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The improvement in Everton's attacking options could well prove to be the biggest success story of the club's summer.

Supporters haven't been given the opportunity to see the likes of Italian wonderkid Moise Kean or former Arsenal playmaker Alex Iwobi just yet, but on paper there are certainly some exciting talents at Marco Silva's disposal.

That's not to mention of course the fantastic players already at Goodison Park before the transfer window opened, including Richarlison in particular.

It was another whirlwind campaign for the youngster last term. Scoring a brace on his debut, being sent off in his third match, earning his first Brazil senior call up, finishing as Everton's joint top scorer - the list goes on.

All of that was achieved while the 22-year-old lined up across multiple positions in that front three, including spending a large portion of the campaign as Silva's lead striker.

While his performances might not have been as consistently convincing as he might have liked, Richarlison has now confirmed that central role is his favoured position.

"My preference is to play as a No. 9," the Brazil international made clear to Goal in an exclusive interview.

"That's where I started my career, playing down the middle, and it's where I have played for the Selecao.

"It's good for me to play there, because it gives me the chance to score lots of goals.

"My preference is to be a No. 9, I believe."

However, that favoured role might not be a possibility all too often this season. In fact, many Blues supporters will be hoping that is exactly the case.

It's been obvious for two seasons now that Everton have been missing that focal point up front - try as many might to fill the hole left by Romelu Lukaku in the side.

Last season the role was a fluid one, shared between Cenk Tosun, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the most part.

(Image: Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images)

The end of the campaign of course saw the latter grab his opportunity with both hands and prove himself to be a vital member of the side which produced some great results against tough opposition.

However, goals were still missing, and Marcel Brands has moved to solve that issue this summer.

The arrival of Moise Kean was a hugely exciting one for Everton supporters. Here were the Blues taking one of Italy's top young talents for their own and giving him the opportunity to progress to a top level as many expect he might.

For those already at the club, though, the pressure was turned up a notch.

Calvert-Lewin started against Crystal Palace to open the season, but already there are questions over whether he will be granted the same berth this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Blues would still be open to selling Tosun if the right offer were to come in, which shows how far away he is from being the lead man.

But one player who is maybe unexpectedly now affected by the arrival of Kean is Richarlison.

The Brazilian might prefer to play through the middle, but where will that chance arise for itself now?

Everton fans will hope that Kean, Calvert-Lewin or preferably both will stand up to the task and start banging in the goals the club desperately desire.

All the while, of course, there will still be a place out wide for Richarlison - where he has ultimately produced his best football for the club.

No other option Silva has out wide can produce the raw pace, skill, attacking threat, work rate and defensive capability as the 22-year-old. He's crucial for the side there.

Maybe, by the time the season ends, the youngster's preference will have changed.

Or, perhaps, he will have established himself as Everton's lead striker.

But as things stand, Richarlison's season might be one of compromise in some respect - and that could be crucial for the Blues.