Everton and Tottenham wanted £8m midfielder, he's started only three games since Sean Dyche talks
Today at 02:45 PM
Squad-building might not have been Everton’s strong point in recent years but at least Sean Dyche can call upon an impressive, varied collection of central midfielders these days.
The additions of Orel Mangala and Tim Iroegbunam during the summer transfer window, added to the existing options of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner, means that the spine of this Toffees team remains pretty strong, even if there are some pretty obvious weaknesses elsewhere.
Iroegbunam and Mangala bring control and composure, freeing up Doucoure to dash forward as he likes to do while helping to ease the burden on an ageing Gana Gueye.
"[We have] the legs of Doucoure, Mangala with his know-how. Tim has done great but he's still young,” Dyche told reporters at the start of the season. “[Iroegbunam] he will do great and keep developing.
"Mangala is slightly more rounded and experienced. Douc too, with his energy and legs."
‘Energy’ and ‘legs’, meanwhile, is a pretty fitting description of what Amir Richardson would have brought to the Everton party. Tottenham were also keen on the then-Reims colossus.
But Richardson – a giant of a man at 6ft 6ins – opted to snub The Toffees’ proposal while holding out for an eventual £8 million switch to Fiorentina.
Only three Serie A starts since Amir Richardson snubbed Everton for Fiorentina
HITC reported back in August that that, after a fine breakout season in France’s Ligue 1, Amir Richardson was a target Tottenham, Leicester City and Brentford, as well as Everton.
Richardson’s agent, meanwhile, would later explain to Space Viola that the Merseyside outfit had indeed shown a ‘great interest’ in his client. There were talks, too, with Dyche himself.
"The decision to join Fiorentina was influenced by several factors," the representative said. "Firstly, the persuasive approach of the club members. The opportunity to play in Serie A, against some of the best talents in the world, also had a significant impact on the choice.
"Everton, Ajax and Fenerbahce were monitoring his situation with great interest, which is completely understandable given his young age and considerable potential. Amir had discussions with all the coaches of the interested clubs.
"But the first to contact him was (Fiorentina boss) Raffaele Palladino, with whom he had a video call. From the very beginning, his strong interest was clear."
Palladino has not, however, shown much ‘interest’ in starting Richardson all that regularly during his first few months on Italian soil.
As the Aston Villa-linked Michael Kayode falls out of favour, the France-born Morocco international has only started three Serie A games out of a possible 12, playing a rather limited role during a remarkable run of six straight Fiorentina wins.
An injury Richardson suffered on international duty during the November break, meanwhile, means the towering 22-year-old will have to wait until 2025 in order to set about earning a more frequent spot in Palladino’s XI.
Fiorentina boss backs former Ligue 1 ace to come good in Italy
Still, a lack of starts does not mean Richardson is not a valued member of the Fiorentina squad. Palladino likes his versatility and his qualities in possession. Two attributes that Everton were also looking for, particularly after losing the totemic Amadou Onana to Aston Villa.
"It was our idea when building the team. I asked the club for ball-playing players in the middle of the field,” Palladino explained. “[Richardson] will become a great player.
“He can also play as a second striker. Maybe he can play as an attacking midfielder.”
Richardson was not the only Fiorentina midfielder to snub Everton’s advances, meanwhile. Eduardo Bove also chose La Viola over Goodison Park, though The Toffees did take some measure of revenge when beating the Serie A surprise packages to Mangala’s signature.
