Ronald Koeman has said it would be “crazy” to consider Everton contenders for the Premier League title, despite their impressive start to the season.
Everton are second in the table, having taken 13 points from a possible 15, and maintained their unbeaten run under the Dutch coach with Saturday’s 3-1 win against Middlesbrough.
Koeman, who will be without his top-scorer Romelu Lukaku for Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie against Norwich City, has set European qualification as the target for his first season in charge at Goodison Park, and he insists it is unrealistic to expect Everton to follow the example of Leicester City and deliver a surprising title challenge.
“I don’t think we can do a Leicester,” said Koeman. “Normally not, but you don’t know what is normal in life and normal in football. I am realistic. If I tell you we will fight for the title I think most people will tell you that man is crazy. Even when I mention that it sounds crazy.
“Why would we change our ambition and aspiration after 13 points from five games? The big teams have much more qualities and unless it is like it was last season it will be impossible.”
The Everton manager is adamant his team needs to improve to achieve his stated ambition of qualifying for next season’s Europa League. He added: “It’s a good start but we know it is very early and there is a long way to go. We need to improve and we can improve if we want to fight for Europe.
“We need time but you don’t have time in football. You need to perform and that counts for me at Everton and for everybody. No excuses. With the signings it is easy to say we need more time but you don’t get that. I know that is my responsibility.”
Enner Valencia will start in place of Lukaku in the third-round tie at Goodison, with the Belgium striker given time to recover from a toe injury suffered on Saturday. He is expected to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth but the midfielder Darron Gibson will be sidelined for a further three weeks after a groin operation. Koeman confirmed Everton are looking to extend Lukaku’s contract having held on to their leading forward this summer. “The club is always trying to keep its best players,” said the manager. “It’s difficult but Everton is trying to keep him in the football club.”
