Friday, 14th March, 2014
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that playing in the Europa League next season will not be a hindrance for his side as he explained that qualifying for the tournament would be a huge step up for the club.
The Toffees, who have two matches in hand and have fixtures left against the clubs above them, are currently seventh in the Premier League with 48 points from 27 games.
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Although Martinez has still not given up hopes for a top four finish, the manager explained that Everton would embrace the Europa League, a competition which some other English clubs have treated with disdain in recent years.
"It wouldn't be a hindrance, not at all”, the Spaniard told his club’s official site.
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“Qualifying for Europe for us would be a massive step forward because it would bring massive football occasions that I do feel we need to be able to develop into the type of team we want to be.
"Getting into Europe is a big objective and something that would allow us to grow as a football club.
“All you need to do is at the beginning of the season plan the campaign, bearing in mind you are going to be in Europe and that brings extra demands.
"We have 48 points and that is a good return. Can we get top four? Mathematically we can. You look at the points tally you might need to get in those positions and that is still achievable.
"It would depend as well on how the other clubs react to being – or not being – in Europe. Many aspects are going to affect the points tally needed to be in the top four. After that you have the Europa Leaugue to fight for."
Everton will next face Cardiff City at Goodison Park on Saturday, before welcoming Swansea City to the ground a week later.
Martinez’s side managed to pick up just a solitary point against the Welsh clubs in the corresponding fixtures.
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