Gylfi Sigurdsson wants Everton to aim for Europe... after showing they belong among the game’s elite.
The Blues have produced a stunning run of home form, keeping consecutive clean sheets against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. They beat the latter three, including Sunday's 4-0 thumping of the men from Old Trafford, to end a 26-game winless run against sides in the top six.
Midfield playmaker Sigurdsson believes it’s the best the team has played since he arrived at Goodison from Swansea in summer 2017, and he thinks Europa League qualification is in their grasp over the final four games.
“The target now is to keep going and try to finish off the season strongly,” he said. “If we perform like we did against United, we can definitely finish seventh. We’ve got a few tough games left, but there is a real confidence about the team after playing some really good football.
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“We have been really positive going forward, and importantly we are defending really well as a team. Winning those three home games in a row like that, it gives everyone a lift.”
Seventh place should be enough to ensure Everton of a Europa League place next season — and given the form they are in, the Iceland star believes Europe is where they belong.
“I think it’s the best we’ve played since I’ve been here," said Sigurdsson, as a four-way battle with Watford, Leicester and Wolves to be 'Best of the Rest' after the Big Six looms. "It gives us confidence, and that gives us the platform to show what we are capable of.”
Marco Silva's men must make two trips to London to face Crystal Palace and, on the final day of the top-flight season, Tottenham either side of their last home match against Burnley.
