Five Things to Expect from the WSL Season
As the Women’s Super League finally gets underway this Sunday (1st October), we look ahead to the 2023/24 season outlining five things you can expect from the upcoming action.
With Chelsea hunting down their fifth WSL title in a row, more games than ever in the main club stadiums and women’s domestic football finally returning to English soil after a thrilling World Cup, the season is shaping up to provide ground-breaking moments yet again.
What exactly, then, can you look out for as top-flight women’s football returns this weekend?
Manchester City to challenge Chelsea?
Whilst Chelsea have clearly dominated the honours in recent years, it has not been without competition. In the past four seasons, the west London side have not won the title with a margin greater than two points from their closest rivals. Could this be the season they lose their crown?
Recently, Manchester United and Arsenal have come closest to toppling the Blues from their throne, yet questions linger over both.
Manchester United had a standout season last time out but could find themselves juggling Champions League football with the pressures of a domestic season for the first time in their history.
Add to this a completely revamped squad, with the significant losses of Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle as part of 17 permanent outgoings this summer, and United’s task looks more daunting still.
In north London, Arsenal have looked far from settled as they approach kick-off at the Emirates on Sunday. Their Champions League endeavours took an early curtain call as they bowed out on penalties in a shock loss to Paris FC.
Still struggling with a number of key players out with injuries, the Gunners will need to make a sharp turnaround in form if they are to push Chelsea this season.
Manchester City, on the other hand, approach the WSL following a tranquil transfer window and with no prospect of Champions League football to juggle alongside domestic football.
Whilst Gareth Taylor has faced his critics, City have added Jill Roord to their ranks and boast a front three of Chloe Kelly, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. A front three with pre-established chemistry and no worries of failing to settle.
Could a lack of Champions League and transfer activity offer the Sky Blues a chance to lift the WSL trophy for the first time since 2016?
A fierce race for the Champions League
Just as there is a growing number of names floating around the title debate, naturally competition for the three coveted Champions League spots becomes fiercer each season.
With Arsenal only qualifying ahead of Manchester City on goal difference last season, you can be sure the current top four will all be vying for contention once more this time out.
But just as Manchester United announced themselves as serious contenders by achieving qualification last season, just down the M6, Aston Villa are threatening to follow in their footsteps.
The Villains had something of a breakthrough season last year, finishing fifth and taking points off Arsenal and Manchester City. WSL top scorer Rachel Daly proved an inspired addition and manager, Carla Ward, has only continued to strengthen this summer.
Securing the permanent services of players like Kirsty Hanson and Anna Patten show their intent to compete whilst astute additions such as Ebony Salmon and Daphne van Domselaar could just take them within reach of the Champions League.
Breakthrough season for World Cup stars
The World Cup allows a stage for up-and-coming talent to shine, and this summer proved no different. A field day for scouts and agents alike, there was no shortage of World Cup deals in the WSL that will be worth keep an eye on throughout the season.
Miyazawa completed her moved to Manchester United off the back of a Golden Boot-winning World Cup campaign. Whilst she does not normally feature so regularly amongst the goalscorers, United will be hoping her talent can bolster their attacking threat.
The Japan team were also the subject of interest from West Ham United who, after an underwhelming summer of business, made a late swoop for Riko Ueki. The Japanese forward was a persistent threat during the World Cup, even scoring against eventual winners, Spain.
Another team taking full advantage of the scouting opportunities out in Australia and New Zealand were title-contenders, Arsenal. They have secured the services of youngsters Kyra Cooney-Cross and Laia Codina from Australia and Spain respectively.
Whilst neither is expected to secure a starting spot at Arsenal on arrival, they will certainly have opportunities to shine having impressed as starters in the World Cup.
Bigger and better crowds
As women’s football continues its unerring upwards trajectory, this season will once more see milestones broken in the number of games scheduled to be played at clubs’ main stadiums.
With teams like Arsenal regularly reaching capacity on their traditional ground at Meadow Park, there has been increased impetus for use of the bigger stadiums across the league.
Bigger stadiums mean greater accessibility, greater marketing, greater attraction and overall, more fans.
On the opening weekend alone, Arsenal will host Liverpool at the Emirates stadium, Aston Villa will face Manchester United at Villa Park, Bristol City with take on Leicester City at Ashton Gate, whilst Stamford Bridge will play host to a London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
If Arsenal do not manage it on Sunday, (having already sold over 40,000 tickets) get ready to see sold out stadiums for some of the biggest domestic clashes in the WSL very soon.
Katie McCabe to score a screamer and get plenty of yellow cards
It is inevitable, right?
Katie McCabe will, without a doubt, launch a shot that causes jaws to drop and hands to cover mouths just as Leah Williamson did when she pulled off an audacious lob at Aston Villa in 2021.
Having just signed a new contract with Arsenal, McCabe has long been a prolific ‘worldie’ scorer, from an ‘Olimpico’ at the World Cup to a screamer in Arsenal’s pivotal game at Manchester City last year.
Almost just as predictably, she will pick up her fair share of yellow cards along the way playing with a relentless tenacity that has earnt its place in the heart of many an Arsenal fan.
