The women’s team’s financial situation became more evident over the summer.
Sorensen said they turned down a preseason trip to Australia, not for financial reasons but for logistics. However, he admitted that it was “a gamble that we cannot afford.”
Everton had to sell Swedish midfielder Hanna Bennison to Juventus to raise much-needed funds.
They lost players to the Japanese market, whom Sorensen said he had scouted years earlier, because top clubs offered higher salaries.
Strict rules on non-EU players coming to the WSL can also be a barrier for clubs like Everton. Foreign players have to meet certain requirements to be able to play in England and this limits the talent pool, something that West Ham has also suffered from.
Sevilla duo Inma Gabarro and Toni Payne were among Everton’s marquee signings, while existing WSL players Honoka Hayashi, Melissa Lawley and Veatriki Sarri were seen as “low risk” options who did not need time to adapt.
Sorensen said during the summer transfer window that the club “can’t just go out and spend a lot of money, so we have to be super smart.”
In reality, the women’s team’s budget has not decreased since 2021, when former coach Willie Kirk was aiming for a top-three finish.
However, the market has become more expensive since then. Transfer fees are now common, while player salaries have increased.
Everton Women’s chief executive Alan McTavish, director of football Kevin Thelwell and Sorensen are already working on recruiting for January, but fans are growing impatient and want the lack of depth in the squad to be addressed.
“It is essential to invest immediately in recruiting. We have a ridiculously unbalanced team,” said supporter MacFarlane.
“The pressure on these players is enormous, especially on some of the younger players, who have to play out of position all over the field – this is simply not enough.”
MacFarlane also calls for the future development of the club’s Walton Hall Park stadium, which he says will help “grow the fan base and attract new supporters”.
