Women’s Super League 2022-23 previews No 5: Everton

Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong for Everton last season did. With just five wins all year, and two managers and an interim coach later, they finished 10th having flirted with relegation.

A strong 2020-21 campaign had provided a sense that Everton could be the club to break up the established top four. However, a tough series of losses to Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal saw Willie Kirk sacked after five games. Disaster followed with the appointment of Jean-Luc Vasseur who lasted just three months. Assistant Chris Roberts stepped up to steady the ship and ensure Everton stayed in the top division.

It is, therefore, difficult to know what to expect this year. For starters, they have a new manager in Brian Sørensen. The Dane is highly regarded but will need time to mould a much-changed squad, something his two predecessors were not afforded.

Everton have lost several players over the summer, including Danielle Turner and Simone Magill, who have been constants over the last decade. Claire Emslie, Kenza Dali and Anna Anvegård, Everton’s attacking core, have also departed.

Sørensen has recruited smartly, however. Speedy Dutch striker Katja Snoeijs has arrived from Bordeaux while Katrine Veje returns to the WSL from Rosengård. Equally, the arrival of the Danish Holmgaard twins, Sara and Karen, from Potsdam offers cause for optimism. Sara will head straight out on loan to Fortuna Hjørring but Karen is part of the first team set-up. Meanwhile, the highly-rated Manchester United goalkeeper Emily Ramsey has arrived on loan to fill the gap left by Sandy MacIver while Jess Park and Aggie Beever-Jones have also come in for the season, two of the most exciting young attacking talents in English football.

In