SM
Greece vs. England: 1 hr 57 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Carlo Ancelotti admits quality of Everton squad must improve

:Headline: Carlo Ancelotti admits quality of Everton squad must improve: ID:438051: from db_amp
Three wins in a week have propelled the Italian's side into top-four contention.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti knows he has to improve the quality in his squad if they want to consistently challenge for Champions League football.

Three wins in a week have propelled the Italian's side into top-four contention and they head into the weekend just a point behind Monday's opponents Chelsea but with a match in hand.

The trip to Stamford Bridge is a pivotal one for Everton if they are to maintain their progress and fulfil Ancelotti's dream of being able to play in Europe's elite club competition again.

That ambition seemed an unrealistic prospect when he took over in mid-December 2019 with an underperforming side who were just four points above the relegation zone.

The shrewd acquisition of players he knows well – James Rodriguez from his time at Real Madrid and Allan with whom he worked at Napoli – plus defender Ben Godfrey from Norwich and Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure have made a significant difference to their fortunes this season.

Ancelotti's work with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, enjoying the best goalscoring season of his career, and Richarlison has elevated Everton above their perennial quest for the top six.

But there will need to be more high-class signings – since majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri took over five years ago the club have spent around £500million on transfers – if they are to qualify for, and play in, the Champions League.

"It's my team. I am really happy to be the manager of this team and these players because I feel they follow me, they have a lot of respect for my idea," he said.

"Of course we would like to play better. I'm not the only one who would like to play better, most of the players want to play better.

"In this sense we have to improve the technical quality of the squad, but what we cannot do is improve the spirit of this team. It is really high.

"We are not at the top at the moment so we have difficulty to fight for the first four positions in the Champions League. We want to fight.

"Of course to be competitive in the Champions League we have to improve."

Everton's success has been based on their away form, as they have taken 29 points from a possible 39 on the road, and that will stand them in good stead as they head to London.

Asked what the key to that was, Ancelotti said: "The defence. I think they key is we are more focused defensively away.

"We were a little more scared, more worried to play away games, so now we are more focused defensively.

"Our results away (are down to) a really good defence. On top of that strength, you have quality on the counter-attack and set-pieces.

"Most of these victories came from set-pieces. It's not difficult to read Everton's performances."

amp_article__438051 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-06 09:10:56:
html db last update - 2021-03-06 09:10:56 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Carlo Ancelotti

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .