Everton boss Rafa Benitez is delighted with the improvements he's seen since the start of the season.

Benitez is also happy with the input of new additions Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Asmir Begovic.

"I have seen big improvements. Big improvements," explained Benitez to the Liverpool Echo. "Because we brought players with the right mentality.

"They are really pleased to train well, to be professional and to improve. And the players that were here, the majority of them, I will tell you they are happy in the way that we push them nicely. They try to be better every time.

"We try to change little things and you have to use the staff and the players that you have and sometimes you have to shake everyone a bit, to be sure that everyone gives their maximum potential.

"I am happy with that - normally it is easier to sign good players by spending a lot of money and you have to man-manage them, but I like to coach players too and if they are training well and they are keen to learn they will improve."