Richarlison features as Brazil win Copa America opener

Our boy shone, Neres was Lookman-like and flattered to deceive.

Booed off at halftime in which Brazil's midfield failed to show any creativity to open up the solid defensive lines of Bolivia, other than Richarlison's sharp movement and passing, within four minutes of the restart they were two goals to the good ironically scored by the hugely ineffective Coutinho.

The first resulted from a VAR penalty correctly given when Richarlison's cross hit a defender's errant arm.

The second when Richarlison's telling pass finally opened up Bolivia's rearguard to give Firmino time and space to hit a first time cross for Coutinho to head into an open goal.

With the game won at 3-0 Richarlison was withdrawn for Willan with 8 minutes to go.

Neres had already long been substituted by a player who I consider as good as anyone currently playing in the Brazilian league. He is as technically gifted as Neres, possibly faster, scores more goals. He contributed more in less minutes than Neres last night, including scoring the goal of the game.

He plays for possibly the best pure footballing side in the Brazilian league - Gremio - and should he ever join us, his name would be forever in the thoughts of Blues everywhere.

He's name is 'Everton'.

As for Everton to Everton. Sounds like it's written in the stars.

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We want more pace and goals in the team? I suggest Everton 'Cebolinha' - 'little onion' (don't ask me why!!!) - would be an upgrade on Bernard. Could you ever see Bernard scoring the goals Everton does in this YT compilation?

Imagine him on the left and Richarlison on the right.

I can dream, can't I?

I love the mythical, epic feel to your comments! Like watching GoT.

Outstanding! I'm dreaming too now!

Tried to search last night for the Copa America games, but couldn't get anything on IPTV. With regards to Cebolinha 'the little onion' we've had enough over the years to make us cry, and not with ecstasy or joy either! Maybe this guy could buck that trend, but realistically Jay, what chance would we have of getting a player like that when Champions League Clubs will be sniffing round him like a dog on heat?

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Since then, haven't they failed to qualify for the Champions League, sacked Gattuso AND face a transfer embargo under FFP rules?

Still a Gremio player as I write, so why not Everton for Everton?

Still dreamin'!!!

A claim I think I heard on the Telemundo commentary that it was the oldest international football competition had me scrolling back through the Copa America history on Wikipedia. (Of course the now-defunct British Home Championship predated it.) Seems the one-name tradition with Brazilian players goes way way back... I did not realize that.

Like anything to do with South America, the tournament has a checkered history — almost every edition sees two or three teams withdraw for generally unspecified reasons! And the very first game in 1916 saw Chile complaining before and after the match that the Uruguayans (who beat them 4-0) were unfairly selecting "Africans" (black players).

Another from Gremio I'd say is worth a punt is Matheus Henrique, whose taken the reign as creative mid since Artur left for Barcelona.

Gremio is a team that always has quality coming through. Luan, long linked with a move to Europe, is another who may be worth a punt.

Yeah it certainly has a ring to it, Everton for Everton. Sod the journos, it's about time they had to do something to earn their corn, instead of gossip-mongering and gobshittery.

Any idea why he was called Everton or did his parents already know his destiny?

I also thought of you, Fran Mitchell, when writing my posts, knowing how enthusiastic you have been in the past about Gremio and the football they play.

Just turned 23 in March, Everton Sousa Soares is 'oven-ready' for the Premier League, I'm convinced.

And – sorry to bring Andre Gomes into the discussion – but, if the rumour is true we are prepared to pay him 𧴰k a week, I will continue (like Sam Hoare) to be a contrarian with regard to his value to the side.

Yes, André is a fine player. On his day, he can be an exceptional player. But those days are too few and far between. For that money, I would want us to spend it on a more consistent 'game-changer'. Everton Sousa Soares is a game-changer.

We could offer Everton half of that and it would be a substantial increase on his existing salary.

I can understand Everton looking to invest in 'future potential', but some players already have more advanced potential than others. Everton of Gremio is one of them.

And Jay @ 15, the question of why he got the name 'Everton' is one for Pete Jones to investigate, the author of a series of excellent posts on the origins of Everton-related names. A few of us have already kicked around ideas how and why the name 'Everton' entered the Brazilian lexicon and is used as a common first name.

Not sure if it is his destiny to play for us. With a nickname like 'cebolinha' (which literally means 'chives', but also 'little onions' as I wrote earlier), maybe his parents thought he was destined to run the family fruit and veg stall, as Gary Lineker might have done at Leicester, following in the footsteps of his dad!

Whatever, he is a wee crackerjack of a player.

Then seemingly doing the opposite, okay Gomes is decent without being spectacular, and we managed fine when he had a 3 match suspension. If he was keen to sign for us I'm sure he could have struggled by on 䀆k/week, but No, they offer him 𧴰k.

The same with this Lossl, he was on 㿈k at Huddersfield, we could all struggle by on that, he is joining as a reserve and mainly a bench warmer, behind presumably Pickford? Same again the club that's trying to 'cut down on wages' offer him 㿪k, more than double.

As you so rightly say this lad is on a pittance compared to those two, and is likely to get fans off their seats, as opposed to the aforementioned. Someone is speaking with forked tongue as they used to say in the old Cowboy and Indian movies.

I have a few twinges of doubt about his focus but he's an Everton throwback to the days when we were a byword for apparently effortless style. Just look at his grace and elegance; give him a proper pre-season and enjoy what follows. He's what we took for granted in the 60s.

Meanwhile, Richarlison is doing himself and us every type of favour with his work for Brazil. Good also to see his donation to sort out fees for some schoolkids in his home town who wanted to attend a mathematics event which they couldn't afford.

Interesting to see how Mina does against Messi, Aguero and Di Maria as his Colombia are about to face Argentina.

I'm hoping Mina will prove many of his doubters wrong next season. Though I do have doubts about him and Keane trying to play a high line.

That Everton player looks really good, Jay.

There's a Colombian player Liverpool are looking to sign called RedShite...