Tottenham have qualified for the Champions League two years running, now it’s Everton’s turn to upset the odds.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Tottenham Hotspur have done something truly impressive over the past seasons – they have proven that the seemingly impenetrable circle of the Premier League’s big spenders can indeed be broken.
After two second placed finishes in which Spurs were the only side that offered any serious challenge to the eventual title winners, they have shown consistently that they can mix it (and often come out on top) against the best.
The historical giants of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United and the mega rich newcomers in Chelsea and Manchester City may not like it, but Tottenham have shown that when a club is run well they can mess with the established order.
That is something that Everton should take inspiration from, because ahead of the 2017/18 campaign things are starting to fall into place at Goodison Park at just the right time and there is no reason to think they cannot achieve Champions League qualification in 12 months time.
While often seen as a selling club, the injection of finances from majority shareholder and billionaire businessman, Farhad Moshiri, means they no longer have to be.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri in the stands
Romelu Lukaku does admittedly look set to leave Goodison Park, but the Toffees don’t have to sell and if they do receive the £100m being quoted by several sources, including the Telegraph, then that can be reinvested straight back into Ronald Koeman’s squad.
Koeman himself is another key reason why Everton can upset the odds next term. Like Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs, the Dutchman made his name in England with Southampton and has quickly proven himself to be one of the most exciting managers in the country.
Koeman is quietly building a team capable of taking on not only their city rivals, but the rest of the division – just as Pochettino has done before him.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
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