Everton could be about to make the shrewdest signing of transfer deadline day - at Chelsea's expenseplaceholder image
Everton could be about to make the shrewdest signing of transfer deadline day - at Chelsea's expense | Getty Images
Everton are on the right tracks under David Moyes, is silverware a realistic target?
David Moyes’ return to Everton made a lot of sense at the time and it has surprised nobody that he has provided much-needed stability.
The veteran boss has worked minor miracles with a thread bare squad, putting square pegs in round holes and asking players to go the extra mile as they look up the table instead of over their shoulders for the first time in a long time. Sitting eighth in the Premier League table and only a point off seventh, European is a distinct possibility despite Opta predicting otherwise.
Everton tipped to win a European trophy
Former Toffee Tony Cottee, speaking exclusively to Liverpool World via the home of online football betting, has backed Everton to do more than push for European football, but to replicate the success of one of Moyes’ old clubs: “I think they've got some excellent players, they've got a wonderful manager, I'm a massive fan of David Moyes. He's done a great job at my club, West Ham, and obviously he's gone back to Everton now, obviously my second team. I'm so pleased that he went there and he's doing such a great job. But, yeah, they should be pushing for Europe.
“I've just looked at the table, they're in eighth position, they're only a point behind Brentford in seventh. For Everton Football Club, it's been a long time. They need to get back to winning trophies and they need to get into Europe. I think that's where you can build from. David Moyes has done it with West Ham and I think he can do it with Everton. Let's hope that they can get the results that take them back into Europe.”
Can Everton win a European trophy?
Why not? Everton have shown that they can compete with and beat anyone in the Premier League which is certainly at a level comparable with the Europa Conference League and Europa League. The problem isn’t Moyes’ starting XI, it is the depth when there are injuries and suspensions. A quick look at Newcastle and Nottingham Forest this season highlights exactly what can happen if a squad isn’t robust enough.
Moyes has built the core of a good squad with a mix of emerging youngsters and experienced professionals. What he needs this summer are options that will allow the manager to put players in their strongest positions and rotate on a more regular basis. A more consistent goalscorer wouldn’t go a miss and Cottee’s prediction might not be as fanciful as it first seems.
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