Everton manager Rafa Benitez has discussed his hope to lead the club out at their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.
The Blues had planning permission approved for their state-of-the-art 52,888-capacity waterfront ground earlier this year, and confirmed recently that work on the site would begin at the end of July.
From there it is anticipated that an approximate three-year build would take place, potentially seeing the club move into their new home for the 2024/25 campaign.
And Benitez, who was appointed as Everton's new boss last month, has admitted that he has thought about leading his side out at their new home for the first time.
He remarked: "Yes I’ve thought about leading Everton out at the new stadium - I’d be really pleased because it would mean we are doing well and we have been a success.
"I think for the club and the fans as well it is a massive, massive situation - we will go to the new stadium and it will change everything.
"In terms of the stature of the club and in terms of the perception from outside and in terms of the revenue you can get from that, and it would be great opportunity to have the chance to be there, for the players and myself - and I would be so pleased.
"Hopefully it would be good news for everyone because it would mean we are winning."
Everton kick off their 2021/22 campaign in a month's time when Southampton visit Goodison Park on August 14th.
That comes after pre-season fixtures have taken place in the Florida Cup, against Millonarios and one of either Arsenal or Inter Milan, and a match against Manchester United has been contested a week before the Saints come to Merseyside.
And Benitez is looking forward to taking charge at Goodison for the first time as Blues manager.
"I have already fans asking me for tickets, so they are excited about that and it is good news," he added.
"Last season was a special season with Covid 19, this year with players coming back and Covid-19 around, with the new virus (variant) so we have to be very careful. But these things at the same time can affect our preparation.
"Hopefully it will be fine and we can prepare the team properly, and if we can do that - I am really pleased with the first game and we have the chance to show we are ready hopefully they can see a very ambitious team with the right mentality."
