Extraordinarily, David Moyes’ return at Everton could provide European football at Bramley Moore-Dock next season.
It’s a statement no one expected to be uttered after Sean Dyche’s dismal spell, but the Toffees could still have a chance of playing in Europe.
His work has been awarded as Moyes won Manager of the Month, which comes as no surprise after he revitalised the squad.
It’s becoming apparent that the Scotsman isn’t here to mess about and should certainly secure safety with a win over West Ham.
Well, the Everton boss can go one better and somehow achieve European football, and here’s how.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
How Everton can gain Europe in the Premier League this season
Evertonians will be happy enough with Moyes’ work helping them retain their Premier League status and remaining the only side never to be relegated in the league.
But now there is a chance, albeit a very slim one, that Everton could be competing in most likely the Europa Conference League next season.
Moyes is developing Everton’s style of play to potentially give them this chance, as whatever he’s been doing so far has proven to be a success after eight games unbeaten in the Premier League.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
If the Scotsman can extend this unbeaten run, Everton have a chance to play Europe.
Starting with what is now a top-five process, England look to land the extra place after European performances which could see five English teams now compete in the Champions League for the first time.
This can reach new heights however, starting from Aston Villa, who can make it six with a Champions League triumph but must finish outside the top five.
Manchester United or Tottenham can make it seven teams in the Champions League next season if one wins the Europa League, and the worry of finishing in the top five for these sides doesn’t appear to be there for Everton.
It’s a lot to take in, but this means seven teams will play in the Champions League next season, extending two Europa League places to 8th and 9th, and the conference league place to 10th.
Now Everton’s goal would most likely be reaching 11th, which makes this even crazier as only six points separate Moyes’ side and Crystal Palace.
The most likely outcome of this happening for a team who finish 11th to stand a chance of securing European qualification, would require Chelsea to complete the clean sweep of English teams winning UEFA competitions by claiming the Conference League this season.
Meaning, with all these things considered, if the Toffees reached the respectable finish of 11th, Europe would return to the Blue side of Merseyside.
READ MORE: What Richarlison did before joining Everton shows exactly why he would make a brilliant return
Everton’s fixture list may turn out to be Moyes’ denial of Europe
Now, if this did happen, and it’s extremely unlikely that all these factors come to fruition, then the Toffees will still have had another obstacle in their way.
It seems like Moyes wants relegation secured at Everton before anything else is talked about, but with Europe being a possibility, the Toffees must consider their fixture list.
On paper this run-in certainly doesn’t favour Everton and even despite their form this might be too much of a big ask.
However, the one thing you can’t do at the moment is count out Moyes’ Everton, as maybe, just maybe, the Toffees will be back on the European stage next season.