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WSL Preview: Can anyone catch Chelsea this season?
Emma Hayes' ladies are looking in a good shape to defend their WSL title after strengthen their squad with Birmingham City's Karen Carney. Can Manchester City Women stop them this season?
“This promises to be the most intriguing season yet and hopes are high for another year of great progress.” And who are we to argue with FA chief executive Martin Glenn, speaking before the start of the 2016 FA Women’s Super League campaign.
For the past two years, the WSL winners have had to wait until the final day to be crowned champions and as the chasing pack strengthen their squads ahead of the March 23 kick-off, there’s no reason this season will be any different.
Chelsea Ladies, led by Emma Hayes, dominated the field last year. Before the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup the Blues were unbeaten going into the break and it looked like they would run away with the title.
Only a spirited run from Manchester City kept it close, but they couldn’t stop the Londoners securing a league and cup double.
A huge part of their success was the unstoppable quartet of attacking options that Hayes unleashed after the break. South Korean Ji So-yun is a magician on the ball and combined with the direct running and skill of Eni Aluko, Fran Kirby and Gemma Davison, they were breath-taking on the counter.
In the winter, Hayes added Birmingham City’s Karen Carney to her squad, giving the champions another option in attack. Four England internationals and the 2015 PFA Player of the Year…they will take some stopping.
Going into their third year, Manchester City Women will be Chelsea’s main contenders. After finishing second last season, they will be looking to take the next step and lift their first WSL title.
They opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Liverpool in the SSE FA Cup on Saturday and goal-scorer Georgia Stanway told Yahoo that confidence in the group is high at the moment:
“Hopefully we can maintain what we are doing and take each game as it comes and obviously continue the winning streak.”
“I think right now we are able to take on anyone. With the group of girls that we’ve got and the physical shape that we are in, we’ve got the capacity to do what we want to do and take on whoever comes next.”
It was in the opening game against Birmingham City last season where Nick Cushing’s side lost valuable points, a positive start on Wednesday at home against Notts County will be crucial.
One issue surrounding their title challenge could be their relatively small squad. In signing Swedish international Kosovare Asllani, City have opted to rely on quality not quantity, but with a number of injuries already taking its toll – including England international Izzy Christiansen – that decision could go against them.
Last year, Arsenal Ladies boss Pedro Martinez Losa bemoaned injury to key players in derailing their assault on the title. In order to combat that for the new campaign, the Gunners boss has been bold in the transfer market.
Fara Williams joins from Liverpool – England’s all-time cap leader provides experience and quality from deep in the midfield. She has been joined by internationals Asisat Oshoala, Danielle van de Donk and Josephine Henning as England’s most successful club side looks to return to the top of the ladder.
It will not be easy, but backed by their new dedicated facilities at the London Colney training ground, the club are again in the running for a place in the top two – which would secure Champions League football in 2017.
Below Arsenal’s challenge, the North London club will have to keep one eye over their shoulder at the chasing pack. Liverpool, Notts County and Sunderland will all fancy their chances at pushing up the table, and although second may be out of their reach, it doesn’t mean they can’t play a huge role this season.
New Reds boss Scott Rogers has brought in nine new signings, all with international experience. Change was needed after they finished second bottom, and Rogers told Yahoo that he knows the results won’t be instant:
"We always said that with the level of player we have brought in that we would compete, it's just going to take a little bit of time.
Liverpool completed a tour to South Africa as part of their preseason preparations and it’s something that England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain thinks will bode them well for the campaign ahead:
“You are living in each other's pockets and it's nice to experience a new environment with different people and it gave us a good chance to bond.”
After reaching two cup finals in 2015, coming out empty-handed was a tough blow for Notts County to take, but Rick Passmore’s side have strengthened and go into the new campaign optimistic that they can build on that success.
Adding the experience of Rachel Yankey from Arsenal - with over 120 caps for England and nine league titles under her belt - she could be a key loan signing. Angharad James from Bristol City and Chelsea Weston from Birmingham are quality additions and will hopefully replace the talented players that have left Meadow Lane.
Last season, Sunderland Ladies, led by Carlton Fairweather, were one of the best stories of the WSL. Newly promoted, it was expected they would struggle to stay in the division, but they defied all the odds and were even title contenders going into the mid-season break.
The 12 goals from WSL top scorer Beth Mead were a huge reason for their success and with the signings of Krystal Johnson from Manchester City and Liverpool’s Lucy Staniforth, they will be hoping to provide the local girl with more ammunition this season.
Doncaster Belles have long been one of the pioneering clubs in women’s football and now they are back where they belong. Not content with just winning their place in WSL1, Director Carl Lygo launched ‘Project Phoenix’ – dedicated to growing the women’s game in the region.
“We are building a long-term legacy for women’s football in South Yorkshire which will ensure that the Belles can more than compete at the highest level. It will be a community resource for the development of grassroots women’s football and coaches as well as supporting the elite game.”
Seven signings followed, adding Liverpool’s Becky Easton, Katrin Omarsdottir and Natasha Dowie, plus Arsenal loanee Carla Humphrey. Dowie will join the attack with WSL2 top scorer Courtney Sweetman-Kirk – the duo scored a combined 39 goals in all competitions last season and should make the Belles a force to be reckoned with in the WSL.
Down at the bottom end, both Birmingham City and Reading Ladies will likely fight out a tough relegation battle. One side will drop down, with two WSL2 sides coming up to form a 10-team league for 2017.
Losing Carney was a huge, but not unexpected blow to David Parker’s side. However, they have managed to keep Josianne Potter and Jade Moore – both represented England at the World Cup and will be a vital part of their survival.
It’s difficult to see where, the team that flirted with relegation last term has improve, especially in front of goal, but holding Arsenal to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes on Sunday showed they are up for the fight. Losing on penalties is always a blow, but could be the spark that ignites their season.
Kelly Chambers’ Reading have enjoyed a quiet, low-key winter. A number of smart signings, including England international goalkeeper Mary Earps gives them hope. It was always going to be a tough season, but if they can take a note out of Sunderland’s book, nothing is impossible for the Berkshire club.
The season is made up of just 16 fixtures, making each game extremely important. A slow start or a bad run of form can end any hopes of glory. Surprise results can happen all over the country, and with teams looking stronger than ever, both on and off the pitch, it’s hard not to believe this is going to be the best WSL season to date.
