Everton star Richarlison has said that he wants to play Champions League football with the Merseysiders following a conversation with manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The Goodison Park side have been markedly improved since the Italian took over from Marco Silva – with European qualification a potential outcome this or next season.
“Obviously, my number one desire is to get in the Europa League or Champions League with Everton,” Richarlison said, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
“I spoke to Ancelotti and he is counting on me and so I am focusing on helping Everton and fulfilling my personal objectives and scoring goals.”
The Brazil international has grown in leaps and bounds since his arrival at Everton from Watford during the summer of 2018.
He has gone on to become a key player for the Toffees and has so far scored 23 Premier League goals from 60 appearances for the Goodison club.
The 22-year-old has now become regarded as one of the best players in the English top-flight who does not play for the traditional giants.
The South American is also a key part of the Brazilian national team and helped his nation to win the Copa America last year.
Richarlison’s displays would have surely attracted the big-guns of world football and it is hard to see Everton keeping hold of him for the long-term.
He is definitely worthy of playing in the Champions League and will want to do this sooner rather than later.
Everton do have an outside chance of reaching the Champions League this season.
They are currently eight points adrift of fourth place Chelsea.
A late season run of successive wins at this point could increase their chances of qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition ahead of next season.
The Toffees struggled during the first half of the campaign under Silva but have improved significantly since the arrival of Ancelotti as their manager.
There is renewed hope that they can attain a strong finish this season.
