#PLStories- #AbdoulayeDoucoure explains how Everton can close CL gap next season #EvertonFC
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Abdoulaye Doucoure believes potential qualification for the Europa Conference League would be a good step for Everton as they enter the final match of the campaign. The Blues travel to face champions Man City in their last game of the 2020/21 season with the hope of potential European qualification still on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad could confirm their place in Europe next term with a win over Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium if Spurs fail to beat Leicester City in their last match. That would mean a place in UEFA’s new third competition in 2021/22 for Everton, and Doucoure believes that would represent solid progression for the club.
Abdoulaye Docoure said: “The seventh position will qualify us for the Europa League Conference – and I think that’s a good step for us. We have waited so long for Europe. The first target was the Europa League, but I don’t think that will happen now. But I think if we finish seventh it will be a good step for the club to become more serious and eventually qualify for the Europa League or Champions League. If we finished eighth or 10th people would say we didn’t make progress this year. If we finish seventh then you see an improvement. A club like Everton needs to play in Europe every year but it’s been a difficult year, with new players coming into the team and next year will be better. But for us, to finish seventh would be a good season.”
After a good start to the campaign and a good run of form a few months ago, some wondered whether Everton might be in contention for the Champions League. The Blues have missed out on that opportunity this term, but that’s certainly a target for Ancelotti in the future. And Doucoure believes that two important aspects will be the difference if his side are to bridge the gap into Europe’s elite competition.
Abdulaye Doucoure said: “The biggest thing is to improve in the home games of course, because we lost too many games at home especially to teams who finished behind us.” the midfielder added. So to be fair for us the big improvement must be to improve at home and have better form and keep the away form like it has been this season. Also we need to improve the squad to make more competition in every department so yes, next year learn from this season and be more consistent.”
Everton face a tough task to get into Europe with a result needed against Man City on Sunday. A draw could be enough for the Blues if each of Spurs and Arsenal lose their final matches of the campaign, but beating the champions would of course give the visitors a much better chance. And Doucoure has made clear that he and his teammates will give everything to try and achieve European football on the last day of the 2020/21 season.
Abdoulaye Doucoure said: “At the beginning of the season our big target was to make the Champions League. But we can see that it is very hard to stay in the top four in the Premier League,” he remarked. We are still in the hunt for Europe, we’ve got one more game away to the champions, so it’s going to be hard. But the season was OK, it was a good season but of course we want to reach Europe. They are a top team, the best team in the world right now, so it is going to be tough. But we know we are going to have chances against them as we saw them lose at Brighton, so it can be possible. I would like the chance to play in a European competition, so of course we are going to give everything and hopefully we can win there.”
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