Ben Foster believes Everton can't 'expect miracles' after they narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season tipping the Blues to finish outside the top 10.
So far the Blues have made one addition in the former Burnley defender James Tarkowski - arriving on a free transfer. Everton's Financial Fair Play difficulties have been well documented and at the beginning of July, the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham was completed.
This season offers Frank Lampard the opportunity to stamp his mark on the squad in his first pre-season, after replacing Rafa Benitez who was sacked at the end of January.
READ MORE: Vitalii Mykolenko message as Everton and Dynamo Kyiv prepare for special match
READ MORE: Everton to 'explore move' for Wolves star Leandro Dendoncker
It's a difficult start for the Blues as they begin their campaign at home to Chelsea before trips to Aston Villa and Brentford, with Nottingham Forest visiting Goodison Park in between. September poses a tough run as Everton face Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham with both the former and the latter at home.
"I guarantee this is where a lot of people went wrong last season. I bet a lot of people would've predicted Everton to be top 10, sort of top 10," Foster said on his Cycling GK YouTube channel.
"To be fair, they did well to finish 16th, there was one point with five or six games to go where we were certain Everton were done, we were certain Everton were done. The interesting thing with Everton is, when Frank Lampard took over, they tried to play a certain style of football that they just weren't suited for.
"They were trying to pass out and play nice football and then they changed it a bit, tried to go a bit direct and they got a little bit more joy. Then towards the end of the season, they found out that Jordan Pickford can kick the ball an absolute mile, get the ball up there, get around it, get work rate high, Richarlison if you can get him ticking you'll get a chance and that's exactly what they did, they managed to win massive games.
"But just the way they've got the team going, Anthony Gordon turned out to be a revelation last year but I think they're going to finish 14th this season, I don' think they're going to be too disappointed with that. I don't think they can expect miracles but I think 14th will do."
READ NEXT:
-
Everton tipped to make 'bargain' transfer move for Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe
-
Doucoure gives honest opinion on Everton season and offers Lampard tactics insight
-
Farhad Moshiri has just been sent stark double reminder of Everton 'reality'
-
Lampard is right about Everton transfers as fears over Moshiri pledge linger
-
Gordon opens up on ambitions, what's left him feeling 'old' and Minnesota defeat
