As a new Premier League season approaches, the question is always asked. Who outside the top four can break into the Champions League?
Everton certainly make for an interesting case study. They finished their first season under Roberto Martinez with a record points haul, in fifth position. But can they bridge the gap into the top four, or is it a bridge too far?
Certainly from a financial point of view it is difficult to make a case for Everton. The top four from last year certainly have very good squads and the financial strength to add to their squads significantly in the transfer window.
Manchester City, the richest club in world football, did not take long to make changes, Chelsea and Liverpool have already spent in excess of over £100 million each and even Arsenal and the usually prudent Arsene Wenger have splashed the cash.
Clubs around Everton last season, such as Manchester United, have already made significant purchases in the off-season with the additions of Luke Shaw, and Ander Herrera. It is expected this is just the beginning with further additions planned.
Everton meanwhile have acquired just Gareth Barry on a free transfer and Muhamed Besic for a reported four million.
Everton has traditionally been unable to compete in the transfer market and had to be astute with purchases and loan signings. Certainly any major spending has been underpinned by player sales in recent years such as Wayne Rooney, Andy Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Mikel Arteta, and Jack Rodwell among others.
Certainly, the sale of Maroune Fellaini last season for £27.5M still leaves Everton with significant funds to spend in this transfer window, which is aided by increased television revenue and Europa League qualification.
Most importantly Martinez has been able to hold onto his best talent so far in the off-season while players such as Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman have signed long-term contracts in a great sign of faith in the direction Martinez is taking the club.
Certainly the Everton squad is the best it has potentially been since their glory days in the 1980s. The side is littered with international players and the nucleus of the side is very strong.
Certainly Everton will also be hoping for a boost from injured players last season, with Arouna Kone, Darren Gibson and Bryan Oviedo to increase depth and competition for spots.
Everton also has one of the best youth academy’s in the country and they can be confident with the players they have developing in their ranks as also emphasised with Everton’s Under-18 team winning last year’s league title.
Roberto Martinez certainly had Everton playing some of the most aesthetically pleasing football on the eye last season. It was a game plan based on holding possession and quick movement.
It was certainly a vastly different brand to what Everton had seen at times under former boss David Moyes. For the first time in 20 years, Everton managed to win away at Old Trafford to Manchester United.
Everton also had memorable victories over top-four sides Arsenal, Chelsea and one of the games of the season a 3-3 draw with Liverpool. Everton have always had a real team culture that was developed under Moyes, this has continued to grow under Roberto Martinez.
Everton showed last season they have the capabilities to match it with the top teams, a striker is what needs to be urgently added to the squad with Martinez already strengthening other areas.
Romelu Lukaku is the man who fits the bill perfectly. Everton supporters have been let down many times in recent years with missing out on potential transfer targets, you get the impression Martinez is building something special and Romelu Lukaku wants to be a part of it.
He may just be the man who can fire Everton into the Champions League and in doing so might just give other clubs hope and show money is not everything in football and it is possible to compete with the big boys with smart recruitment, coaching and player development.
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