Anwar El Ghazi makes blunt Rafa Benitez claim and assesses Everton chances

Anwar El Ghazi has had more managers than appearances at Everton so far but he’s convinced the Blues will stay up.

Snapped up on loan from Aston Villa on January 13, the winger never actually took to the field under either Rafa Benitez, who named him as an unused substitute for what proved to be his final game in charge at Norwich City, or caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson who was not allowed to include him in a match against his parent club.

After a nine-minute run-out towards the end of Everton’s 3-0 win over Leeds United, El Ghazi got an even shorter cameo in the 1-0 loss to Manchester City, entering the fray in the 88th minute.

While his playing time has been sparse so far, the 26-year-old remains determined to help Frank Lampard’s side clear of the danger zone.

Speaking to Elf (Eleven) magazine in his native Netherlands, El Ghazi said: “Although Everton are having a poor run, they are still a big club in England and I know for sure we will not be relegated.

“I know what hard work implies. When we were promoted to the Premier League with Aston Villa, we also had some tough times.

“I know what it takes to succeed and I relish the challenge. We have a good squad and I want to play my part in bringing the club to the place in the table where it belongs.”

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Although El Ghazi was brought to the club by Benitez, he acknowledges the former Liverpool manager was in a precarious position with the Blues and he now hopes to impress Lampard who insists all of the squad have been given a clean slate.

He said: “I have around in the world of football for some time