Pienaar - New recruits needed

Pienaar: Toffees need cash boost

Steven Pienaar feels Everton must invest in new players if they are to become top-four challengers.

The Toffees are regular top-half finishers, with a top 10 standing achieved in six of the last eight seasons.

They have, however, only managed to push into the UEFA Champions League places on one occasion, back in 2005.

It appears unlikely that they will be able to repeat that feat this season, with a disappointing opening to the campaign leaving them 15th heading into Christmas.

Part of the problem for Everton over the years has been the fact that their budget is considerably smaller than that of many of their rivals.

South Africa international Pienaar believes that needs to change if the Toffees are to break their shackles, with it imperative that fresh faces are added to a promising squad.

"I think the quality is here at the club," said the 28-year-old midfielder.

Problem

"The only problem, like everyone seems to know, is the money issue - we need more players.

"Hopefully that will change in the next few years and the team can go on to challenge."

Meanwhile, Pienaar has praised the work undertaken by David Moyes during his reign at Goodison Park, with the Scot having helped to raise expectations on the blue half of Merseyside.

"I think he's a workaholic, he works around the clock, and I think he deserves the two [manager of the year] awards he has got," he told Fifa's official website.

"I think there is a lot more he will achieve and I think he will become one of the best managers in the world."

Pienaar has attempted to steer clear of discussing his own future at Everton, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, but has offered hope to the Toffees by claiming that he is happy at the club.

He said: "I've not enjoyed my football more than this before."