Benitez comments on chances of ending Everton trophy drought
Everton last won a trophy in 1995, and Rafa Benitez has revealed he dreams of ending their silverware drought before leaving Goodison Park.
The Spaniard, 61, succeeded Carlo Ancelotti in the summer and has led his side to four wins, two draws and a defeat in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign so far.
Everton were dumped out of the League Cup by Queens Park Rangers last month, and having a good run in the FA Cup is their most realistic chance of winning something this term.
The Toffees won the competition in 1994-95, winning the FA Charity Shield in the same year. They have not gotten close to winning silverware since then, but Rafa is hoping he can change that.
He told the ECHO: “I would like to create this situation. Because I will have been successful.
“I have 13 trophies. I think that we can improve things here. Everywhere. A winning mentality is something which can take time. We are still far away but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a run in the FA Cup.
“This squad is okay, but when you talk about top sides and they have top players on the bench and they can change players and still keep a good level, that is the difference. For us, we are working on that and we still have to improve a little bit.
“But at the same time if you want to be successful you need very good staff around you and we are improving that – and little by little we will get better.”
Hopeful?
Having won two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup with Valencia, four trophies with Liverpool, two at Inter Milan, one with Chelsea, two at Napoli, and the EFL Championship with Newcastle, Benitez sure knows how to bag silverware, and Everton fans will hope some of that good luck can rub off on them.
While they are not in contention for the title and will be more than happy to finish in the top-seven, winning the F.A Cup is feasible like Leicester City showed last term.
Admittedly, the Toffees need to make quality squad additions to have any chance of ending their trophy drought anytime soon.
They have a decent team, but they have to strengthen across all areas on the pitch if they want to challenge for Europe and win something.
That will constantly be on Benitez’s mind, and if they make some smart recruitment going forward, anything is possible.
In other Everton news, Toffees ace has said he’s coming back after injury issues.
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