Ronald Koeman’s side set a nice foundation for Europa League qualification with their 1-0 first leg victory over Slovakian outfit Ružomberok last week and shouldn’t struggle to make it to the group stage of the competition. Everton’s summer spending proves that they are determined to permanently break into the Premier League’s elite, and their next move should be taking the Europa League seriously.

Not to say that they aren’t currently, but a genuine run at the Europa League would do wonders for the club’s international reputation. The club have begun to attract good foreign players, such as Davy Klaassen, and need to keep their momentum going after an above average Premier League campaign instead of faltering like they did after their 5^th placed 2013-14 season. Although the Europa League doesn’t carry the respect that the Champions League does, it is still a top competition and contains some of the world’s best players and clubs.

The competition also represents Everton’s best chance to get into Europe’s elite tournament, the Champions League. It is extremely difficult to see any club breaking up the league’s top six clubs unless one has a horrendous season, so finishing in the top four is almost certainly out of the question.

Manchester United did the math, focused on the Europa League and found their way into this season’s Champions League and Liverpool came ever so close by making the final two seasons ago. While Everton going all the way to the final is a lofty goal certainly, it is one that the ambitious Ronald Koeman needs to set with his squad.

International experience is priceless and provides an extra challenge to motivate the Dutchman’s squad. Playing on Thursdays isn’t ideal but it will give the club another chance to show Europe that they are capable of becoming a team ready for the rigours of being a club consistently in European competition.