It’s been a positive season for Everton and it already feels as though they have come on leaps and bounds from the last few years of mediocrity.
Ronald Koeman has come in and under the management of the Everton board coincided with the investment from shareholder Farhad Moshiri, has brought the best out of the options at his disposal.
It was a hugely busy summer at Goodison Park last time around and it was one that brought plenty of positivity and anticipation towards the future to the Toffees fans.
Everton are currently sat pretty in seventh place on the Premier League table and are looking to be on course to secure Europa League football next season through the qualification rounds.
This is a big step, but it is not where they want to be just yet. The Champions League is the ultimate target.
So, just what can Everton do to push on for a top four finish in the 2017/18 campaign? We’ve looked at five things the club must do.
Keep hold of Lukaku
It’s clear that Romelu Lukaku wants to move on to bigger and better things, but he’s by far and away Everton’s best player. He’s been on fire this season and could seriously spearhead a genuine charge for Champions League football next season.
Give Koeman free rein on the dealings
Koeman is an intelligent man and a shrewd dealer in the transfer market. He’s an attractive manager to potential signings and he should be the man to have the final word on transfers in or out of the club, with decisions made on all the nuances and aspects of them.
Get rid of the deadwood
There is still a lot of deadwood at the club. The likes of Maarten Stekelenburg, Tom Cleverley, Arouna Kone and many more have little use now, and should be moved on at the first opportunity.
Add young, hungry talent
Without a doubt, Everton is an attractive proposition to players across Europe now. There’s a certain ambition and determination about the club to kick on and this can only be helpful when looking to sign players.
They have signed mostly ready-made, Premier League-proven talent in the last couple of windows and should now look to take a different approach, going for the brightest young players that have burst onto the scene in the continent.
Continue to nurture the young players
The likes of Tom Davies, Mason Holgate and Ademola Lookman have been revelations this season. If Koeman can continue to provide them with sufficient game time, integrating them in pre-season and giving them first-team opportunities, Everton will only grow stronger.