Today’s national newspaper round-up now and, starting with the tabloids, the Daily Mail goes with the headline “Live the Dream” as Roberto Martinez looks to rally his troops in order to clinch fourth place.
The Blues boss says: “It has always been my vision that Everton would fight for Champions League football – because a club with our history, heritage and everything we have should be challenging for the Champions League.
“There is no pressure on us. We have nothing to lose. We are in a position where we have everything to gain.”
The Daily Mirror takes up the story of how Bill Kenwright jumped the gun – and excitedly told the world that Martinez was targeting the Champions League before the boss had even had chance to tell the players!
Martinez said: “I hadn’t even explained the vision, so I was concerned how the players were going to react to this. I expected to be the one to slowly unfold the plans, not just give it on the first day.
“He said it a little bit too early – it would have helped if he’d allowed me to tell the players first!”
Also in the Mirror, it is reported that Joel Robles is a target for Sevilla. They are prepared to pay the £3m asking price for the Spanish goalkeeper.
In the Daily Star Martinez says that even his chairman didn’t believe that the Blues would be in a fight for fourth place. He said: “The chairman has reminded me about it as the season has gone on because at the beginning he didn’t believe it was possible.”
Martinez says the Blues have nothing to lose in the Daily Express – they also repeat his quotes about promising a fourth place challenge.