The Manchester City Test For Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti. (Photo: Twitter @Everton)

JAKARTA - Match week 21 of the Premier League against Manchester City on Wednesday January 1 will be a barometer to see how Everton's true position. The new Everton coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed this.

Ancelotti, 60, has brought Everton two wins in his first two games since taking over as manager to replace Marco Silva, who was sacked in early December when the team slipped to third from bottom.

However, Ancelotti, one of three managers to have won the Champions League three times, said City would offer a realistic barometer of where Everton are after their victories over Burnley and Newcastle.

"Against City is a fantastic test to see where we are. They are a very strong team but we are confident to do our best," Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference.

Ancelotti, who in his first stint in England won two titles with Chelsea in the 2009/2010 season, said City remained formidable opponents even though they struggled in the title race after 14 points adrift of top-ranked Liverpool.

"Maybe City are not at the same level as last year but they are still an extraordinary team, with great players and a manager," he said.

Ancelotti also praised City manager Pep Guardiola, who he replaced at Bayern Munich when the Spaniard took charge of City in 2016.

"We've met several times, but not many. I have a very good relationship and really respect him. He is a genius, he always tries to do something special on the pitch," explained Don Carlo.