Big-spending Everton MUST finish in the Premier League’s top six this season, talkSPORT told

Everton MUST secure a top-six spot in the Premier League this season as they get set to splash the cash once more, talkSPORT has been told.

That’s according to Arsenal legend Perry Groves, who believes the imminent arrivals of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and James Rodriguez have underlined the ambition the Toffees board have demonstrated once more this summer.

Ancelotti and Rodriguez are set to reunited once more

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Doucoure is set to join the Merseyside outfit from relegated Watford in a £22m deal, while Allan is poised to arrive from Napoli after the Italian club accepted a £24million offer.

The marque signing of Real Madrid forward Rodriguez – with the fee currently undisclosed – is also close to being completing.

And Groves says it’s now time for Everton – who finished 12th in the 2019/20 standings – to take their game to the next level on the field.

“Realistically they should be looking to get into the top six,” Groves told White & Sawyer. “That is how far they’ve fallen down.

“They’ve wasted a lot of money in the past – their recruitment has been horrendous through managers, through transfer committees.

“The reason they brought in Carlo Ancelotti is because he’s a manager of huge stature.

Doucoure is also on his way to Goodison Park

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“He wouldn’t have gone there if he wouldn’t have been given assurance that he had money to spend.

“If you look at [Abdoulaye] Doucoure, he’s an excellent signing because he plays in the 4-2-3-1 in the middle of the three where he can get himself forward and into the box. He’s intelligent with his runs and has physicality too.

“If you look at Allan – a midfield player as well – he’s very, very good on the ball. He stops, he plays a little bit deeper.

“And then [James] Rodriguez and [Carlo] Ancelotti obviously know each other.

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“I think they are a very big threat to get themselves in the top six and if they do that the next step will be getting into the top four.

“For the money you’re going to spend and the money they have then that [top six spot] is a prerequisite.”

Ancelotti’s men entertain Championship side Preston in a friendly on Saturday afternoon, before they start the new Premier League season with a trip to Tottenham on September 13.

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