Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has credited Carlo Ancelotti for instilling “fighting spirit” in his Everton squad, as reports Football Insider.
Despite Watford taking an early 2-0 lead against Everton last weekend, the Toffees showed fighting spirit to come back into the game and win 3-2.
That result against the Hornets was the first time since December 2017 that the Blues were able to come from behind to win in the Premier League (EFC Statto).
Whelan, who played 243 times in the Premier League during his career, believes that it is Ancelotti’s presence that has instilled belief into the Everton playing squad. Talking to Football Insider, Whelan said:
There is massive belief and character in the changing room at Everton.
It is not easy at any level to play with 10-men or come back from 2-0. It shows the fighting spirit and they are going to need that.
Ancelotti is a strong man with a strong character and he will install that into his team. Usually, your team plays the way the manager is. They have got that fighting spirit and never say die attitude.
You can see the influence the manager is having on the players already. They are fighting for him and for their futures between now and the end of the season. There is a lot riding on it for the players.
Read Everton Verdict
Everton’s win against the Hornets saw the club move into ninth place in the Premier League table, just four points behind Tottenham in fifth, keeping alive any hopes that the club can finish in a Europa League spot this season.
Ancelotti spoke about the club’s European ambition following the game at Vicarage Road, declaring a return to the European stage as a real possibility this season (Mail Online).
With a manager as decorated as Ancelotti, it is easy to get carried away with where the Italian could take this club if given the chance on the continental stage.
The Toffees didn’t do so well the last time, failing to get out of the group stage in the 2017/18 season, but they would likely jump at the chance to try again.
If Whelan is right, and Ancelotti has bled this heightened sense of belief into the playing squad, there is no reason twhy they cannot make a charge during the remaining four months of the season.
It will be a challenge, the squad will need to remain largely injury free and performances levels will need to be upheld by every player if it is to be achievable, but with Ancelotti’s “fighting spirit”, it certainly seems like a possibility.
