Women’s FA Cup winners in 2009/10, those heady days for Everton football club feel firmly in the rear view mirror. The club continues to struggle financially, holding out hope for a new owner. This instability has formed a necessity for a more pragmatic approach to be taken by the Toffees in recent times.

Overseeing this approach is head coach Brian Sørensen, who had a mixed season in charge last year, one that was overall a disappointing one for the club. Their financial restraints have meant that their transfer window has largely had to be self-funded.

They have sold players like Hanna Bennison (Juventus) and Martina Piemonte (Lazio) only spending the money received to purchase new players. They have been impressive in the transfer window despite this, Inma Gabarro (Sevilla), Honoka Hayashi (West Ham United), Melissa Lawley (Liverpool) Veatriki Sarri (Brighton & Hove Albion), Toni Payne (Sevilla), Inês Pereira (Servette) are all smart signings made within their means. 

Upfront improvements

Everton will hope these new signings will help the Toffees’ luck in front of goal. They desperately struggled for goals last year, with their top scorer in the league netting just three goals. Last year, only relegated Bristol City had a lower accumulated xG throughout the season, and only the Robins and West Ham United scored fewer goals.

A mitigating factor when considering Everton’s record last season was their woeful luck with injuries. Key player after key player missed large chunks of the campaign last year, contributing to their issues with scoring goals and the chemistry in a settled starting eleven.

Everton finished 17 points above the relegation zone and rarely looked threatened by demotion, but an important caveat to that is Bristol’s points tally was the lowest in the league in a full season since Yeovil were docked points, and relegated on minus three in 2018/19. The relegated side this season is highly likely to garner more points.

Everton are a club that want to be in the discussion for a top half finish, and while they have quality in their ranks and a talented manager at the helm, they are likely to be more conscious of staying ahead of those chasing them, than they are of catching those in front.

Making the difference

Clare Wheeler made more blocks and interceptions than any Everton player last year. The battling Australian typified the competitive spirit Sørensen wants to instil in his side. Wheeler won the fourth most tackles of anyone in the league last year and while she did concede two penalties last season, some would say that’s the cost of doing business. Wheeler is never one to shirk a challenge, an asset which will be vital for an Everton side who will do a lot of defending this season.

Italian Aurora Galli is another key player for the Toffees. When Galli signed for Everton in 2021, she became the first Italian player to play in the WSL, many have followed since but this trailblazer has never fully hit her stride in Everton blue. That is not to say Galli has not impressed, she provided five goal contributions to the team last term and filled in at right wing back in the final few months of last season proving adept in the position. Galli has more to give for Sørenson’s side, and her versatility is worth its weight in gold for a side that has struggled with injuries of late.

Another player with a potential to make a difference this season is Heather Payne. With a work ethic largely unmatched, Payne is a tireless runner for Everton. The Irishwoman won two penalties for the club last season, also completing the most progressive carries of any Everton player.

The youngest Toffee in the squad looks set to have a big season. 16-year-old Issy Hobson knows how to make an entrance, and last season she grabbed all the headlines after scoring a last minute equaliser against Arsenal. While she spent most of her time on the bench, the signs are good that she will rack up more minutes in the near future. Hobson has been given the no. 4 shirt by Everton – a clear sign of their confidence in the young starlet.

There once was a player called Megan Finnigan

The captain of this side and one of its biggest goal threats, centre back Megan Finnigan is a player held in high esteem on Merseyside. The devotion the Everton fans have for her is, in no small part, aided by her ability to save the best performances of her season for the derby at Anfield. To Sørenson and co’s delight, Finnigan could be found scoring in both of her two recent matches there against Everton’s old rivals.

More than that, her leadership and ability to command the backline have helped the Toffees compete in big games against big opponents, even if they did not always come away with anything to show for it. She is a real threat from set pieces in the box, and quite considerably over performed when it came to her xG last season.

Brosnan’s safe hands

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is key to Everton’s hopes of a successful season this campaign. Everton’s player’s player of the season last year, no goalkeeper made more saves than Brosnan’s 95 last season (15 more than the next highest). Brosnan had to fight off stiff competition for her place in the side, it must be said.

Emily Ramsey another adept shot stopper used to rotate the position with the Irish keeper but after an injury to Ramsey left the door ajar, soon Brosnan’s form made it impossible to deny her a fixed place in the starting lineup. Brosnan was second only to Golden Glove winner Khiara Keating in percentage of shots saved at 75% yet Brosnan faced 59 more shots on target than Manchester City’s breakout star did. Everton rewarded Brosnan’s fine performances with a contract extension to keep her at the club until 2026.

Twinning mentality

Everton count among their ranks a pair of identical twins sisters Karen and Sara Holmgaard, this will be their third season as Toffees. Both Karen and Sara impressed last season for the club, with Sara ending the season on five goal involvements from defence, whilst Karen (who had an injury plagued season) scored twice from the midfield. Both sisters signed new deals with Everton over the summer, and can provide a cornerstone for this team going forward.

Home discomforts

Walton Hall Park has been the Toffees’ home since 2020, but it has not been a happy hunting ground of late. Everton averaged the second lowest attendance in the league last year and their home form was dismal. Everton won only one game in the league at home all season. Such poor home form cannot continue, and Brian Sørensen will be keenly aware of that. The club have used Goodison Park sparingly for their women’s team, but have confirmed one match at the famous old stadium in its final season: the Merseyside derby. Fans will hope more are announced soon, and that this will be the catalyst to improved results in the H column of the table.

Pre-season form

Everton have had a mixed pre-season. Defeats to Aston Villa and Burnley were low points, while a convincing win over Newcastle and a goalless draw against Liverpool were reasons to feel more cheerful. They have been able to give minutes to most of their summer signings in the lead up to the new season, which is surely a major positive.

Verdict

They are likely to have enough to stay in the division, but their luck won’t last unless the new ownership invests, and takes women’s football seriously.