CARLO: WE’RE THREE STEPS FROM HEAVEN

CARLO ANCELOTTI believes Everton are just three players away from challenging for the Champions League.

And the Blues boss revealed he has been promised the financial muscle to bring in the players he wants to turn his side into genuine top-four contenders next season.

The Italian returns to his former club Chelsea and a meeting with Frank Lampard (right) tomorrow, with fond memories of his time at Stamford Bridge and the title success he enjoyed there.

He returns though, confident he has the foundations at Everton to build a side that can break into the elite of English football.

And he is sure he will get the big budget required to bring in three top-class talents in the summer.

Ancelotti said: “I think the Champions League is a realistic target for Everton next season.

“We have to improve the squad in the summer but with what I am seeing now, the target is realistic.

“Seriously, I am not going to say we have to fight for the Champions League if I don’t feel that we have a possibility to do that

“I think improving the squad, we can fight for the top places.

“How many players will it take? I don’t think it is a lot, you have no possibility to change a lot of players.

“With two or three of the right players we can compete.”

Realistically, the quality of player Ancelotti requires to lift Everton into the top four would cost well in excess of £100million. But he explained that in talks with owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright, the desire and ambition exists to do that.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has committed his long-term future to Everton to 2025 by signing a new improved five-year contract.

And Ancelotti insisted that the England Under-21 striker is the exciting future of the club along with defender Mason Holgate, who also signed a long-term deal with the Blues this week.

Calvert-Lewin, 22, said:

“This is a very proud day.

We want to be in Europe and with Carlo leading the ship it makes it easier for us to believe in the process.”