Five of our writers, Genevieve Henry, Kieran Yap, Emmanuel Faith, Aimee Logan, and Ben Gilby discuss what this season will look like in the Women’s Super League (27/9/23).
Above: Chelsea’s Australian superstar Sam Kerr – out for more trophies for both club and on a personal level this season. Photo: Women’s Super League.
Who do you think will be champions this season?
Genevieve Henry: Chelsea. Emma Hayes’ side have a recent history of success that’s hard to argue with. Chelsea have had a strong transfer window, bringing in Catarina Macario, Ashley Lawrence, and many other notable talents.
Kieran Yap: I agree with Evie. I can’t shake the feeling that Arsenal bundling out of the Champions League might give them a slight advantage, but Emma Hayes has been building a team specifically to compete on multiple fronts. I think Chelsea will win again, but it feels a bit like a two horse race right now.
Ben Gilby: I’m going Arsenal. Their Achilles heel for so long has been a lack of strength in depth to match Chelsea. Jonas Eidevall has been working away on that over the last year or so, and with Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Vivianne Miedema to return this looks a real strong side who will be thrilling to watch.
Emmanuel Faith: I know you were expecting Chelsea, I was too but on paper, Arsenal might nick the trophy this time around. After winning WSL four consecutive times, Chelsea might experience a slight fatigue while facing determined rigorous oppositions that might make the fifth time a major challenge.
Let’s not forget that, while Chelsea relishes the recent domestic dominance, Emma’s eyes is still on the golden prize- an European silverware, and if she has to make a call during busy schedules, she would rather keep her stars for the UWCL than have them play WSL.
Arsenal on the other hand is out of the UWCL and will have their full focus on a domestic clean sweep having gotten their hands on a trophy last season despite their injury woes. Their stars are coming back, their current stars aren’t relenting, and if there is any time to challenge for the trophy, it is now.
Aimee Logan: With no extra Champions League fixtures, and the return of star players from injury, I think Arsenal could be real title winners this season. The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United will have additional fixtures to focus on around the WSL games and Arsenal will have more time to prepare for these.
Arsenal are also riding on massive fan interaction as they are aiming to sell out the Emirates multiple times in the season. Having fans backing your performance is significant to success.
Who do you think will round out the top three?
Kieran: Aston Villa and Arsenal. I think Villa are still building and are probably unlikely to win the title, but there’s something special happening there, and I’m still not sure what to make of either Manchester club.
Emmanuel: On paper, ceteris paribus, there is no world where Chelsea finishes outside the top-two position. Emma Hayes is a serial winner- she has done her recruitments early, handpicking stars across the continent to fit into her perfect sketch. If Chelsea by chance misses out on the trophy, you can be sure that it will be a slight nick, and they won’t relinquish the second position to any competitor no matter the intensity.
The red side of Manchester had an amazing run last season, pushing Chelsea to the very end. Mary Earps heroics, Ona Batlle’s attacking contributions from the defence, and having goal-scorers across the pitch including Russo and Galton who scored 10 goals a-piece ensured they gave the blue army a run for their experience however they might not have it easy this time around.
While they made some notable signings including the FIFA WWC Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa, Arsenal and Chelsea will be quite formidable for them to overtake, especially if they somehow leapfrog PSG in their upcoming double-head UWCL qualifications round.
Aimee: Chelsea have been a dominant side in the WSL for a while now, but I’ve put them in second place just because of the loss of their captain Magdalena Erickson, along with star player Pernille Harder, leaves a big whole in their squad. Despite this, they have many young talented players in their team who look to progress Chelsea for the future.
Aston Villa might be a shock for some but their performances at the end of last season and the incredible signings that Carla Ward has made over summer means her side is looking very strong coming into the new season. I think they are going to be a big threat in the WSL, significantly to sides like Manchester United who lost many of their players this window, and Manchester City who missed out on Champions League spots this previous season.
Ben: Chelsea and, if they can keep everyone fit and firing, potentially Aston Villa. Carla Ward has continued her addition of talent and I’m really excited to see what they can do. If the injuries strike, the depth is not there which could open the door for Manchester City.
Genevieve: Arsenal and Aston Villa. Another side with good summer signings, Jonas Eidevall’s side will surely be a tough side to beat. They could achieve more if they weren’t plagued with injuries.
Building on last year’s success, this side has got the chemistry and the players to really challenge top teams. Both Manchester teams have lost too many players to succeed this year, whereas Villa are only growing in confidence.
Which teams are you looking out for, who are the underdogs?
Emmanuel: Manchester City had a silent transfer window; however, they cannot be written off the top three slots. They have been consistent over the last two seasons, despite faltering in UWCL qualifiers and losing their European spot to Arsenal on goal difference last season. They have the squad to compete, they are not playing European football and might surprise the top three teams if given the chance to.
Genevieve: Brighton and Hove Albion. Melissa Phillips has brought in some incredible players, especially in the trio from Sydney FC (Mackenzie Hawkesby, Charlize Rule, and Madison Haley), and will expect to push other top competitors.
Ben: I agree with Evie. If all their Sydney signings can find their WSL feet there could be a real challenge laid down by Brighton and Hove Albion this season.
Kieran: I’m looking forward to seeing what Leicester City can do with a more settled squad, the addition of Janice Cayman, and having come through the experience of a relegation battle.
Aimee: Leicester City struggled to get going last season and didn’t manage to get high up the table. They just escaped relegation last year after they had some good performances at the end of the season, but they need to be playing football like that throughout this season to not be at risk of relegation.
I think Manchester City could be hungry this season to fight more for the higher spots in the table. I feel like they are less of an ‘underdog’ because its evident that the side has strong international names in the squad, but missing out on the top three should have made them more eager to push this year.
They have also just signed Jill Roord, who is back in the WSL, and this signing has been heavily focused on rather than the development of players already at the club. It fair to say they have a talented side; it will just be interesting where they place in the top 5.
Who will be facing relegation this season?
Genevieve: The newly promoted Bristol City has not made strides similar to even the most struggling WSL sides and they can expect to fall behind. With a relatively inexperienced team, it would be hard to make a dent in the league.
Emmanuel: This is hard to predict but Bristol City and Leicester City will have to fight hard to stay in the WSL.
Ben: Bristol City. I think Leicester will have a more consistent season. Spurs, West Ham and possibly Liverpool will be around the bottom four, but on paper those three have more to challenge opponents than Bristol City. It will come down to the mini league of results between those four teams.
Kieran: Bristol City. I genuinely hope not, but it is a hard league to survive in, especially without a bigger men’s club backing you these days.
Onto more fun topics. Who will win the Golden Boot?
Aimee: It goes without saying that Rachel Daly is a clinical goal scorer. 22 goals in 22 games last season earned her the Golden Boot and if she gets the same game time and plays the same impressive football she did last season, there’s no reason she won’t get that accolade again.
Genevieve: Bunny Shaw. The Jamaican powerhouse came so close for Manchester City last season, only losing out to Rachel Daly at the very end of the season. After a historical World Cup campaign with her country, Shaw will come into the season inspired.
Kieran: It’s hard to bet against Sam Kerr, but I think Alessia Russo has the potential for a big season at Arsenal. She is in good form for her country and although she was one of the bigger profile transfers of the season, she will have lots of help in that attack with Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius, and probably Meidema and Mead. Her biggest challenger will be Rachel Daly.
Ben: How can I possibly go against Sam Kerr. Western Australian loyalty demands she gets my vote!
Emmanuel: Rachel Daly won the Golden Boot last season, deservedly so but Kerr’s drought was caused by a lot of factors including the continual rotation of the attackers around her and injuries to different players at diverse stages of the season. With Kirby back to fitness, James exploring new strides and Reiten picking up from where she left last season, it will be hard to stop Kerr from her galore of goals.
At the other end, which Goalkeepers will be the standouts?
Genevieve: Mackenzie Arnold. Although she may not record the most clean sheets, the superb West Ham United stopper will certainly keep her side in it. After a stunning home World Cup, Arnold has confidence on her side for the first time in a long time.
Kieran: The Matildas fan in me is split between Macca and Teagan Micah at Liverpool. Arnold has the better record in this league, so I’m going to agree with Evie again.
Ben: Can’t wait to see how Teagan Micah goes at Liverpool. Chelsea’s pair of Musovic and Berger are a class apart. Then throw in the best two keepers from the World Cup in Mackenzie Arnold and Mary Earps and you have so much to look forward to.
Emmanuel: Mary Earps. There is no need for explanation, is there? I could have easily slotted in Ann Katrin-Berger or Zecira Musovic but the fact that they will both be heavily rotated leaves that slot to the FIFA World Cup golden glove winner who is well poised to have another record-breaking season in the WSL.
Aimee: For club and country, Earps is the top level of goalkeeper in the women’s game. She was vital to Manchester United’s success last season and is still in top form. Even though there is an ongoing debate on what club she is going to end up at, it’s clear she’s going to still have incredible performances throughout the season.
Who are your players to watch?
Kieran: I am really looking forward to seeing what Ebony Salmon can do back in this league. I thought she was excellent at Bristol City before moving to the NWSL, and was really hoping an A-League Women’s team could entice her to come out to Australia. She can be a difference-maker in any game in the same way Kerr is for Chelsea.
Aimee: She is a part of manager Carla Ward’s process to get to the top end of the league. Salmon has had senior caps for the Lionesses and scored several impressive goals whilst playing for Houston Dash. Last season, Carla Ward also signed Rachel Daly from Houston Dash and if Salmon has the impact that Daly had, Villa are going to have another impressive season.
Kieran: Mackenzie Hawkesby leaves Australia as one of the best midfielders in the domestic league. She can play almost any role in midfield or attack and is as good a tackler as she is a finisher. Her style of player is almost an old-school English midfield player. She’ll be popular at Brighton.
Mary Fowler was one of the best players at the World Cup and has had limited game time so far at Manchester City. I’m eager to see what she can do in her second season.
Ben: It’s all about Kyra Cooney-Cross. As a site, we’ve been heroing her for our entire four-year history and now at the age of 21, she has her big move to Arsenal. Breaking into the team and staying there will be the first challenge, but there’s nothing she cannot do.
Emmanuel: Melvin Malard arrives in the WSL having a lot to prove. Talent isn’t her problem, output is. Having been overlooked by the new French coach, Herve Renard, Malard will be looking to put up a display so impressive that every stakeholder will look forward to having her back on their team.
Always overlooked, always omitted, Erin Cuthbert is one of the best and most versatile midfielders in the WSL right now. She can play in a double-four, sit as a holding midfielder, and even play upfront as an attacking midfielder when required. Despite the newest additions to the team, Cuthbert versatility and work-rate stands her out and she’d always be in Emma Hayes’ good book when it comes to playing time.
Dear journalists, get your quill ready, it’s about to be another Cuthbert show
Moroccan star Roselle Ayane has struggled so far at Tottenham having just three goals in 17 appearances last season. Coming back from an impressive World Cup, Bethany England’s absence means she can play in her preferred front two alongside the Finnish striker, Eveliina Summanen. This might finally be the season Ayane steps on the gas and begin to hit her mark.
Genevieve: Kyra Cooney-Cross has stirred up excitement for Arsenal fans and she’s sure to deliver some excellent performances this season.
The midfield magician Catarina Macario is coming off of a long injury hiatus and will want to prove herself at Chelsea and get back into contention for the US Women’s National Team.
Brighton and Hove Albion have picked up an experienced, versatile player in the Portuguese star Tatiana Pinto and she will surely propel them to great heights.
Aimee: Kyra Cooney-Cross signed for Arsenal right at the end of the transfer window and it’s fair to say, Arsenal fans are excited about this transfer after her impressive performances in the summer. The young talent is making her debut in the WSL this season and it’s exciting to see how she performs with the rest of the talented Arsenal squad.
Another player who has signed for Aston Villa is the Dutch number one keeper. Daphne van Domselaar had countless impressive performances in major tournaments for the last couple of years for the Netherlands, and her performance against the Lionesses denied them of victory. Following Hannah Hampton’s departure from the club, she seems a fit replacement.
What are your overall expectations for the WSL season?
Genevieve: This season is going to be bursting with competition like never before. Traditionally lower table teams are investing and stacking up on talent. Many teams will be pushing for a spot in the top three. This should be a fun season.
Kieran: Even though I think the title will be down to two teams, the league is becoming more competitive each year. Every team has somebody worth getting up early to watch, so I’m just excited for things to kick off.
Ben: Potentially the most competitive battle between a top four or five to date – albeit with Arsenal and Chelsea eventually clear of Villa and the Manchester pair. If Bristol City can pick up points at home then it could be interesting at the bottom too.
Emmanuel: The competition is getting stiffer and more exciting by the way- the last two leagues have been won with the slimmest of margins. While every match is important, the matches to watch out for will be the double-headers within the top-4 teams. While a lot of attention is not being paid to Manchester City, a front-three of Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, and Khadija Shaw can cause havoc to any defense at the moment if given the right balls. Katie McCabe is scoring Olimpicos, Frida Maanum is scoring screamers, Beth is almost back and Viv has left the screen to touch the grass.
Will Arsenal be able to stop Chelsea winning streak or will the Blues extend their dominance? Only time will tell.
Aimee: I think this season is going to be one of the most competitive seasons yet with many sides developing their squads and signing new talents over the summer. It also looks to be the biggest WSL season ever with many teams looking to sell out big stadiums and get loads of fans to their matches. I think that the top and bottom of the table will be full of competition and ultimately the relegation and the title battle could go right to the last day.
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