Carlo Ancelotti has demanded that Everton carry the “kind of spirit” they showed against Manchester City into their final ten games of the season.
The Toffees face a battle to secure European qualification ahead of next season with competition for spots heating up as the Premier League approaches the campaign’s end.
Just five points separate Everton in eighth and Chelsea in fourth, with Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham all falling in the middle.
Everton do possess an advantage over some of the clubs above them however in the way of a game in hand, a win in which would see them leapfrog both Tottenham and the Reds.
Reflecting on Everton’s loss against Manchester City in the FA Cup, Ancelotti told evertontv that he will demand that his players continue to work hard to achieve their ambitions this seasons.
Ancelotti said: “We competed and have to be pleased, our supporters have to be proud of the team.
“With this kind of spirit in the next 10 games, we can get good results and fight for Europe until the end of the season.
“It will be a big fight for that [European qualifying] position because a lot of teams are involved. This break can help us recover some players who are out – James [Rodriguez] and, maybe, [Jean-Philippe] Gbamin.
“We will have a more complete squad and can fight by maintaining the same spirit and attitude [as against Manchester City].
“The physical condition of the players is good – [it is important] to have a rest because some players are a little bit tired, then prepare well for the next game.”
Big push
Europe almost seemed inevitable a couple of weeks ago, but successive defeats to Chelsea and Burnley has changed that outlook quite rapidly.
Now the Blues face serious competition for the final European spots, particularly if Liverpool and Tottenham continue to improve in the coming weeks.
Fortunately for Everton, Europe is ours to lose.
If the Toffees were to win their game in hand and continue winning until the season ends, neither Liverpool nor Tottenham would be able to catch them.
To that end, Ancelotti now needs excellence on the pitch at every opportunity, because if Everton slip they could quite easily kiss goodbye to continental competition, and that will have a knock-on effect for summer transfers.
Farhad Moshiri hired Ancelotti because he knew that the Italian could use his influence and coaching ability to build something on Merseyside, and that could be severely halted if Everton can’t bring European football back to Goodison Park.
It’s going to be a big ten games for Everton and we’ll have our fingers crossed that they can get the job done.
In other Everton news, Everton have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to sign Lucas Vasquez this summer.