Source: Daily_Mail
Everton midfielder Osman insists: Getting into Europe is all that matters
Everton midfielder Leon Osman admits European qualification is the absolute minimum achievement this season despite increased competition from the Barclays Premier League big spenders.
Manager David Moyes spent around £17million in bringing in defenders Johnny Heitinga and Sylvain Distin from Atletico Madrid and Portsmouth respectively and Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
That outlay has been overshadowed by the likes of Manchester City (around £90million), Aston Villa (£38million), Sunderland (£35million) and Tottenham (£30million).
However, Everton have finished fifth the last two seasons and despite a shaky start Osman is convinced they will challenge again.
'We like to do things quietly here, stay under the radar and keep chipping away at things,' he said. 'Hopefully we can finish in a European slot again. There are two or three clubs not in the top four last season who have been throwing cash around and they'll be expected to get European qualification, but we're the same.
'We set our targets on European qualification as a minimum, but the great ambition for the club is to start winning silverware.'
Although injuries are currently preventing Moyes selecting from a full-strength squad the summer signings, plus the arrival of former West Ham and Blackburn right-back Lucas Neill on a free transfer, mean Everton are stronger than they were last season.
Osman welcomes greater competition in the squad and has stepped up his game after some good performances from Bilyaletdinov.
The same can be said of fellow Everton academy graduate Tony Hibbert, whose future at the club appeared uncertain after being hauled off at half-time in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea in May.
'Me and Hibbo are Evertonians and want what's best for the club,' added Osman.
'We want the club to improve and the only way we're going to do that is through competition for places and by getting better players.
'That's only going to make us play better too. We need to bring quality players in to make us work harder for our places. Hopefully we'll play well enough and show enough to keep us in the team, but ultimately we want the team to improve.'
