Carlo Ancelotti says what all fans want to hear about Everton role and Champions League

Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated his delight to be in charge of Everton and believes he cannot improve the spirit currently in the squad.

The Blues have won each of their last three Premier League games to briefly rise into the top four immediately following their most recent victory over West Brom.

Chelsea's victory over Liverpool pushed the Blues back down into fifth, although they have a game-in-hand on a number of sides currently above them in the table.

And Ancelotti believes that, while the quality of his squad's football can improve, he believes the spirit of the players is at the top level.

When asked how far the Blues are from being an 'Ancelotti team', the boss remarked: "The team is my team, Everton is my team.

"First of all, I am really happy to be the manager of this team, of these players. I feel the players follow me, they have a lot of respect for my ideas.

"Of course we would like to play better, but I'm not the only one who'd like to play better, also the players want to play better.

"In this sense I think we have to improve the technical quality of the squad, but what we can't improve is the spirit of this team, which is really high.

"I am pleased to have this kind of quality in my team."

Everton's lofty position in the table after 26 matches has got many talking about potential Champions League qualification at the end of the season.

Those credentials will be tested with Monday's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, but Ancelotti is also focusing on the rest of his side's games in the Premier League this term too.

"Yes, of course, playing against Chelsea you have to be strong," the boss added.

"I think we have three opportunities - we can win, draw or lose the game. Nothing worse!

"But I think that our 12 games until the end, we have to be focused of course in the next game against Chelsea, but we must also focus on the other 11.

"We are not at the top in this moment, so we have difficulty to fight for the first four positions and the Champions League.

"We want to fight, but of course to be competitive in the Champions League we have to improve."