Can Everton challenge for the top four next season?

by Gary McCarty | 20/05/2021

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After a much-improved season under Carlo Ancelotti, Everton are now looking at making the next step. Can they carry on improving throughout next season andÂ challenge for a top-four placeÂ and qualify for the Champions League?

The need to make Goodison Park a fortress again

Unsurprisingly, Everton are seen as outsiders to win the title next season in theÂ odds on the Premier LeagueÂ and if they are to seriously challenge for the top four, never mind the title, they need to improve at Goodison. The one negative aspect of Everton's recent campaign has been their disappointing form at home. In a recent match, theyÂ were huge favourites to beat the already relegated Sheffield United. However, aÂ poor performance saw them lose 1-0.

This wasn't the first time that they had struggledÂ against one of the relegation candidates. Back in February, they lost 2-0 to Fulham. The English Premier League relegation odds from BetfairÂ had placed Fulham and Sheffield United as two of the favourites to go down from early in the season.Â

A sign of where Everton are at next season mightÂ come when they play the likes of Norwich City and Watford.Â Having more comfortable matches against those newly promoted sides will provide evidence for Everton fans they have learned from some of this season's mistakes.

Gaining confidence from that win at Anfield

One of the highlights of thisÂ season has been that famous win over Liverpool at Anfield. The club's first win at the stadium since 1999.Â The 3-3 draw away at Old Trafford was another memorable moment. Having been 3-2 down going into stoppage time, a dramatic late equaliser from Dominic Calvert-Lewin was perhaps evidence that Everton are made of sterner stuff these days. Everton will have gained a huge amount of confidence from these results.

A bright future ahead

With a new stadium on the horizon, Everton fansÂ can look forward to a bright future. Qualification for the Champions League soon will be a further sign that they are going in the right direction. There are also some exciting prospects in their academy that are likely to feature as Ancelotti gradually brings them into the first team picture.

A look at the transfer market

The signing of James Rodriguez last summer might prove to be a pivotal moment for the club. A player moving from one of the world's biggest clubs to Goodison Park might be evidence that under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, they have become a more attractive destination for players. His influence will be key in building on the strong core at the club and more business such as the three midfielders brought inÂ last summer will be welcomed with open arms. Whether more players of RodriguezÂ ilk find themselves on their way to the club this summer remains to be seen.

Past European success

Older Evertonians will no doubt be reminiscing about their 1985 European Cup Winners Cup triumph if they do qualify for Europe. This was their sole success in continental competition and the players involved are seen asÂ legends at Goodison Park. Should they lead Everton to more glory, the same labels could be placed on the likes of Rodriguez and Calvert-Lewin.

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