Everton enter the season with renewed optimism after a troubled first half of last campaign when a threadbare squad, mounting injuries and takeover uncertainty left the club exposed. The team secured its first league win on 17 November, and a Merseyside derby victory boosted confidence. The Friedkin Group takeover provided funds for January signings and helped Everton recover to finish comfortably 14 points above relegation in eighth place. The club has strengthened markedly in summer, signing three Japan internationals — Yuka Momiki, Hikaru Kitagawa and Rion Ishikawa — and expects the return of long-term knee-injury absentees such as Inma Gabarro.
Amid that uncertainty and what was at the time a low budget, some were tipping Everton for relegation and the team had to wait until 17 November for their first league victory. But once they had won that Merseyside derby their confidence soared and the morale-boosting acquisition of the club by The Friedkin Group not only gave the players a lift but ensured there were funds to spend in January,
Everton have strengthened their squad markedly this summer with some eye-catching signings, not least the arrival of three Japan internationals the forward Yuka Momiki, full-back Hikaru Kitagawa and centre-back Rion Ishikawa and their fans will be looking forward to welcoming back some longer-term knee-injury absentees from last season, such as the Spain forward Inma Gabarro, who has been in impressive form during pre-season after missing almost all of last term with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
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