View: Everton Champions League chase is really on after what Gueye just said

Everton are undoubtedly fighting for a Champions League place after a superb campaign.

David Moyes has steered his charges into eighth place in the Premier League and just three points behind fifth, which will likely be enough to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.

The 3-0 victory against Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium before the international break was a statement of intent and cemented their claim, while also damaging the visitors’ ambitions.

With just seven matches remaining, Toffees supporters may now be allowing themselves to quietly dream about away trips to some of football’s most iconic grounds.

Everton return to top-flight action against Brentford after the international break, and three more points would edge them ever closer to an achievement once thought improbable.

What did Idrissa Gueye say about Champions League?

Moyes is set to be given a new contract after performing wonders this season, and he has not shied away from the idea of bringing Champions League football back to the club.

The wily 62-year-old, however, is keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground, and judging by recent comments by Idrissa Gueye, this approach has also spread across the squad.

Asked about Everton’s chances of qualifying, Gueye replied: “We just need to keep calm.

“We just enjoy playing football and winning games and we will see at the end of the season.”

Rivals for the top five will almost certainly drop points before the end of the campaign, and the Toffees’ own ambitions will hinge on whether they can seize on these opportunities.

Adopting a level-headed attitude is the best course of action and proves that nobody on the blue half of Merseyside is getting carried away, despite their strong form to date.

When were Everton last in the Champions League?

Everton have flitted in and out of European competitions since 2000 and most recently featured in the Europa League in 2017-18, when they crashed out in the group stage.

However, they have not featured in the Champions League proper since the 1970-71 campaign, when the prestigious tournament was known as the European Cup.

They last qualified for the showpiece under Moyes back in 2005, having finished fourth in the Premier League, but could not beat Villarreal in the third qualifying round to progress.

What is clear is that the Scot has gone above and beyond expectations in his first full campaign back, and his refusal to play down their Champions League bid is refreshing.

“We were sitting here last year just beginning to edge ourselves away from relegation and still had lots of money to pay off, new ownership and 10 or 12 players out of contract,” said Moyes. “So for us to be in the position we are now is just great.”

It certainly is great, but it could be about to get even better.

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