‘TOFFEES STILL PEOPLE’S SIDE’
LIVERPOOL are champions of England – but Michael Keane insists Everton are still the people’s club.
As a former Manchester United player who now wears Royal Blue, the England defender, 25, knows how much the pain of seeing Jurgen Klopp’s men claim the title is felt at Goodison Park.
Keane believes that the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti (below) at the club is an indication of the ambition of Everton’s owners to build a team capable of challenging their greatest rivals.
But the £30million recruit from Burnley claims Everton’s response to the coronavirus crisis proves the club will never lose touch with their fans.
Everton’s players took voluntary paycuts of up to 50 per cent when Covid-19 struck, with Keane himself contracting the virus.
He said: “The deferral was for an initial three-month period and we’ll see what the club says after that.
“But it has not, and it will never affect the commitment of us as players.
“All the lads were happy to help out. But ever since I joined Everton it became clear straight away how much the club does for the local community and how much the people benefit.
“Whether that’s mental health, food banks, all kinds of good projects, we as players are happy to get involved with it. I think Everton are the best around for that. It’s what makes this club so special, because it brings the players and the fans closer together.”
Everton travel to face Wolves at Molineux still harbouring ambitions of qualifying for Europe.
But after another season of inconsistency, Keane believes the arrival of Ancelotti is a sign the club will go on to bigger and better things over the coming years.
He said: “Obviously not nice for any Evertonion to see your rivals winning the league – although Liverpool’s been brilliant this year.
“It has helped there’s been no fans allowed in grounds and celebrations were diluted.
“I think it’s helped our fans cope with it a bit better.
“But as a club we obviously want to try to compete at the top end of the league ourselves.
“We know it will take a bit of time but we’ve seen even from Liverpool it can be done.”
Keane added: “Four or five years ago they were in our position.
“With a bit of stability, good signings and a change of mentality they got there.
“Hopefully we can give Everton fans something to brag about in the next couple of years.
“I think it’s been clear since the manager came in we have made improvements.
“We know we have still got a lot of work to do, but I’m sure we’ll get there when the squad is strengthened in the next transfer window and the few after that.”