Gary Neville believes Everton are a much more 'serious' team this season because of the arrivals of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan.
The Blues have started the season in fantastic form with three wins from as many Premier League outings, including a 1-0 away win at Tottenham Hotspur.
The signings of James Rodriguez, Doucoure and Allan have been widely praised, with the trio adding a new dimension to Everton's midfield.
Rodriguez has found himself stationed on the right but with the license and freedom to drift centrally, with Doucoure and Allan adding steel and quality alongside Andre Gomes in midfield.
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Their arrival has helped to add a solidity and strength to Everton's midfield, claims Neville, who believes the side were weak in midfield last season.
"They looked better, yes," Neville told The Gary Neville Podcast.
"I was at the first game at Tottenham and I thought that was a big moment to give them the confidence to win that away game, something like 42 against the top-six.
"It's not easy to win those matches but you expect you will win one in every 10 or so if you're a team like Everton.
"They look like they have more quality, more belief. James Rodriguez coming in, the two midfield players Doucoure and Allan have made a big difference in making them more solid.
"They were too weak in midfield last year. You looked at a midfield of say Gomes and Sigurdsson and you know they're talented but you think, on the other side you see how the top teams are playing, how Liverpool and Manchester City have played at their best and you can't get away with that in midfield.
"Everton are a much more serious team this year. They have shown potential but those three signings look they have just given them that extra bit of belief and they have talented forward in Richarlison and Dominic Clavert-Lewin that will cause problems."