With four of the PL top six contesting the FA Cup semi-finals, and Manchester United already the EFL Cup winner, seventh place will guarantee European football next season.
Everton, seven points clear of closest rivals West Brom, are in pole position to fill that slot.
With European football comes greater demands, least of all a large squad full of top quality – something the Blues are lacking at the moment.
Goalkeeper
England’s No1, Joe Hart, has been linked with Everton ever since Pep Guardiola dumped the two time Premier League champion.
He is a top shot stopper but like most keepers, has his blood rush to the head moments. Certainly one Ronald Koeman could look at once his loan move at Torino has expired.
Two more English ‘keepers under the spotlight are Fraser Forster, a former player under Koeman at Southampton.
And then there’s Jack Butland, a target whilst at Birmingham. The injury prone 23 year old has a massive future once he shakes off his fitness issues.
Left Back
Leighton Baines isn’t getting any younger and niggling injuries over the past few seasons aren’t a great sign for the England ace.
With no back up after Bryan Oviedo’s exit and Brendan Galloway’s pointless benchwarming stint at The Hawthorns it’s time to think about the future.
Young Ben Chilwell of Leicester and Scotland international Andrew Robertson of Hull fit the bill.
Right Back
Seamus Coleman’s devastating broken leg leaves a monumental gap at right back. The club’s youth system is filled with right backs so is it time to give Mason Holgate a run? Under 23 skipper
Jonjoe Kenny is a right full back, as well as loan trio Tyias Browning, Callum Connolly and Gethin Jones.
Is it time for the kids to step up and shine or do the blues have to invest?
Centre Half
Burnley’s Michael Keane has proved himself a real talent, recognised by him receiving his first England cap. The former Manchester United youngster is the perfect fit to replace an ageing Phil Jagielka.
Of course, the dream is Dutch international Virgil van Dijk, another former Koeman player. VvD is arguably the best centre back in the league so it would be a massive task to win him over any Champions League suitors.
Left Midfield
The left hand side has been a huge problem since Steven Pienaar’s exit. The club haven’t managed to find a replacement but it was never going to be easy.
Has anyone caught your eye who could do a job like the South African?
Attacking Midfielder
Competition for Ross Barkley’s place in the side is minimal if at all. This I feel, is a large contribution to inconsistent and poor spells that have plagued his Everton career so far.
Wayne Rooney is a name never too far away from Everton’s on the back pages.
Man United’s all time leading goalscorer’s time at Old Trafford is up and he is ready for one last hurrah.
The captain of England has looked a little stale over the past few seasons so maybe a change will lift him.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Premier League’s top assist maker – in a truly abysmal Swansea side – is the one Koeman surely has his eyes on.
A set piece specialist and eight league goals to his name this campaign, he’s the perfect candidate, even maybe to fill that troublesome left hand side slot.
Striker
Enner Valencia, Arouna Koné and youngsters Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman join Romelu Lukaku as the L4 striking power.
They may have 26 goals between them in the league but 21 have came from Lukaku. Not great, is it?
Finding a striker who can bag 15/20 goals a term as well as the big man is an enormous ask. The Toffees cannot rely on one man to score all their goals forever, and of course, he may be off sooner rather than later.
Anyone in particular you would want on Everton’s list of potential transfers?
Agree with anything, everything, nothing at all what I’ve said? Let me know in the comments or with a tweet at @TomFerguson.
COYB.