THE ink barely dry on his new contract, an excited Marouane Fellaini began talking of Wembley, a top-five finish, fresh investment and an influx of new players at Everton FC.

If Everton FC realise just half of the Belgian’s ambitions, then the future would appear much brighter for the Goodison outfit and their followers.

After months of growing disquiet with perceived off-field stagnation and a run of disappointing results, a sizeable shaft of light pierced the gloom yesterday with confirmation Fellaini had finally signed a new five-year deal.

With a second march by fans group The Blue Union planned ahead of tomorrow’s home match with Wolverhampton Wanderers, it was a particularly timely and powerful message that Everton can still hold on to their leading players.

Like Mikel Arteta, Fellaini’s Goodison career has been subject of much conjecture during the calendar year.

But while Arteta’s advancing years meant the lure of Champions League football was too strong to resist a move to Arsenal in the summer, Fellaini remains convinced he can realise his immediate aims at Goodison – despite another underwhelming start to a campaign that has seen them slump to 17th place in the Premier League.

“I have still got things I want to achieve at Everton,” says the Belgian. “I have been here three-and-a-half years but I feel I can grow as a player and I want to do my best for the club and put in some great performances and come on and develop as a player. I feel I can do that with this club.

“I have been here three-and-a-half years and it is not the first time that we have had a bad start to the season.

“The first year I was here we were in the bottom places and we ended fifth, last year we finished seventh after a slow start. I know it is something that we can put right.

“We have been up there before during my time here, knocking on the door of the top five, so why can’t we upset that hierarchy in the Premier League?