Mason Holgate has hailed Everton’s “strength in every position” as he revealed his confidence the Blues will continue to make positive strides this season.
The 22-year-old defender returned to USM Finch Farm on Monday to begin pre-season preparations, having spent the second half of the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Championship team West Bromwich Albion.
Everton's squad will travel to Kenya later this week, with the Toffees kicking off their programme of friendly matches against Kariobangi Sharks in Nairobi on Sunday.
The Blues’ pre-season schedule also includes games against FC Sion, Monaco, Wigan Athletic, FSV Mainz and Sevilla.
Everton’s Premier League campaign then gets under way on 10 August, with the Blues taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Holgate admitted his excitement over the Toffees’ prospects this season, pointing to the strong leadership of boss Marco Silva and the depth of quality in the squad.
“If you look at the players we have got, we have got strength in every position,” he told evertontv.
“In every position there is a lot of competition, so everybody has got to be on it. It’s a good squad and hopefully we can do well this year.
“The manager came in last summer and he knows how he wants things to be.
“He makes it very clear and there are no grey areas. That benefitted the team last season and I’m sure this year it will be the same.”
Holgate impressed in his loan stint at West Brom, playing 21 of the Baggies’ 23 Championship matches after moving to The Hawthorns in January.
He helped the Midlands outfit secure a third-place finish in the division before they were edged out on penalties by Aston Villa in the play-off semi-finals.
Holgate, who signed for Everton from Barnsley in 2015, believes the experience of playing regularly in a fiercely competitive environment has served to significantly develop his game.
“It’s a very difficult league,” he explained. “It’s very physical and the games come thick and fast.
“I learned a lot, playing week in and week out. It was massive for me, getting my body used to it.
“I played right-back. I prefer to play centre-back, but it’s still learning the game.
“Now, I just want to be playing as much as I can. During pre-season I am going to be pushing to get fit and be ready to play games.”
