When Roberto Martinez met with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright prior to taking charge of the Premier League side in June 2013, he made the bold statement that he was the man to guide the Blues to Champions League football.
Fast forward two and a half seasons and so far the Everton boss has failed to deliver his promise but are the club any closer to Champions League football than when he succeeded David Moyes at Goodison Park?
Champions League the next step
It was a different story when Martinez's predecessor David Moyes met with Bill Kenwright prior to taking over at Everton in 2002, Moyes on that day told the Everton chairman that he would keep the Blues in the Premier League.
Not only did Moyes deliver on his promise of keeping Everton in the top-flight, but he far exceeded the club's expectations and ambitions during his reign. Despite the fact Moyes never won any silverware during his time at Everton, there is little doubt that Everton achieved greater heights during his time with the club than anything that he would have thought was possible.
Everton crashed out of the Champions League without reaching the group stage.
(Image: Getty Images)
Not least surpassing all expectations to guide Everton to a fourth place finish in the league during the 2004/05 season and securing a place in the Champions League. However, their European campaign ended with a loss to La Liga side Villarreal in the qualifying round.
When David Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, he left the club after a decade of knocking on the door of Champions League football, but the hope was Roberto Martinez would be the man to open the door and take Everton to the next step.
Martinez was appointed as Everton boss on the condition that he could take the club to the promise land of Champions League football and Everton supporters were delighted to hear him say that this was his intention.
Failed to deliver so far
It was also going to be a tough task for any manager to take Everton to the Champions League, especially considering they would have to break into the Premier League's so called 'big-four'.
However, Martinez inherited a squad that was established in the top-six and the additions of James McCarthy, Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry made Everton even stronger. He endured a hugely promising first season in charge of Everton and came close to securing Champions League football in his first season in charge.
The 2013/14 season saw Everton record their highest ever points tally (72) in the Premier League, finishing eight points behind Arsenal in fourth place. However, a 3-0 victory over Arsenal in April moved Everton just one point behind Arsenal, but three defeats in their final six games followed and saw their hope of a top-four finish fade away.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring in Everton's 3-0 win over Arsenal.
(Image: Getty Images)
There was lots of optimism around Goodison Park going into last season, after coming close to a top-four finish the season before, with the next step to go one better and try and push into the top four.
However, the 2014/15 season proved to be a case of second season blues for Martinez. His side finished outside the top 10 for the first time since 2005/06 and recorded their lowest points tally since 2004.
After just six wins in their opening 28 league games, Everton were nervously looking over their shoulders at the relegation battle, instead of being in the race to finish in the top-four.
The Toffees participation in the Europa League appeared to influence their league form, but whatever the reason, finishing 11th was a major disappointment for everyone at the club and moved Everton further away from Champions League football.
Could 2016 be the year?
Everton players have spoken on the record this season about how Champions League qualification is a realistic target, including Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku.
However, after three successive draws and a defeat in their last four games, Everton seem to be moving further back in the queue, now finding themselves 10th in the Premier League table and leapfrogged by clubs such as Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Watford and West Ham United.
Inconsistency a problem
There have been notable groans and sounds of frustration around Goodison Park recently, with some supporters becoming restless. From their games against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Norwich City, Everton would have been disappointed to have only picked up three points.
Those six dropped points would have seen Everton sit fourth in the Premier League, which will be especially frustrating for Everton supporters as they were all games which their side should have won.
Romelu Lukaku rescues a point for Everton against Crystal Palace. (Image: Getty Images)
The Toffees twice squandered the lead to draw 3-3 with Bournemouth, before Romelu Lukaku then rescued a point for the Blues against Crystal Palace in a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. Then against Norwich they again failed to convert their chances and turn their dominance into goals, before having to settle with a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.
Against Leicester City on Saturday it was another game where Everton should have done enough to win. The Toffees had 67% possession, 13 shots and 10 corners but still only managed as many shots on goal as Leicester and they were punished by Leicester's clinical touch.
2016 a great opportunity to break into 'top-four'
If Everton are serious about Champions League football then they need to start being more ruthless and cut out defensive mistakes, especially as this season presents a great opportunity for teams to break into the 'top-four'. Manchester United are fading fast, without a win in six games and currently out of the top four, Chelsea are irrelevant at this stage, languishing in 15th place, and Liverpool have been inconsistent and producing performances that are often below par.
Leicester City have seized the opportunity and top the Premier League table at Christmas, an incredible achievement and transformation considering they were bottom of the table 12 months ago. Everton supporters will look at Leicester and think that it could be their team in their position, but instead they are really no closer to Champions League football this season.
Leicester's win over Everton ensured they will be top of the table at Christmas. (Image: Liverpool Echo)
Everton have the abillity
There is no doubting that Everton have the ability to challenge for the top-four and secure Champions League football. Romelu Lukaku, John Stones, Seamus Coleman, Ross Barkley and James McCarthy have all been coveted by Champions League clubs and capable of playing at that level, while Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Tim Howard and Gareth Barry are all experienced top-six players.
Everton have the ability and they have shown that they are capable of beating any side, but it is now about getting the results and consistency that are required to finish in the Premier League's 'top-four'.