---
title: "Sigurdsson claims he admires Richarlison’s work ethic and resilience"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/sigurdsson-claims-he-admires-richarlisons-work-ethic-and-resilience/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-11-13T12:00:09Z"
modified: "2019-11-13T12:00:09Z"
---

# Sigurdsson claims he admires Richarlison’s work ethic and resilience

Gylfi Sigurdsson has admitted that he admires Richarlison’s work ethic and determination to succeed, particularly considering his background.

The 22-year old endured a tough childhood in his native Brazil, growing up on tough streets of Nova Venecia where gun crime and drug dealing was a common occurrence.

![Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2019/11/1186540361.jpg)

The Iceland international has credited Richarlison for showing the mental strength to make it through those tough times, praising the forward was his resilience.

[Talking to the Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-striker-richarlison-upbringing-most-17244651), Sigurdsson said of Richarlison:

> He’s one of those players who gets kicked.
>
> He comes from a different lifestyle, he is very tough, he had a very tough upbringing – probably tougher than most people could handle.
>
> So me personally, I’ve got nothing but respect for him and the way he has come through and to where he’s at today.
>
> But he gets on with it, he gets a lot of kicks, he gets fouls, he doesn’t gets fouls and I like how he plays.

Richarlison has come under criticism in recent weeks for his proclivity to go down under pressure far too easily, with some fans thinking his diving is limiting his ability to impact Everton in a positive way.

Sigurdsson though defended the Brazilian, claiming he is more just the archetypal selfish South American, saying:

> He’s been fantastic for the club since he’s been with us.
>
> He’s been very good, he works very hard, he’s not a Brazilian who just wants the ball and doesn’t do his job defensively, he’s very good defensively and works very hard as well.

### Read Everton Verdict

Thought Sigurdsson’s praise of Richarlison does have some merit, for me he does still negatively impact Everton too often through his tendency to go to ground softly.

The Brazilian works hard, for sure, but if he stayed on his feet more his hard work would actually have a pay-off much more often.

Judging Richarlison in his current environment, and not the environment he grew up in, he has shown hints at his potential but he needs to continue working hard in order to realise it.