Source: Liverpool_Echo
European minimum for Everton FC skipper Leon Osman
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.'
