‘TOFFEES MUCH SWEETER WITH OUR NEW BOYS’

CARLO ANCELOTTI believes Everton’s new recruits are helping fire up the whole Toffees squad this season.

The Blues got James Rodriguez (above), Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure and started the season with a 1-0 win over Tottenham.

Ancelotti’s side host West Brom today as they look to build on their promising start.

And the Italian believes the trio of new signings are bringing the best in everyone.

He said: “In general, the quality of the training sessions compared to last season improved a lot and I think not only for these three new signings.

“They improved because there is more ambition and more motivation for this season and we have to keep this motivation high because this is what we need if we want to get results.

“You can have results if you have high motivation.” Ancelotti admitted there will be some player sales before the window closes as the club look to slash their squad.

But he also needs centre-back cover after confirming Jarrad Branthwaite faces up to five weeks out while Mason Holgate could be absent for three months.

Everton are interested in Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori on loan but Ancelotti warned a new arrival won’t be guaranteed playing time with Michael Keane and Yerry Mina ahead of them.

He said: “Every player knows that when they come to Everton they have to fight with competitive team-mates and so sometimes it can happen they are going to play and sometimes they’re on the bench.”

Ancelotti also joked Thiago Alcantara’s arrival at Liverpool “breaks his heart” after the Spain midfielder he worked with at Bayern Munich joined Everton’s rivals.

He added: “Breaks my heart, breaks my heart. I think he chose the wrong team.”