Ancelotti insists Everton have a clear transfer plan to improve the squad

Carlo Ancelotti has already said it a few times and reiterated again today that he is still satisfied with the improvement Everton made over last season and that more changes will be needed in the squad for the Toffees to be competitive.

That message could not have been driven home with more urgency or emphasis after he watched his side get dismantled 5-0 at the league champions Manchester City. The Blues had gone into the game needing to better the results of Tottenham Hotspur to qualify for seventh and a berth in next season’s inaugural Europa Conference League, but two quick goals after just a dozen minutes for the hosts vaporised any such thoughts.

In the end it didn’t matter because not only did Spurs win, but Arsenal and Leeds United also won their respective matches to edge ahead of the Blues on goal difference to vault Everton who finish the season in tenth place now.

Speaking after the game, Ancelotti tried to stay positive in his first comments -

“It was a difficult afternoon, we played against the best team in the Premier League. We tried to push a little bit higher the pressure because we wanted to try to win, but we were punished on the counter attack. We lost some easy balls when we started to build up.

“We had the possibility to come back into the game with the penalty, but were not able to score. In the second half there was no chance to come back.”

The Blues did have their chances to score against a stingy City defence but failed to snatch their opportunities when they presented themselves.

“It’s almost impossible to compete with them, they are the best team in the Premier League. We tried to compete but today was not the day. We needed to play a good game but we were sloppy at the beginning.

“When we defend with a low block we are very strong. When we try to go higher up with the line we have more difficulties. There we have to improve for next season.”

Overall, what were his thoughts on the season?

“I think the season was positive. We had some fantastic results. We didn’t have a good home run. We talked about this, but we have improved compared to last season. Now we have to look forward and be more competitive and get more points next season.

“We have 10 more points on the table, we had some fantastic results - we won the derby, we won against some top teams but we were not good at home and this is where we have to improve and work in the summer to find the right players to improve the squad.”

On how he was going to improve the quality of the side during the summer transfer window, Ancelotti repeated what he had already said about having an aligned vision for his squad.

“We have a clear idea, a clear plan on how we can improve the squad. In the summer we will follow this plan. We have to put, in general, more quality in the squad to try to play more attractive football, to defend better at the back. This is where we are working.”