Despite spending a huge amount of money in the last three transfer windows, Everton are under little pressure due to the strength of the top six.
In the last year, Everton have quietly become one of the Premier League’s big spenders.
While Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are judged on the returns of their immense financial might, Ronald Koeman’s side have sneaked under the radar.
Since the manager’s arrival last summer, months after billionnaire Farhad Moshiri bought a sizeable stake in the club, Everton have spent comfortably over £100million.
Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen arrived this week, joining fellow big-money acquisitions Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Williams, Yannick Bolasie, Ademola Lookman and Morgan Schneiderlin. More are expected to follow.
But the pressure on Chelsea, City and United – established as the division’s elite – appears to be far greater than that for Koeman’s men.
And, last season, Everton thrived. They finished on 61 points – the same tally that took them into a Champions League qualifier 12 years ago – and ended up seventh.
Despite more expenditure and fresh memories of that solid season, there is still no pressure ahead of the coming campaign – the task of breaking into the top six is widely seen as an impossible one and with good reason.
United lost just five games last season, including a period where their focus was taken by the Europa League, and they could only finish sixth.
Incredibly, Everton now boast one of the strongest squads ever to compete outside of the top six in the Premier League era and yet can attack the season without worrying about lofty expectations.
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