Have to create a team that will fight for the shirt until the last minute: Rafael Benitez

Everton manager Rafael Benitez has expressed a desire to shape an Everton side that “fights for the shirt from the first minute to the last”. Benitez further wishes to bring a winning mentality to every fixture the Blues contest. The former Liverpool manager expressed these viewpoints at his first press conference as an Everton manager. The Spaniard further revealed his excitement about the “great challenge” ahead, sharing his confidence with regard to the English club’s foundations for success.

Benitez has won 13 major trophies as a manager, which is an indication of his prowess in the role. He outlined the qualities demanded from players, every time they step out on the pitch.

“We have to create a team that will be competitive”

“We have to create a team that will be competitive, that fights for the shirt from the first minute until the last and doesn’t give up. It doesn’t matter the name of the other team. We will try to win. We will try to play good football and we know the fans want to see the team playing well, but winning. We will try to do that. I know about the Club, the tradition and its history, the ambition of the owners and the fanbase. I want to compete. It is a great opportunity and a challenge for me,” said Benitez as quoted by Everton’s official website.

“I will fight for my team like I did in every place I was working. I will do my best every single game. We want to be pushing and pushing, trying to get three points in every game and going as far as we can in the cup competitions. I know how the team finished last season. We will try to do better. But, as people say, it is not about talking the talk, it is about walking the walk. I prefer to do this. My idea is to be sure the team has confidence and the players can stick together. I am happy with the commitment of the lads. They are training well. I believe we can improve the players we have and, if we can add players that are good for us, that is the objective.”

“Want to bring some players that can help us be even more competitive”

Benitez indicated a desire to go for the addition of players, who can help Everton emerge as a competitive team.

“We want to bring some players that can help us be even more competitive, to be sure we are better than in the last seasons. We have a good communication with all the people here. We, of course, have to manage the financial restrictions, but we can still be ambitious. The target is to improve. As people say, it is not about talking the talk, it is about walking the walk. I prefer to do this. I have had some conversations with some senior players and all of them are ambitious and all of them realise something was missing. This is something we have to be sure we find.”

“For me, there has to be a winning mentality from the first day until the last day. These conversations have been in this direction. They [the players] want to do well and are desperate for the team to improve. That is very important to me, to have these senior players that continue pushing and can be an example for the younger players,” concluded Benitez.