Before the beginning of the 2020/21 Barclays Women’s Super League, murmurs began to bubble away in the background that some big-name signings were shaping up to join the WSL. Fast-forward to the beginning of September and those rumblings erupted into the mainstream, revealing an array of United States Women National Team (USWNT) and European stars, adding a touch of sparkle to the English game. With big signings comes a new level of media attention, and all eyes have been on the WSL and the quality of talent in the league. With so much hype and anticipation around the new signings, lets take a look at their impact so far…
Chelsea: Pernille Harder
Arriving from European giants Wolfsburg back in September, Pernille Harder not only attracted media attention for her impressive goalscoring record, but also her world record price tag. The Danish international arrived at Chelsea with the fee believed to be in the region of £300,000, making her the most expensive female footballer.
At 28 years old, Pernille Harder has asserted herself both domestically and internationally. In just over three seasons with Wolfsburg, the 28-year-old scored 105 goals in 114 games; a goalscoring ability that she demonstrated at her previous club, Linköping’s, with 85 goals in 109 appearances. Her threat in front of goal has seen her become the recipient of many awards, most notably the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2019; the first player to receive the award for a second time.
With such a highly decorated trophy cabinet and expensive price-tag, it comes as no surprise that a high standard was expected from the Danish captain when she joined the WSL champions Chelsea. So far, Harder has made six appearances for the Blues in the league, scoring two goals and registering one assist. Of those six appearances, she has only started three times, highlighting the internal competition for places amongst Chelsea’s attack. Despite still settling into the team, we have seen glimpses of the quality that has earned her international recognition; her goal against Everton demonstrating her ability to conjure up a moment of magic in a period of relative calm. Having made a good start to life in the WSL, Chelsea fans will be hoping she can push on and assert herself as one of the best in the league.
Chelsea: Melanie Leupolz
The 26-year-old German midfielder, described by Emma Hayes as bringing a, “winning German mentality,” joined Chelsea from Bayern Munich after a period of six years with the German side. During that time, she captained the Frauen-Bundesliga club and won two league titles, as well as achieving international success with the German national side.
From her six appearances so far this season, it is evident why Emma Hayes opted to bring the German to London. Simply put, Chelsea look a better team with her orchestrating play from the middle of the pitch. Her ability to drop deeper to receive from the backline, her powerful runs forward, and her technical ability – epitomised by her deft touch to set up Bethany England’s opener against Everton – highlights her strong all-round play as a box-to-box midfielder. With one goal, one assist, eleven tackles, and fourteen interceptions and blocks, Leupolz’s hybridity between attack and defence has proved integral to Chelsea’s stability so far this season.
Tottenham: Alex Morgan
Media attention and Alex Morgan come as a pair joined firmly at the hip. The two-time World Cup Winner and star of the USA national side has attracted attention and accolades throughout her career. With an impressive 9.2 million followers on Instagram, in comparison with Tottenham women’s 374,000, she has certainly brought an added level of media attention to the women’s side.
But was the media attention surrounding her move to the WSL justified? In my opinion, it was not. No doubt she is a phenomenal player who evokes excitement, and her arrival is a credit to the increasing standard of the WSL, but this is not the Alex Morgan we know. After all, this is not the tea-sipping apparition that has become part of a defender’s nightmare. We must appreciate that this is an Alex Morgan who is searching for fitness, following the birth of her daughter in May. With just two appearances spanning sixty-six minutes and one shot on target, this is an Alex Morgan that needs time and patience to reach her previous levels. Although a fantastic addition to the WSL in terms of opening the English league to an American fanbase, we must be mindful of her unique position and therefore refrain from critiquing her too harshly.
Manchester City: Lucy Bronze
After winning three Champions League trophies in her three-year tenure with French side Lyon, Lucy Bronze returns to the WSL with a winning mentality and a taste of European success that she is eager to replicate.
There is no doubt that Lucy Bronze is a talented right-back, among the world’s best, and her nominations for the Ballon D’or cement that fact. However, the hype around her return has come with heightened scrutiny. Now, any mistake made is magnified and dissected. Her return to Manchester has been slightly underwhelming when compared with the remarkable athleticism and dazzling heights she has set in the past. That is not to say she has performed badly. Having made five appearances and registering one goal and two assists, Bronze has given City a much-needed balance between defence and attack down the right-hand side. She has shown her class, but she has also shown her human side – her mistake to set up Tobin Heath’s goal in the Manchester derby an example of that.
For a perfectionist like Bronze, her performances and those of her teams have been frustrating. Her reaction to Manchester City’s FA Cup win says everything we need to know. Visibly emotional, the defender removed herself from her teammates celebrations and appeared consumed by reflection. This moment of critique that occurred in the face of victory is a clear indication that she is not content with her, or her team’s current performance and is aware of the improvements needed if they are to compete domestically and in Europe.
Manchester City: Alex Greenwood
Alex Greenwood’s return to the WSL sparked a social media reaction that the defender would have been hoping to avoid. After previously representing Manchester United before her move to European powerhouse Lyon, the 27-year-old was given a less than cordial welcome back to the league courtesy of scorned United fans.
Despite this animosity, the defender has slotted in well into City’s backline, giving Gareth Taylor the option of utilising her as a either a centre-back alongside Steph Houghton, or a left-back. Having played five matches and registering one assist, the England international has performed consistently in the league without causing too much excitement. However, what will be a concern is City’s recent form. They now sit fifth in the WSL after seven games, a rather dismal start for a team with the quality to challenge at the top. For Greenwood, it will be interesting to see if she can use her experience in France to inspire this Manchester side.
Manchester City: Samantha Mewis
Samantha Mewis, the USWNT star, has been one of the standout signings. Coming to the English league from America, the midfielder has settled into her role and become a figure of consistency within the City midfield, making seven appearances in the league.
The 28-year-old has given City a dynamism in midfield with her physicality and excellent strength on the ball. The midfielder boasts one of the highest successful dribbles rates in the league with fourteen out of eighteen attempts, highlighting her prowess as an imposing, ball-carrying midfielder. With two goals already to her name, the American has certainly lived up to the expectations that surrounded her move to the WSL. Now, she will be hoping her consistent performances inspire those around her to reach similar heights and propel this City team back on track.
Manchester City: Rose Lavelle
Unlike her American counterpart Mewis, Lavelle has struggled to forge a place in Gareth Taylor’s side. The hype around her arrival stemmed from her impressive display on the international stage at the World Cup in France, where her quick footwork and finishing won plaudits and secured her the Bronze Ball.
In the WSL, Lavelle has only made four appearances, three of them coming as a substitute. Her lack of game-time and impact is telling of the slow start she has made to life in the WSL. Despite not seeing Lavelle at her best, her recent performance against the Netherlands on the international stage showed glimpses of the brilliance that attracted praise previously. Her opener against the Netherlands, a cleverly worked strike into the top corner on her 46th international appearance, demonstrates the quality she can produce. With the international break over, Lavelle will be hoping to take her international form into City’s next fixture and prove her credentials as one of the world’s best.
Manchester United: Tobin Heath
When Tobin Heath joined Manchester United alongside her international teammate, Christen Press, who would have thought the American duo’s shirts would outsell the Manchester United men? When you consider the calibre of Heath, this fact comes as no surprise.
So far Heath has demonstrated her winning mentality. Having whipped up enthusiasm for the Manchester derby with some interesting comments, the 32-year-old backed up her assertions with a sweetly struck strike to inspire a late comeback. With five appearances, two goals and two assists, the American has certainly hit the ground running in the WSL, and Casey Stoney will be pleased with the steely-determination and creativity she brings to the United side. With plenty of fixtures remaining, it will be interesting to see if she can continue to build on her momentum and keep Manchester United in top-spot.
Manchester United: Christen Press
With an impressive international career and a notable nine goals in her last ten games for the USA, Christen Press caused a stir when it was announced she would be joining the WSL.
This season, the forward has played five games and opened her account with a goal against West Ham, courtesy of a perfectly weighted cross. Despite the media attention surrounding her arrival, much like Lavelle with Mewis, Press has been less effective than her American counterpart Heath. Going forward, Press will be hoping to receive more game time and seize the opportunity to demonstrate her talent to the rest of the league.
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