Steve Walsh: Draw Offers 'Exciting Challenge' for Everton

Walsh: Draw Offers 'Exciting Challenge'

Director of Football was in Monaco to learn Everton's Europa League fate.

Steve Walsh believes an “exciting challenge and terrific opportunity” lies ahead for Everton after the Blues were drawn in the same Europa League group as Olympique Lyonnaise and Atalanta - sides that finished in the top-four positions of the French and Italian leagues respectively last season.

Everton will also face Cypriot outfit Apollon Limassol after being pitted in Group E of the continental competition.

Director of Football Walsh, alongside Club Secretary Dave Harrison, travelled directly to Monaco from Split early on Friday morning to attend the group stage draw.

The seafront Grimaldi Forum was awash with representatives and officials from the 48 clubs from all across Europe who were in attendance to discover their opponents.

“It’s an exciting challenge and a terrific opportunity to showcase our team in Europe,” Walsh said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to progress to the next stage.

“I’ve visited both Lyon and Atalanta in the last 12 months. They are both strong sides who finished in good positions last season in their leagues, but we will be up for the challenge and if we want to win this competition, we will need to play the best.

“Lyon have got players that are well-known in the Premier League, like Rafael and Memphis Depay, but they have also lost [Alexandre] Lacazette to Arsenal.

“When I saw Atalanta they looked a fluid team with a few decent individuals. Limassol will be a tricky one, too, and they are going to be a competitive side, so we have got to be on our toes in every game.”

Walsh took up his role at Everton just over a year ago and he is relishing the chance to see the Blues competing in a European campaign for the first time since he joined from Leicester City.

"This is what European football is all about,” he added. “It’s exciting and it will be great to play these teams at Goodison Park. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Everton FC