Women’s Super League 2024-25 previews No 6: Everton

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 10th (NB: this is not necessarily Tom Garry’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 8th

The plan

Having finished eighth last term, a comfortable 17 points clear of the relegation zone, Everton have the appearance of a safe, mid-table side that probably won’t be at risk of going down, yet at the same time they seem fairly unlikely to trouble the sides chasing European qualification. However, while other clubs are investing, the uncertainty around Everton’s future ownership has left them with a much smaller budget than their rivals and it is now hard to see them truly kicking on up the table until that changes.

Trying to work smartly with what little resources they have, the club appear to have recruited well and they have added more pace to their attacking options, specifically with the arrival of Toni Payne and Melissa Lawley. With Everton’s style of play, breaking quickly when they win the ball back is essential and pace was something they were lacking at times last season.

Like many of the teams that finished in the bottom half, goals were hard to come by last term. Everton managed to score just 24 in 22 league games and that needs to change. However, they have also repeatedly proved they are strong and steady at the back and they recorded by far the tightest defence in the bottom half last season, conceding significantly fewer goals than anybody else around them. Yet a lot of their possession and territory comes in their own half – last term, they had the second-highest number of touches of the ball in their own penalty area, while having the second-fewest touches in their opponent’s box.

However, last season their problems were compounded by an extensive injury list and their fans will be hopeful that, if the core of the squad can stay fit, they can have an enjoyable campaign.

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The manager

The former Fortuna Hjørring manager Brian Sørensen has been in charge at Everton since 2022 and in April he signed a two-year contract, extending his stay on Merseyside until at least the summer of 2026. The Dane has brought an aesthetically pleasing style of play and, despite being restricted somewhat by the club’s distinct lack of cash, he has so far produced relatively solid results in the circumstances. He is known to have a pretty good eye for recruitment, often finding young gems or bargains overseas, but there’s only so far they can get a club.

Off-field picture

The protracted sale of the whole football club has meant that the women’s team are not exactly blessed with an abundance of money and there appears to be little desire from the owners to invest heavily in the women’s team until that situation is resolved. The American businessman John Textor is hoping to take over the club and that might give Everton supporters some hope of light at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, the women’s team have put up with a summer transfer window where they have needed to sell players in order to bring new names in.

Breakout star

The England youth international defender Issy Hobson made history in April when she became the WSL’s youngest goalscorer, finding the net at the age of just 16 years and 180 days to secure a draw against Arsenal, and there’s a lot of hope that she can make further breakthroughs this season. She made 10 appearances in the WSL last season, including four league starts – you can expect those numbers to rise this year, although Everton won’t want to put too much pressure on her young shoulders too quickly.

A-lister

The Italy international Aurora Galli started 19 WSL games last season and is integral to their midfield. The 27-year-old signed a new contract in July and Sørensen said: “She is a wonderful human being, a great teammate and a delight for the coaching staff and me to work with. When we moved her into a freer role last season, she did really well. Hopefully we can build on that this season and she can be even more dangerous in front of goal. She isn’t even in her prime yet, there is still so much for her to give to the club and for the Italy national team.”

This summer’s business

The club’s five new faces this summer – largely financed by the sale of the Sweden midfielder Hanna Bennison to Juventus – have predominantly come from a bit of out-of-contract bargain hunting, but Everton have still managed to secure some exciting players. The 21-year-old Spain international Inma Gabarro is a gifted, skilful playmaker who the club believe has a huge future ahead of her, and she has arrived from Sevilla, together with the Nigeria forward Payne. Japan’s Honoka Hayashi should give the midfield a boost and some composure on the ball, while the 30-year-old former Birmingham, Manchester City and Liverpool winger Lawley adds another option up top. Greece’s Veatriki Sarri, who can take players on and is a confident finisher, has signed from Brighton and it is expected she might play more centrally than at her previous clubs.

Where do they play?

Their usual home ground, Walton Hall Park, is arguably the league’s least appealing for supporters to attend on a cold winter night – with fans mostly standing around the side of the pitch, unsheltered – and has a capacity of just over 2,000. Their games at Goodison Park have been few and far between. That said, in what is Goodison’s final season, the club have already announced that at least one WSL match will be played there, against Liverpool on 16 November, and more could follow before the historic venue shuts its doors for the final time.