After enjoying an excellent 2020/21 campaign and targeting a place in the WSL’s Champions League places, Everton had somewhat of a turbulent 2021/22, having three separate managers over the course of the season and finishing down in 10th place.
It’s a fresh start for the Toffees this term, with new boss Brian Sorensen installed and a squad brimming with experienced internationals and emerging talent.
How will the 2022/23 season pan out? Here’s 90min’s WSL season preview for Everton.
Everton really set out the club’s ambitions when they signed Izzy Christiansen from Lyon in 2020. Capped 31 times by England, a former PFA Player of the Year winner and league champion in both England and France, she gives both experience and quality to the Toffees.
The classy midfielder can be deployed as a number 4, 8 or 10, and her technical ability, intelligence and vision are real assets for Everton in possession.
Everton burst out of the blocks during the 2020/21 campaign, with Christiansen integral. She finished the season with six goals and six assists – if Everton are to get back on track this term, the performances of Christiansen will be key.
Everton broke their transfer record to land Hanna Bennison last summer, and the teenager went on to win the Toffees’ Young Player of the Year award.
After spending a year settling into life in England and making headlines during the Euro 2022 group stages with a stunning individual goal, Bennison could be ready to take the WSL by storm this season, and will bring flair, creativity and composure to this Everton side.
The 2022/23 season will be Brian Sorensen’s first in the WSL, having been appointed in April before officially taking the Everton reins this summer. The job marks Sorensen’s first job outside of his native Denmark; he has won two Danish league titles with Fortuna Hjorring.
Sorensen worked with Danish talents Pernille Harder, Signe Bruun and Emma Snerle during the early stages of their careers, and was described as a coach with “a reputation for developing young talent and forming tight-knit squads, founded on supportive and driven cultures” following his appointment as Everton boss.
In
Out
Losing goalkeeper Sandy MacIver to Manchester City is arguably Everton’s biggest transfer window blow, and they have lost WSL experience with the departures of Simone Magill and Danielle Turner.
However, the Toffees have been busy in the transfer market; Jess Park was given the nod in a number of big games for City last term and could be a really shrewd loan addition, while, fresh from Euro 2022, Denmark centurion Katja Snoeijs brings vast amounts of international experience.
Everton had been one of the top teams in the country during the 2000s, but fell off the pace shortly after the WSL’s formation and were relegated in 2014. They enjoyed an impressive 2020/21 campaign, before falling short of expectations last term.
2011: 3rd
2012: 3rd
2013: 5th
2014: 8th (relegated)
2017/18: 9th
2018/19: 10th
2019/20: 6th
2020/21: 5th
2021/22: 10th
Everton are one of a cluster of teams who could arguably finish anywhere from tenth to fifth. The Toffees undoubtably have one of the most talented squads outside of the top four – it’s just a question of how quickly things will click under new boss Sorensen.
The season could potentially be more of a rebuilding one for Everton, before they kick on again next term.
Credit: 90min.com
