Richarlison is convinced his switch of position this term will herald a return to the Premier League scoring form of the Brazilian’s opening two seasons with Everton.

The forward was on target within three minutes of coming off the bench against Watford on Saturday following six weeks out with a knee problem.

That strike against his former club at Goodison Park was a second of the campaign for Richarlison, who came back from a breathless summer with his national team to score one goal and assist another in the first-day victory over Southampton.

Richarlison scored 13 Premier League goals in both seasons directly after joining Everton in summer 2018.

Of his 13 goals last term, six were in cup competitions.

“Last season, I played in numerous positions on the right and left but I scored the most goals when I played centrally,” Richarlison told evertonfc.com.

“With Rafa Benitez, I am playing more centrally, a position where I feel more comfortable and am closer to goal.

“I think everything is in place to score more goals in the Premier League, as I'll be nearer the goal.

“Playing centrally here and for Brazil is really important to me.

“It's my preferred position and, playing there this season, I feel better and more confident and I hope to score many more goals.”

Richarlison’s first conversation with Benitez following the Spaniard’s appointment as Everton boss in June was over the player’s desire to represent his country in the Olympic football tournament.

The 24-year-old related last week that he felt indebted to the Club for granting his wish – and wanted to deposit his repayments in the shape of match-winning performances.

He claimed a gold medal in Japan to cap an extraordinarily busy two months.

Richarlison featured in all seven games of Brazil’s Copa America campaign, which began on 13 June and ended in final defeat by Argentina exactly four weeks later.

There was a whirlwind visit to hometown Nova Venecia to decompress – Richarlison reuniting with family after two years, albeit he was unable to see his mum, who had contracted COVID.

The Olympic event for Brazil started on 22 July, when Richarlison scored a hat-trick in a victory over Germany, with the final on 7 August – seven days before Everton met Southampton.

“Playing for the Seleção is a source of tremendous pride, when we put on that Brazil shirt, we give our everything,” said Richarlison.

“I was exhausted at the Olympics. I didn't train properly between the quarter-finals and the final.

“I was at my limit there and I went into it with my heart and soul and the desire to represent Brazil and that's why I managed to make it through to the final.

“In 2019, Juninho Paulista (Brazil team co-ordinator) asked me whether I wanted to play in the Olympics.

“I said yes straight away as it is a dream for anyone, when I was little at school the teacher would put the Olympics on for us. I said I wanted to be part of the team and win the tournament.

“I was true to my word, I honoured the Brazil shirt and, thank God, I am an Olympic champion. 

“I gave my everything... and managed to recover for the start of the season.

“Unfortunately, this knee injury came along but everything will be fine and I can get back to giving my all for Everton.”

Until this summer, Richarlison last visited family following Brazil’s successful 2019 Copa America tournament.

His last extended break from football, meanwhile, was 12 months further back following a single season with Watford.

“I have a personal trainer at home who looks after me and I do additional work to recover faster,” said Richarlison.

“That's why I’ve usually been able to play in every game.

“I look after myself away from training. I feel good, I'm still young and want to play every weekend, every midweek fixture. I want to play in absolutely every Everton game.”

Richarlison added: "Losing the Copa America final really hurt.

“I returned to my hometown and saw my friends and family. It was only two days but long enough to restore my energy. 

"When I'm there, I’m really happy."