Joleon Lescott believes Everton are primed and ready to pass their next European test with flying colours.
After training at Finch Farm the Blues squad jetted out to Italy today with no fresh injury worries for the first leg of their UEFA Cup clash with Fiorentina and it is likely the travelling party will be boosted by Mikel Arteta, who has been in Spain receiving treatment on a groin injury.
Having won their last seven matches in this competition, supporters are daring to dream that this will be the next successful step on the road that will lead them to the City of Manchester Stadium in May, but Lescott says it would be “silly” for the players to think that way.
“Every game you play in Europe is tough,” said Lescott. “But we are going to travel with confidence. We feel good about ourselves. We know that if we are on top of our game, they will certainly have as much to worry about what we can do, as we have them.”
Everton have made huge strides since they scrambled past Metalist Kharkiv in the qualifying rounds last October but Lescott - who scored in both matches against the Ukrainians - reckons that victory was the catalyst for everything they have since gone on to achieve.
“Nobody knew what to expect when Kharkiv came to Goodison,” said Lescott, likely to play as a left-back in Florence once again. “I think we were a bit naive and underestimated them.
“That game was a massive turning point for our season. We have learned a lot since then and we are enjoying playing in Europe.”
