Steve Nicol told ESPN that Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is the third-best in the Premier League behind Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.
But the ex-Anfield defender thinks Everton ‘don’t have the greatest of players’ after it was suggested to him that he hasn’t set the world alight at Goodison Park since his arrival.
Given where Everton were last season under Marco Silva, and where they have been in recent seasons, Ancelotti has done a pretty fine job.
Many would argue that six teams – both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and perhaps Leicester have a better squad on paper than the Merseyside club.
Yet, Ancelotti could guide them to, at least, the Europa League this season and maybe even the Champions League, as Nicol shared who’s the next best after Klopp and Guardiola in the Premier League.
“Carlo Ancelotti, he’s had the biggest clubs and clubs that have been trying to get better, like Napoli,” said Nicol.
On Ancelotti not really setting Everton on fire: “Do you think the coaches at Everton have? Coaches can only do so many things.
“At the end of the day, the results come down to the ability you have on the field. And let’s be honest, Everton don’t have the greatest of players, do they? I don’t think so.
“I would have Ancelotti outside of those two (Klopp and Guardiola).”
Compared to others around them in the Premier League, it also needs to be remembered that Everton haven’t exactly splashed the cash in a wild manner.
From Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Mason Holgate, Ancelotti has made a lot of the current crop, who were struggling before he arrived, a lot better and that’s a credit to his qualities.
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