Tuesday, 8th April, 2014
Everton left-back Leighton Baines believes that qualification for the Champions League next year would be enough to attract more world-class players to the club.
The Toffees are currently placed fifth in the league with 63 points, trailing fourth-placed Arsenal by just one point, but have played one match fewer.
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Roberto Martinez's men thumped the Gunners with a comfortable 3-0 scoreline at Goodison Park on Sunday, thus closing down the gap between the two.
And now Champions League qualification seems to be a distant dream no more.
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"We all know what it means to any club, particularly one who hasn't been competing in those circles for a long time", Baines told FIFA's official site.
"It raises the bar a little bit and makes the club more appealing to potential signings and gives the manager, the chairman and the board a little more scope financially to push themselves in the market more.
"There are a lot of things that qualifying for a competition like that can do but there is still a lot of work to be done for us to get there."
Everton have six matches left to make it to the Champions League. They are next in action against Premier League strugglers Sunderland on Saturday, with a win being enough to take them above Arsenal, who are on FA Cup duty.
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