Everton will improve the squad with or without Europe, says Ancelotti

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has vowed to improve the squad further this summer as the club aims for European football for next season.

The Toffees are currently eighth on the Premier League table, but if they win their two games in hand, they would jump Chelsea into fourth place.

Goodison Park has not seen continental football since 2017 – a dismal Europa League campaign that saw them bow out in the group stages with just four points and a group-high 15 goals conceded in the six games.

But Ancelotti promised to “sacrifice” to see Everton return to European competition, and part of that will come in the transfer window in the coming years.

“We are going to work to improve the squad in the transfer market, this is for sure,” he told reporters ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace on Monday night.

The Italian stressed, however, that transfer plans won’t be affected by the team’s ability to qualify for Europe next season and there will be money spent regardless.

“If we are to play in Europe we are going to improve the squad, if we are not in Europe then we are going to improve the squad the same,” he said.

Everton have been prone to error in the transfer market in recent seasons with the likes of Moise Kean not fitting the bill, but Ancelotti has already shown his strength in negotiations.

Everton signings in 2020/21

James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan have all shown early signs of promise for the Toffees, as well as young centre-back Ben Godfrey in a productive summer haul for Ancelotti.

The former Chelsea, Milan and Real Madrid boss is not resting on his laurels, though, and highlighted the importance of the next few seasons to continue to develop the team.

“We improved the squad in the last transfer window, we want to improve the squad in the next transfer window and in the year after,” he said.

“I think the last transfer window, we didn’t spend a lot of money and with three or four signings, the squad improved a lot.”

Everton have in the past been linked with Real Madrid duo Lucas Vazquez and Isco as well as Adrien Rabiot, all players Ancelotti has worked with in the past.