Everton can sit happily for now in the knowledge they have finished above Liverpool in seventh place, but their toughest task is yet to come.
After Merseyside neighbours Liverpool knocked off Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park in October, few would have envisaged the blues ending the season above the reds.
The win came against the backdrop of another poor start to the season for David Moyes side’ and a painful transfer window where pretty much nothing happened save for two deadline day loan acquisitions and the loss of Mikel Arteta.
In contrast Liverpool had spent more money than any period in their recent history, money which supporters would now agree has largely been wasted on over-valued, mediocre talent.
Everton loosened the purse strings and raided the piggy bank to sign Nikica Jelavic in January, a player Liverpool are reported to have passed up, who along with Steven Pienaar’s loan, helped revitalise the side.
After finishing the season with a victory over a strong Newcastle side, Everton will rightly feel good; but now- What’s next?
For a start, the club need to hang onto their star players.
Marouane Fellaini has been linked with a move to both Chelsea and Manchester United, and for the club to lose him would be a big blow.
Leighton Baines has also been mentioned as a possible outgoing, again Manchester United being linked, and German runners-up Bayern Munich also.
It will not be easy, Everton’s finances dictate any big money offer will have to be scrutinised, and Mikel Arteta’s success and adaptation to life at Arsenal will be in the back of his former teammates minds.
Secondly, Everton need to buy well. How much money they have available is difficult to estimate. It could be in the region of £10 million, perhaps more, perhaps less, but it is unlikely to top £15 million.
This means that if Moyes was planning a big overhaul, he won’t be able to do it without making a big sale, but selling off squad players like Victor Anichebe could help boost the coffers.
A priority for the club will be securing the services of Steven Pienaar on a permanent deal, but Tottenham are likely to drive a hard bargain.
The transfer could take a significant portion out of the club’s transfer budget, even if he signed for as little as £4 million.
David Moyes was scouting at the Blackpool v Birmingham play-off semi final last week, and it is likely he may dip into the Championship to pick up players ‘on the cheap’.
The next big challenge for Everton will be maintaining this momentum they currently have through the off-season.
Not for the first time they have finished terrifically strongly, yet they are notoriously poor starters.
Players can turn up to pre-season out of shape, lacking intensity, and injuries will play a part too, so Moyes has to cajole his squad into keeping the fire burning with which they finished this season.
Then there is the final matter of breaking the glass ceiling. Finishing seventh was a laudable achievement this season, but can they go higher?
Liverpool will fight back stronger, and Newcastle will also improve. Despite this, Everton must use Newcastle’s template this season as inspiration that the ‘top clubs’ can be effectively challenged.
The Geordies had the strong start Everton lacked, making it to November unbeaten, which gave them the platform to go on. They will have European football to contend with next season, a sure distraction, so Everton should target finishing above them.
Liverpool may spend big again, but there is no guarantee, as this year showed.
If Everton get the first three things right, keep their stars, buy well, and start strongly, then there is no reason why they cannot target improving on seventh place, but it won’t be easy.
image: © nicksarebi
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