The Women’s Super League has well and truly kicked off, and it’s safe to say it has not disappointed. As well as team performances, there’s been so many players that have shone in the first month of club football. Here’s some of the stand-out ballers in the WSL so far that you won’t want to miss.
Jenna Clark
Scottish centre-back Jenna Clark joined Liverpool from Glasgow City this summer. The new number 17 has seamlessly settled into life as a Red and has transformed their backline, bringing confidence and consistency to Liverpool’s defence. Her height and strength means she wins most duels and 1vs1’s. She has been pivotal in Liverpool’s positive start to the season, securing two clean sheets in three wins, one draw and one loss. Clark sits alongside Gemma Bonner as the Red’s centre-back pairing: the consistency of starting this same backline has really paid off so far. Being able to learn from such an established defender will only improve the 22-year-old.
Mia Fishel
22-year-old Mia Fishel signed with Chelsea from Tigres in Liga MX Femenil this summer. Fast and physical, the American striker made the perfect debut in the first game of the season. With Sam Kerr not fit, Fishel started up front for the Blues, bagging a goal against London rivals Spurs to beat them 2-1 at Stanford Bridge. Emma Hayes certainly seemed impressed by the newcomer, commenting that there’s still further for the young player to develop but she’s certainly an intelligent player and grew into the game well. Fishel has fitted into Chelsea quite seamlessly- it’s clear that she’s had a full pre-season with the Blues. While she’s unlikely to be preferred ahead of fully-fit Kerr, she can certainly make an impact as a substitute, whilst allowing more rotation in front-line of the squad.
Laia Alexandri
Laia Alexandri may have gone under the radar for suggested players of the season so far, but she’s definitely had a big role to play in Manchester City’s positive start. The Spanish defender is a vital part of City’s backline, helping them keep 3 clean sheets in 4 games so far, but also in an attacking sense. She assisted both goals in City’s first game of the season to secure a comfortable 2-0 win over West Ham and also firing home against Bristol City. Though only young, Alexandri is a leader at the back and a composed, consistent player whom it’s safe to say City’s backline would struggle without.
Martha Thomas
It came as no surprise to anyone that Martha Thomas was named October’s WSL player of the month. Joining Spurs from United in the summer, she’s turned from a bench player to a goalscoring machine, bagging 6 goals in 4 games for the lilywhites so far. Thomas replaces striker Beth England, who is currently recovering from hip surgery, and was a crucial reason for Tottenham’s survival in the league last season. Now, they have another prolific goal-scorer who plays with freedom, scoring one in every three shots she takes. In fact, Thomas has scored in every one of Spur’s opening four matches, plus bagging a hattrick against Aston Villa too. After limited game time at Manchester United, it’s nice to see Thomas playing week in week out with so much confidence.
Niamh Charles
Niamh Charles has really cemented her starting place in WSL champions Chelsea’s squad. Though she’s previously played as a left winger, she’s slotted her into the left-back position for the Blues. Charles’ defensive abilities have improved massively over the last few seasons – she’s a mature and intelligent defender. However, she’s got as big of a role to play in Chelsea’s attack. Charles creates so much space on that left hand-side, using her pace to drive the ball down the pitch and cross it in. In Chelsea’s first game of the season, she banked two assists to claim a 2-1 win against rivals Spurs, plus bagging a goal against Aston Villa. Charles’ hard work has certainly paid off, as she was awarded a starting position in the England squad and play a full 90 minutes at left back against Belgium in the Nation’s League.
Khiara Keating
19 year old Khiara Keating has definitely made her mark at Manchester City this season. Despite competing against experienced internationals Ellie Roebuck and Sandy Maciver for the goalkeeper spot, she’s taken this place in every game so far. And with three clean sheets in five games, Keating has proven exactly why she deserves to be starting. She was absolutely crucial in earning City a point in their first game against Chelsea where they went down to nine players, earning herself player of the match and deservedly so. Although City’s game against Arsenal was a tough one for the young keeper, saving Kim Little’s penalty simply proves why she’s in that starting XI. Her stand-out performances earnt Keating her first England call-up to the senior squad, where training alongside the likes of Mary Earps will no doubt develop her even further.
Elizabeth Terland
Brighton striker Elizabeth Terland has certainly been one to watch this season. The Norwegian striker has arguably been the Seagull’s most effective player, bagging six goals in all competitions so far. In their first game of the season, she brought home all three points after two first-half goals inside 15 minutes to claim a win 2-1 against Everton. With 11 goals in her 21 appearances so far, Terland has proven a constant threat against defences, and brings so much positivity and control to a squad that will be trying to avoid the relegation conversation this season. She’s a playmaker, able to keep the ball moving through tight spaces and take advantage of spaces left open by defences- exactly what Brighton need.
Melvine Malard
Melvine Malard joined Manchester United on deadline day on loan from Lyon, and she’s wasted no time making an impact at her new club. The French international has made five appearances in all competitions so far and has scored three goals, including United’s first every Champions League goal. Her impressive start for the Red Devils earned herself October’s player of the match. After the departure of forwards such as Martha Thomas, the technical 23 year old is just what United need. With the third most expected goals per 90 minutes in the WSL, Malard is certainly one to watch this season.
Lena Petermann
German striker Lena Petermann signed a two year deal for Leicester City this summer. Their new number nine has made an excellent start at life at Leicester, netting goals against Bristol City and Everton to help them win their first two games of the season. Currently sitting in seventh place in the WSL, Leicester are a completely different side to this time last season, when they looked destined to go down by Christmas. One reason for their transformation is for players such as Petermann- they are so much more clinical in front of goal. She brings the rest of the team confidence, allowing Leicester to play more through-balls knowing Petermann will be on the end.
Katie McCabe
Katie McCabe has been a pivotal reason for Arsenal picking up points. She was named their player of the match last season after taking on a bigger leadership role than expected due to Arsenal’s injury crisis, and has continued this role in the pitch this season. McCabe is a versatile player, able to play at full-back or on the wing, and it’s her attacking qualities that have been Arsenal’s driving force so far. McCabe scored an injury-time goal against Aston Villa, followed by Russo to claim take three points. The following week, she bagged two against Bristol City to claim another win for the Arsenal. It’s no wonder she was voted October’s player of the season by over 70% of Arsenal fans.
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