Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin focused on future glory
Wednesday 8 March 2017 18:06, UK
Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin says they must not carried away by their good form this season as they attempt to break into the top five of the Premier League.
A nine-match unbeaten league run, which included a 4-0 win over Manchester City, was ended by a 3-2 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.
That is likely to have put paid to their slim chances of securing Champions League football next season, with Ronald Koeman's side now eight points adrift of Merseyside rivals Liverpool, who are fourth.
But Schneiderlin insists they have a long-term plan they are working to and is convinced they are making progress.
"I signed here because I believe in the project. I have the belief this club will push forward," he said in a question and answer session on Everton's Facebook page.
"Top five this season is going to be hard. This club needs to take time and not get carried away too much because we have had some good results, but keep improving every day and then in the near future we can challenge for the top five.
"Next year the manager will bring in some more players to improve the team and hopefully we can push to that top five in the Premier League.
"I am sure the club dreams of a Champions League place and maybe in a few years' time we can [give] that to them."
Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Muhamed Besic has not ruled out playing in the Premier League this season, having been sidelined by a cruciate knee ligament injury on the eve of the campaign.
"I would play a game now for Everton's first team, but there are people who know better and they will take care of me," he told Everton's official website after he rejoined his team-mates for training.
"Probably I will play one, two or three games for the U23s.
"If I get some [Premier League] games that would be great, but I'm not looking too far. I just look from day to day and train until the medical staff say I am ready."
Another long-term injury absentee is also making good progress, with winger Yannick Bolasie recovering well after undergoing a second knee operation.
The DR Congo international underwent planned surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament, having previously had a torn meniscus fixed.
"Just come out my second operation. All the healing from the first operation has been great according to my surgeon and I am just in a little bit of pain," Bolasie said in a video posted on his Instagram account.
"Thanks for the support. By the time you know it, the kid's going to be back."
