by Ben Gilby (14/1/25)
Above: Clare Wheeler in possession during Everton’s Merseyside derby win over Liverpool in November. Photo: Emma Simpson / Everton FC.
Ahead of the WSL’s return from the Christmas break, Impetus’ Ben Gilby put questions to Everton and Australia midfielder Clare Wheeler in an EXCLUSIVE interview.
The New Year is a time for reflection and goal setting. Clare Wheeler looks back on the end of 2024 and ahead to the New Year seeing nothing but positive signs for both her club and country.
Everton went into the WSL’s Christmas break on the back of a superb 2-1 win over Manchester City at Walton Hall Park. Whilst there could be frustration at the team’s inability to ride that huge wave of confidence and momentum boost due to the league going on pause, Wheeler only sees good things.
“We just have to see the positives. We want to build on that momentum, but I think having the break in the middle of the season is a good thing. We take the positives out of that game taking it forward now for the rest of the season.”
The success over City was added to Everton’s earlier victory in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, and a draw at Arsenal which proves that the Toffies are capable of going toe-to-toe with the best. These outcomes were achieved despite a long injury list. The challenge for them in 2025, Wheeler feels, is to increase the team’s consistency as new faces become more used to their roles in the squad.
“So as much as we’d like to have more points than we have presently, we understand it’s been a challenging six months with injuries. We’ve had some new recruits come in and they’ve hit the ground running and everyone’s buzzing for the next six months. We need to take our opportunities and are now looking to build now going forward.”
Everton’s prospects were further boosted last week with the arrival of Hayley Ladd and Emma Watson from Manchester United. Wheeler is excited about the wider impact that these and potential other new signings will have on the team going forward.
“The new recruits will definitely help. Some of the injuries have been long-term. Having new people come in is important and it builds the competitiveness within the team as well. Also, the new recruits that we got in over the (UK) summer, it’s a really hard league to get used to, now they’ve been here for six months you can see they are a lot more confident in our style of play. As a group, we’re also gelling more.
“I want Everton to do well because this is a group that can do well. I want us to finish as high as possible and to do that I’m going to be competitive in training and in games.
“We can definitely do it, we can definitely climb (the table) and push the top four teams. We proved it against City and with the draw against Arsenal. We just need to be more consistent and do it week to week.”
In terms of what she wants to develop in her own game for the remainder of the WSL season, the midfielder is desperate for one thing in particular.
“I’d love a goal – I’m still looking for that goal to be honest! But having decent game time does build confidence. That comes from being in the league for my third season now. I have more confidence and I think you are now seeing that on the field.”
The Matilda is clear that one of the key reasons for her ever-increasing self-confidence is her head coach Brian Sørensen, The Dane has guided Wheeler for the past four seasons – the first year with Fortuna Hjørring and now on Merseyside.
“I’ve come a long way in the time I’ve been with him. His style of play is something that I identify with. We want to keep the ball, we want to play out (from the back), and I think its hard to get used to at the start. It’s pushed me.
“Playing in the WSL, there is no easy games. You go in each week knowing you need to perform. You’ve seen every team this year is connected to a Premier League men’s team and the investment you’ve seen – it’s competitive from first to last. It makes you such a better player.”
Wheeler’s ongoing growth has been reflected in her impressive performances on the international stage with Australia. Whilst she missed 2024’s final camp, which saw the Matildas face both Brazil and Chinese Taipei twice each with injury, the midfielder was part of the team that recorded a superb win in Germany at the end of October.
Under the interim leadership of Tom Sermanni, the Matildas are looking to evolve after a disappointing Olympics and develop with all eyes on the 2026 Asian Women’s Cup that Australia are hosting. The 27-year-old Everton star believes that things are heading in the right direction for her national side,
“It’s been really good to get to know Tom and his coaching style. He’s done really well. He understands the Australian football landscape and the players that we have. We had some tough fixtures. The camp I was in against Switzerland and Germany – to get that result against Germany was great.
“If you look at it in the Olympics and our goal (to perform there), we fell short and was hard to deal with. To then play Germany who medalled at the Olympics (winning bronze) and get a result, it really instilled a bit of belief there and assured ourselves that we can go toe to toe with the best.
“The ‘Never Say Die’ attitude is something that is engrained in all of us and I think it pretty much showed. It was a promising step in the right direction.”
Clare Wheeler exuded confidence about the months ahead for both Everton and Australia. You know she will do everything in her power to ensure it goes well for club and country.
(c) Impetus 2025.
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