Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes that his team can continue to develop after their impressive campaign in the Premier League last year.
The Toffees narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot to Arsenal, but despite the club strengthening their squad during the summer, Martinez doesn't believe that progress this season should be judged on whether they can finish in fourth place.
The 41-year-old told Sky Sports News: "You don't set targets of a top-four place, you look at it that we have a huge opportunity of playing in Europe and that was always an exciting prospect.
"If we can maintain the level of performances that we had last season with the demands that playing in European competition brings, that would be a real step forward.
"We all know that in August, you don't decide on your aims for the league because it's a 10-month campaign but we are ready to continue what we did last season."
Everton travel to Leicester City on the opening day of the season.
Darren Plant
