Following the sacking of Marco Silva, Everton wanted to make a statement for their new manager, and make a statement they did.
The Toffees board, determined to get the club back to where it belong and maybe even beyond that, hired Carlo Ancelotti on a hefty deal, hoping his credentials would attract a good level of players with the help of Marcel Brands.
That’s exactly what happened, with the likes of Allan and James Rodríguez arriving in the last transfer window, and the impact has been instant.
Four wins in their first four Premier League games sees them top of the table, going into a derby with arch-rivals Liverpool with confidence for the first time in ages.
That’s what Gazzetta dello Sport, in an interview with Ancelotti, put to the Everton manager, to which he replied: “We’re going there in good form, and it will be an important test against one of the strongest teams in the world. The 7-2 against Aston Villa doesn’t matter: days like that can happen in the Premier League.
“Everything is fine now, but we know the road is long and sooner or later the difficult moments will come: that will be our real test”.
Mixing experience with youth, the Italian manager has found a good balance at Everton, getting the best out of the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, for example.
One of the bigger surprises, however, has been how quickly James Rodríguez has taken to English football, scoring three goals and assisting another two in four league games.
Even Ancelotti can’t quite believe it.
He said: “Even I’m surprised. He hasn’t played since February and it was only fair to expect a few difficulties in a switch to a different type of football, but the enthusiasm and his talent have been a formidable boost”.
