TOFFEE CRISP

In-form Keane says new-look Everton is down to change in mentality boss Carlo Ancelotti has brought in.. where only winning is good enough

MICHAEL KEANE has noticed a change at Everton which goes way ond results in their ressive start to the on.

s a change in mentality, a ge in attitude and of course ange in the dressing room top-class signings in James iguez, Allan and Abdoulaye coure. t Keane can also sense a nge i n a mbi t i o n from king with a world-class anager in Carlo Ancelotti who is stamping his auth ority at Goodison Park. Keane, one of the outstanding players this season , said: “Everton is a massive club, the reality hit with a lot of the players that we’ve got a world-class manager and, as players, if we’re not delivering then they can bring in someone else.

“Since I joined in 2017 there’s been f o u r mana g e r s p l u s caretaker-managers, and as p l aye r s , we h av e to take responsibility for that.

“We can’t blame the manager anymore because he’s a worldclass manager, and it’s down to us as players to do what we can on the pitch . Ever ybody is fighting for their places.

“The manager gives us the best platform and the freedom to play. We know if we’re not doing that then it’s down to us.

“He’s brilliant, really easy going, easy to talk to and has that authority. He commands respect straight away.

“I was talking to him the other day about the centrehalves he’s worked with in the past.

Just listening to the names, he was reeling them off… Cannavaro, Nesta , Maldini , Thiago Silva and he named about five more I’ve probably forgotten!”

The desire to be the best is rubbing off on Keane who has stepped up this season, winning himself an England recall , scoring two goals and producing a string of eye-catching performances.

Everton have been solid at the back, the big names have added to the team but the blend throughout the squad is the reason why they have made a 100 per cent start.

“I’ve been really pleased. I’ve played f ive games thi s season, three in the league and the main thing for me is being consi stent. The best players in the league, in the world, do it w e e k- i n a n d week-out,” said

Keane.

“I’m at an age now,

27, where that’s something I need to be doing. In the past, I’ve done really well for six or seven months then maybe had a few off-weeks and hopefully that won’t happen again. I feel really good, fit and strong.”

There is a sense of excitement around James – a global superstar – but the squad has done its own soul-searching over the summer which is why they believe they can win trophies this season. Keane added: “He’s got that extra quality and it gives a massive boost to the group. “He’s shown consistency since he’s been here. He’s a top lad, normal, down to earth and settled in straight away.

“There’s been an improvement throughout the squad, there’s been a collective thing – a shift in mentality.

“We’re moving towards a winning mentality and not accepting anything less than a win. We go into games expecting to win.

“We should be looking to do something special this year. We know it’s going to be tough but to be a successful season we want to finish in the European places and try to win a trophy. “If we can get to a final and potentially win something then it would be amazing. “They are the sort of goals that we set ourselves as a group and what we are striving towards.”