely feel I can be a positive example,” he said. “I would like to be a role model and continuing to help those in need.

“This summer I got together my childhood friends and my family to organise a charity game. The price of the ticket was one kilo of foodstuffs and happily we collected three tonnes which we distributed to those in need.

“I feel proud of what we achieved. I hadn’t been home properly for ages. When I had visited in recent years it was only for one day here and there. This time I managed to stay there for a full week and we were able to help a lot of people.”