Carlo Ancelotti claims there are no issues with Richarlison – despite what appears an increasingly fractious relationship between the pair.
The Everton manager criticised his Brazil international in the defeat by Newcastle, making it clear he was not happy with his work-rate.
Then at Leeds, Richarlison seemed angry and showed dissent when he was substituted.
But Ancelotti indicated that the air has been cleared, with the forward likely to face Manchester United, after he told the star he simply has to work harder.
The Italian said: “Richarlison is OK, he’s not in his best moment but we still have confidence.
“It’s true that he has not scored a lot of goals.
“It’s true that he’s unhappy with this but he’s young, he’s a striker and he wants to score goals.
“I was not happy with him against Newcastle because I think he could work more. Against Leeds he did fantastic defensive work and I was pleased with that performance.”
Richarlison’s body language told a different story at Elland Road, when he was taken off 10 minutes from time, but the Blues boss explained his move by arguing he had to bring on defender Michael Keane to protect the lead.
He said: “I took Richarlison off not for tactical reasons but to put fresh legs on at the end. He understood this.
“He’s in the right way. I don’t know if it is against Manchester or the game after he will be at 100 per cent.”
Realist Ancelotti says that Everton’s first target this season must be to secure a top-six finish and earn Europa League football.
“We have to challenge for the first six places that give us the possibility to play in Europe,” he said. “We don’t have to think to the first four.
“Honestly, that will be really, really difficult – really, really complicated.
“We have to look to stay high up as long as possible. To stay where we are for as long as possible.”
Everton face a huge period after the United visit – with games against Manchester City and Liverpool scheduled only three days apart.
But Ancelotti said: “No problem for this. We have to play two games against City and Liverpool.
“Sooner or later we have to play them so it doesn’t matter if both of the games are really close.
“It’s an important period. In the moment physically we are good.
“We will have Allan back next week so we will have all the squad back. We can manage this period well.”
