Ancelotti provides transfer update, and thoughts on the title race

After what seems like an eternity with no Everton football, the Blues are back in action this weekend in an FA Cup Fourth Round clash at home against Sheffield Wednesday. With just a few days left in the January transfer window, Carlo Ancelotti was asked whether Everton will continue to be quiet in the transfer market.

“No changes, we really are not focusing on this. We are convinced we have a good squad and if a player doesn’t ask to leave because they are happy to be here, then we have a good squad for the rest of the season.

“I don’t think so [expect any players to leave].”

When pressed if he wanted to beef up the midfield with the injuries to Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Fabian Delph and Allan, Ancelotti insisted his side were doing fine.

“Tom Davies has played really well, Abdoulaye Doucoure is always there - he is suspeneded against Leicester. Andre Gomes didn’t play a lot but he is back but his is condition is really good

We are not short, unfortunately we are not going to play in Europe, I think we can manage well for the rest of the season with this squad, knowing that Delph & Allan will be back soon.”

Cenk Tosun is one player who has been rumoured to leave the Toffees this month.

“I didn’t talk to him about this. He is part of the squad, he scored a goal against Rotherham. He did his job when he was involved, so no news for this.”

The Blues last game was on the 12th, has the rest done his squad good?

“I don’t know if the rest was good or not, I will tell you after the game on Sunday. I spent time watching games, I saw a lot of entertaining games. I think the Premier League has had some fantastic, unpredictable games.

“I am a fan of football, to give credit to the players and managers, the Premier League is really exciting to watch, and I am really excited to participate in it.”

Sunday’s opponents are not far off from previous opponents Rotherham United in the lower half of the Championship table, how will Ancelotti’s approach change?

“Honestly I want to put out the best lineup possible for the game against Sheffield because we don’t want to think about Leicester City, that game comes after.

“We want to move on in this competition. Dominic Calvert-Lewin can start, he trained well, he is in good physical condition, I think he can play.

“The FA Cup is an important competition. To go to the final or the semi-final, we have to get there step by step. We had difficulties in the first game, we hope to have less difficulties in this game, but we have to know it will be difficult.

“In the FA Cup there will always be surprises, and we do not want to be the negative surprise. We have to approach the game well, we did not do that against Rotherham.”

With the logjam at the top of the Premier League table, does Ancelotti consider Everton as Premier League title contenders?

“We do not have in our minds the title race. We have in our minds since the start of the season to fight for the Europe positions. Now we are in a good position and we want to stay in a good position, it depends on us to stay in a good position.

“I think for us in this moment to talk about the title race is too much for us, honestly.”