HOPE. Everton strive to break from their norm.

With Scott Phelan at the helm, key players returning from injury, and some exciting incoming transfers and loans, could Everton break into the top half of the WSL this season?

Georgia Hamblett chews over the Toffees’ chances, and looks at the qualities at the heart of the team that give their fans hope.

We often think of consistency as a good thing in sport, but for Everton fans, a break from the norm – in the right direction – would certainly be welcome. Everton finished the 2025-26 WSL in 8th, which is where they’ve found themselves in three consecutive seasons since 2023-24, with pretty much identical points each time round.

The Toffees had their best ever result in 2021, finishing 5th with 32 points, but since things appear to have slipped and even gone backwards. Will this be the season Everton fans get what they’re hoping for, now they’ve got used to playing in their permanent home at Goodison Park?

ACL Agony

Although Everton finished last season in a familiar 8th place, it’s worth mentioning that there were some incredible performances, especially considering the wave of ACL injuries that affected the squad. Captain Megan Finnigan was out of action for the entire season, following an ACL injury in January 2025, and teammates Aurora Galli, Karen Holmgaard and Imma Gabarro only played part of the season due their own ACL issues.

There was also a hamstring injury for Katja Snoeijls, concussion for Kelly Gago and an early season ankle niggle for Maz Pacheco. All of these meant that the Toffees weren’t able to keep their strongest squad together for the whole season, which arguably makes their 8th place finish somewhat remarkable, and leaves us asking what may be possible if all players are fighting fit.

Perhaps their 1-0 win away at Kingsmeadow, which ended Chelsea’s extraordinary 34-game unbeaten WSL run, is a taster of what we might see more of from Everton this season. Or their semi-final appearance in the World Sevens in May? There are definitely glimmers of hope in the Everton team, but will they turn into results?

Turning the Tables?

Everton started the 2025-26 season under Brian Sørensen. He had been in charge since July 2022. Mid-season, in February 2026, they parted company with Sørensen, when they stood in 9th place in the WSL, with only three wins out of 14 league games leaving little doubt as to why.

Scott Phelan (below, centre), previously Everton Under-18s coach, took over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, and has since been appointed as permanent head coach. And there is no denying that they had better results under Phelan than Sørensen.

Phelan oversaw four wins compared to Sørensen’s three in almost half the number of games. The real standout statistic, however, is the points per game when comparing the two coaches. Under Sørensen, last season Everton averaged 0.79 points per game, and under Phelan 1.50. What could they achieve if they play at this level throughout the whole season?

Heart of Everton

When looking at the core of the Everton team, thoughts immediately go to Courtney Brosnan (above, left). Ireland’s first choice keeper has been with Everton since 2021, and had 16 WSL appearances, 4 clean sheets and 49 saves last season. There’s little doubt that Brosnan will be making frequent appearances in the coming season. But with Canada international Rylee Foster-Inman returning to Everton from Halifax Tides in the Northern Super League, Brosnan may be under more pressure than last season for starts in goal.

The next player who comes to mind is Ruby Mace (above, right). The 22-year-old joined from Leicester City last season, and with 21 WSL appearances and 20 starts, was one of the most utilised players. The England international is typically a roving midfielder, but perhaps incredibly, also plays centre-back and in defensive midfield.

When we chatted to Mace earlier this year, she said: “I started off in midfield and unfortunately, we had injuries, so I’ve had to move into the backline. I’ve always said that if I can fit in and help my team become better, then I want to just give my all to the team no matter what position I play in.” With captain Megan Finnigan returning and Naomi Layzell arriving on loan, could Mace move higher up the pitch this season?

Everton also have a great bunch of Japanese players, most notably Honoka Hayashi. The Japan International made 19 WSL appearances last season, and was Everton’s joint-top WSL scorer with four goals, one of which was that historic strike against Chelsea last December (below, right). Has she got more winning goals like this up her sleeve for 2026-27?

Talking Transfers

Everton have lost some decent players. Toni Payne left for Inter Millan when her contract expired, and is undoubtedly a big loss up front. Kelly Gago was joint-top WSL scorer with Hayashi and Vignola, but moved to West Ham for a club-record fee received by Everton. Then there’s Martina Fernández, a massive loss where defence is concerned, but also consistency. Fernández was the only Toffees player to start all 22 WSL fixtures last season, and even more incredibly, she played every single minute of every game. It’s no wonder Barcelona activated her buy-back clause.

So, who’s replacing them? An influx of players from Leicester City, it seems. Noémie Mouchon, Hannah Cain and Jutta Rantala are all swapping one blue kit for another. Although her last season was disrupted by injury, looking further back, Rantala has shown she can contribute her fair share of goals and assists. Can she be a top goalscorer in this new Everton team?

Hannah Blundell spent much of last season on loan with the Toffees from Man United, and has now made the move permanent. Which will come as no surprise to those who witnessed her act this out at the World Sevens, by emerging from a tiny coffin, then ripping off a United shirt to reveal an Everton one underneath. And, no, I still can’t believe this actually happened.

In more conventional style, the highly-rated Holly McNamara moves to Everton from Melbourne City, bringing with her pace and attacking creativity. The 23-year-old appears to have bags of potential, and gives Phelan another genuine threat in the final third.

Naomi Layzell is on loan from Manchester City, and another youngster added to the team. The England U-23 centre-back may be used to switch up the team strategy, potentially forming a good partnership with Finnigan and allowing Mace to play further forward. Only time will tell.

New Shape

With seven new players joining the squad this summer, Phelan is significantly reshaping the team. But with several having already played together – looking particularly at the ex-Leicester players – it’s not unreasonable to assume the new signings may gel quickly with the rest of the squad.

As Ruby Mace puts it: “hopefully the future brings good things, and we can continue to fight our way up the table.”

Everton’s first match of the 2026-27 WSL is away at Crystal Palace on Sunday 6th September 2026. Will this be the year Everton once again finish in the top half of the table? Fans certainly hope so.

Photos: Helen M Jerome