Europe would require a stronger squad

, 6 March, 0comments  |  Jump to most recent
Roberto Martinez admits that should Everton achieve their goal of European qualification this season, the club would need to strengthen the squad in terms of numbers and experience to cope with the demands of playing in Continental competition.

The Spaniard's comments come in the wake of his insistence yesterday that he and his players have no intention of settling for sixth place and will be aiming to finish higher in the table if possible.

With a sixth-place finish providing entry into the qualifying rounds of the Europa League, that would guarantee European football at Goodison for the first time in five seasons and bring with it the need to bolster numbers.

“Europe is obviously an aim we need to fight for," Martinez says. "To be able to compete in Europe would stretch us massively in terms of the squad. 100% we'd need to increase the size of our squad.

“Europe has different demands and that has to be reflected in the numbers you have in the squad and the type of player you bring in too. Sometimes you need to bring in experienced players at an international level. That's what we would do in the summer.

“It would be completely different planning but something internally we're prepared for. We've always had that scenario at the back of our minds because we want to get into Europe. It's a step we have to take as a club in the coming seasons.

“You want to be as strong as you can in the domestic competitions but it's quite a unique experience in Europe. We'll fight as hard as we can to try and achieve it. If we don't do it this season then we'll fight just as hard next season to get there.”

Quotes sourced from Liverpool Daily Post





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