Guardian writers' predicted place: eighth (NB: this isn't essentially Tom Garry's prediction however the common of our writers' ideas)
Final season's place: eighth
Prospects
Everton are coming into the season with a reasonably unfamiliar sense of optimism. It marks a pointy distinction from the temper 12 months in the past and a troubled first half of the final marketing campaign, when their threadbare squad was stretched, their severe damage listing was mounting and the broader membership was ready agonisingly for information of a takeover.
Amid that uncertainty and what was – on the time – a low finances, some had been tipping Everton for relegation and the group needed to wait till 17 November for his or her first league victory. However as soon as they'd received that Merseyside derby their confidence soared and the morale-boosting acquisition of the membership by The Friedkin Group not solely gave the gamers a raise however ensured there have been funds to spend in January, and so they loved a much-improved second half of the season to complete a snug 14 factors away from the relegation zone in a decent eighth place.
Everton have strengthened their squad markedly this summer season with some eye-catching signings, not least the arrival of three Japan internationals – the ahead Yuka Momiki, full-back Hikaru Kitagawa and centre-back Rion Ishikawa – and their followers will probably be wanting ahead to welcoming again some longer-term knee-injury absentees from final season, such because the Spain ahead Inma Gabarro, who has been in spectacular kind throughout pre-season after lacking virtually all of final time period with an anterior cruciate ligament damage.
No one ought to be getting too carried away – Everton haven't abruptly develop into a group who will problem for the league – however equally there isn't any cause for the membership to concern the drop. A top-half end is a sensible purpose and they'll actually wish to enhance on final season.
The supervisor
Brian Sørensen, the second-longest-serving supervisor within the division behind Manchester United's Marc Skinner, has been in cost because the summer season of 2022 and is coming into his fourth season. In April he signed a brand new deal till 2027. The Dane spent giant components of final season wanting totally dejected about Everton's damage issues however he has a more healthy squad and can absolutely have loved the group's pre-season journey to his homeland. Sørensen is a comparatively quiet, household man with a very good repute for his type of soccer and will probably be attention-grabbing to see what he can obtain with higher assets.
Off-field image
The Friedkin Group has reinvigorated the temper across the ladies's group and there was a major uplift within the variety of off-field employees. The most important change, nonetheless, got here with the historic transfer to make Goodison Park the ladies's group's new house. That not solely ensured the 133-year-old floor was saved however dramatically improves the ladies's group's matchday services in contrast with their former base at Walton Corridor Park, which had the league's smallest capability at simply over 2,000.
Star signing
There may be lots of pleasure in regards to the Spain youth worldwide winger Ornella Vignola, who has arrived from Granada. The previous Barcelona teen caught Everton's eye as a result of she likes to take defenders on and her direct working ought to supply the membership's assault a brand new dimension. She has loads of expertise for a 20-year-old, together with taking part in within the Champions League, and was a part of the Spain squad that received the Beneath-20 World Cup alongside Gabarro in 2022. Everton's mortgage acquisition of Katie Robinson from Aston Villa will give them one other skilful possibility in large areas.
Stepping up
Almost 18 months in the past Issy Hobson grabbed the headlines by changing into the WSL's youngest goalscorer on the age of 16 with a last-gasp equaliser in opposition to Arsenal. The defender, now 17, gained worthwhile expertise within the second tier throughout a mortgage with Sheffield United final time period and will probably be intriguing to see how a lot the England youth worldwide can push on this season and the way rather more first-team publicity she will achieve. There are additionally excessive hopes for Everton's younger participant of final season, Martina Fernández, who made her change from Barcelona everlasting this summer season after a mortgage.
It was a very good summer season for …
The Everton winger Toni Payne was a part of the Nigeria facet that triumphed in Morocco by successful the Ladies's Africa Cup of Nations title, extending their report because the continent's most profitable group with their tenth title, and their first in seven years. Payne obtained a rapturous reception from her club-mates when she returned for pre-season after her nation's 3-2 victory over the hosts within the remaining. The 30-year-old appeared in all 22 of Everton's league fixtures final time period and will probably be a key participant againwith her tempo and powerful ball management.
Fundamental initiative to draw extra followers
In addition to making Goodison Park their foremost house floor, Everton's ladies are taking part in a fixture on the membership's new Hill Dickinson Stadium on the banks of the River Mersey. They'll host Manchester United on the 52,000-capacity venue on 12 October, hoping to draw extra followers to assist the ladies's facet. They're additionally trying to spice up the area's grassroots prospects by letting out their former house, Walton Corridor Park, to the third-tier membership Liverpool Feds.
