Former Everton manager Sam Allardyce believes the Toffees have a golden opportunity to break into the Premier League top six this season – and says they MUST take it.

With Chelsea in a transitional period under Frank Lampard and Manchester United struggling under Ole Gunner Solskjaer, Big Sam claims Everton will never get a better chance to return to European football.

And after another big spending summer that saw Marco Silva splash out over £100million on new signings – including Juventus striker Moise Kean and Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi – Allardyce says they are in a great position to do just that.

Getty Images - Getty 2 Richarlison heads Everton to victory over Wolves on Sunday – the Toffees have two wins from their opening four games

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“I think Everton should break into the top six and if they’re going to break in, this is the season to do it,” he told Tuesday’s Sports Breakfast.

“You’ve got the difficult situation at Chelsea and I feel at Manchester United as well.

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“United have gone even younger than Chelsea have with their squad this year; they’ve trimmed their squad down to the smallest number of experienced players I’ve probably ever seen.

“I think Man United might find breaking in a bit of a struggle, so will Chelsea, so that gives an opening and an opportunity for a team like Everton.

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“I don’t think Wolves will do it because they’re in Europe for the first time in a long, long time and that will take a toll on the squad, as we saw with Burnley last year. It’ll be difficult for them.

“But certainly Everton, with the spending power they’ve had over the last few years and the players they’ve bought…

Getty 2 Iwobi netted his first league goal for Everton over the weekend and Big Sam says the Toffees can challenge for a top six spot

“There are probably only three or four players who still play on a regular basis from when I was there for a short period.

“They’ve changed the team that much and have spent heavily in the market again.

“So I expect Everton to break into the top six.”

Listen back to Sam Allardyce on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast IN FULL above