The highs, lows, and talking points in Everton Women’s 2023/24 campaign.

Megan Finnigan, the captain of the Everton Women’s squad, recently discussed her expectations for the second half of the WSL season and expressed her opinion that the best is still to come. The Blues have not had the start they had hoped for and will be further shaken by the news that Nathalie Bjorn has joined Chelsea as the current campaign enters its halfway point.

What have been the highs, lows, and talking points of Everton’s 2023–24 campaign, as they sit seventh in the standings and are not in the Women’s League Cup? Let’s take a deeper look: When playing the Neighbours across the field at Everton’s original home, the domination doesn’t seem to be waning.

Finnigan’s first-half goal was sufficient in what has to be the best of the season thus far.

Top four hurt continues.

Although they triumphed over Liverpool in October, it is the Reds that have made ground on the WSL elite. While Sorensen’s philosophy remains focused on ball retention, it has often contributed to the undoing against the Manchester clubs, as well as Chelsea and Arsenal.

Everton have again come up significantly short against the aforementioned sides with heavy defeats already sustained against City, United and the champions from West London.

The Blues have not always looked out of place against the league’s big guns, but squandered chances are usually ruthlessly punished.

Goals would be a fine thing.

The signing of Martina Piemonte was greeted with excitement. The Italian striker boasted an impressive scoring return in her native Italy and has shown glimmers of the centre forward the Blues need. But one goal in eight league appearances will be a record the 26-year-old will have to improve if the Toffees are to mark their mark this season. The former AC Milan star has had 14 shots this season though, so chances are being created.

What will be worrying for manager Brian Sorensen, however, is that central defender Finnigan currently leads Everton’s scoring charts with three goals, and only West Ham United are more goal shy in the WSL.

Big departures, injuries and retirements

Everton will be searching the market for reinforcements as Bjorn is now moving from Merseyside to West London. The departure of the Swedish player is significant, although maybe not as significant as that of Gabby George, who joined Manchester United in the summer. The adaptable defender established herself as a wing-back who looked just as comfortable in the middle when needed, making her maybe the Toffees’ player of the season the previous year.

Nicoline Sorensen also departed in December, however the Dane exchanged football for other efforts outside of the game by announcing her retirement at just 26.

Additionally, the team has suffered a number of injuries this season, including Emily Ramsey, who will likely need a lengthy period of recovery, and seasoned players Lucy Hope and Elise Stenevik.

Faith in youth, hope for the future.

Always a club that is happy to give youth a chance, this season has been no different. Sometimes necessary and unavoidable due to the injury situation, Sorensen has not been shy in handing his youngsters a chance, particularly in the cup fixtures. Names like Annie Wilding, and summer signing Karoline Olesen, are among a number of names to have gained minutes and experience in the first team and will be ones to watch in the future.

Long-term plan

Aside from seasoned players like Toni Duggan and Justine Vanhaevermaet, Everton is a youthful team that is developing. Although there is too much quality to be concerned about relegation, supporters will have to wait patiently as Sorensen sticks to his long-term strategy, which most likely calls for a mid-table finish.

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