Carlo Ancelotti is confident it “will not take a long time” for Everton to compete at the business end of the Premier League table.
Manager Ancelotti takes Everton to former club Chelsea on Sunday aiming to “change the situation” regarding the Blues’ record away from home against the division’s pre-eminent teams.
Everton have claimed 18 points from Ancelotti’s opening 10 matches in charge and tackle Chelsea following a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last Sunday. The Blues have scored at least once in each of Ancelotti's 10 league games, winning five and drawing three.
Ancelotti’s only league defeats as Everton boss have come at the homes of Arsenal and champions Manchester City.
Victory at Stamford Bridge – where Ancelotti won the Double as manager in 2009/10 – would be significant for Everton, then.
And Ancelotti is keen to swiftly usher in a period of Everton consistently slugging it out with the Premier League’s big guns.
“We are not a top team yet, the spine of the team is good and we have a mix of young and experienced players,” said Ancelotti.
“We can improve.
“We want to be at the top, it is our aim to be at the top as soon as possible.
“I am sure it is not going to take a long time.
“[The Chelsea match] is very important for us, we came out of the United game with confidence.
“We played well and will try to repeat that performance against a strong team.
“Our results against the top teams away have not been good.
“But the condition of our team is good and I hope we can change this situation.”
Ancelotti was officially appointed Everton boss two weeks to the day after caretaker Duncan Ferguson inspired a 3-1 Goodison Park victory in the reverse meeting with Chelsea.
The former AC Milan and Real Madrid manager swooped on the momentum gained during Ferguson’s unbeaten three-match tenure and has guided Everton to within five points of Manchester United in fifth.
A win over Chelsea would see Everton move five points behind the fourth-placed Londoners.
Defender Mason Holgate has been an instrumental figure in Everton’s upturn and the 23-year-old this week agreed terms on a new five-year deal at the Club.
At the other end of the field, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, one year Holgate’s junior, has scored eight times in 10 games and Ancelotti revealed on Friday the striker was “close” to signing a fresh Everton contract.
“It is important to have young players with quality, you can build a good future with them,” said Ancelotti.
“The fact they are English is important for the Club.
“They know the atmosphere here.
“But they are players with a lot of qualities and with them we can have a good future with this club.”
Ancelotti added: “I like the Club, the facility [USM Finch Farm] and the city.
“I feel good here. I want to live the city.
“I didn’t want to change a lot [immediately after taking charge], the motivation of the team was good, they are focused, there is a good sense of belonging.
“They were the reasons for making us better.
“But I am sure we can improve.”
