‘Very special’: Roberto Martinez makes Everton claim fans will love, delivers Ancelotti verdict

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Roberto Martinez has hailed Everton as a ‘very, very special club’, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

The Belgium coach also waxed-lyrical about Carlo Ancelotti and how he has brought ‘real common sense’ and calmness to Everton.

Everton are on the cusp of finishing in those Champions League places, and their clash against Chelsea tonight and these final few months of the season will determine what this team is made of.

Martinez knows exactly what it’s like to deliver European football for the Toffees, as he thinks they are ‘one step away’ from winning a trophy or finishing in the top-four.

“Everton is a very, very special club,” said Martinez. “Once you get touched by Everton, that always stays with you and you follow the club.

“I think what Carlo Ancelotti has brought is a real common sense. He gets that emotional feel after a win or after a defeat, he is always calm and is always improving the squad.

“I think his recruitment this season was very, very clever. Specific players coming in to make the others stronger has been really good to see and how this team showed an incredible mentality.

“I think that showed when they went to Anfield and to be able to win after the number of years that wasn’t possible – the fans deserve to see silverware. They deserve to see Everton competing for the Champions League and I do think this team has grown immensely.

“I think now Everton under Carlo Ancelotti having the stability, they are just one step away from winning silverware or getting into the top-four. I do think Everton, with the news of the new stadium, that they are just very close to starting fulfilling the big success they had in the 80s’.”

If Everton can secure all three points against Chelsea today then they will move into the top-four.

The task is simple yet very difficult for the Merseyside giants, who on top of potentially playing Champions League football next term, may also finish above their struggling neighbours.

Whatever happens, European football of some kind is beckoning for the Toffees and they are heading towards becoming a pretty dangerous outfit under their trophy-laden and much-admired coach.