‘We are ambitious’ – Godfrey wants Everton to aim for Champions League
Ben Godfrey has insisted that Everton should embrace their Champions League ambitions this season, with the club currently within touching distance of the top four.
The Blues are just two points behind fourth-placed West Ham in the Premier League table with a game in hand, making qualification for Europe’s elite continental competition still a very real possibility.
Speaking after Everton’s 1-0 win over Southampton on Monday, Carlo Ancelotti was hesitant to talk about the club’s chances of achieving Champions League qualification, suggesting that being in the top four, even for a short time, would be impressive enough.
However, defender Godfrey, who joined the Toffees from Norwich City in the summer, believes that the club should fully embrace their ambition this season.
As reported by The Liverpool Echo, Godfrey said, “Everton is a huge club and we are ambitious, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do well, so why not aim for those Champions League spots?”
“All we can do is focus on ourselves and go into every game with the mentality of wanting to take three points, then see what happens at the end of the season.
“It would be wrong to say we’re not aiming for European qualification. We all want success and as long as we continue doing the same things and believing in ourselves there is no reason we shouldn’t achieve it.”
Breath of fresh air
It is so refreshing to hear someone speak so candidly about Everton’s European ambitions.
We all know that Everton would count themselves extremely fortunate to make the top four this season, for few reasons more prominent than the fact that the squad aren’t exactly worthy of such a competition just yet.
However, everything boils down to mentality and having the belief that the Blues could compete on that same level.
Imagining Everton back in Europe is one thing, but imagining them in the Champions League is something entirely different, and Godfrey’s encouraging words are a breath of fresh air.
Not many players or managers want to put themselves out there but Everton fans want to dream.
The rest of this season could be very exciting.
In other Everton news, AC Milan look set to rival Everton for the signature of Norwich defender Max Aarons.