The hottest striker in the WSL: Khadija “Bunny” Shaw
Off the back of England record goalscorer Ellen White’s retirement over the summer, many had questions regarding Manchester City’s attack going into the 2022/23 season.
Six games into the new Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign, those questions have been emphatically answered by one, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw. Pace, power, and a deadly finish, Bunny has stepped into the Man City number nine role and has looked every bit the part.
The 25-year-old Jamaican has had a blistering start to 2022, netting an eye-catching six goals and one assist in her opening five WSL games. Bunny added two more goals in her two UEFA Women’s Champions League appearances, bringing her to nine goal involvements in just seven games.
On form, there isn’t a forward better than Bunny Shaw right now. She is currently the league’s top goal scorer and boasts an impressive 1.34 goals per 90. In her last three appearances, she netted back-to-back braces against Leicester City and Tottenham, followed by a goal at home to Liverpool at the weekend. In all games, City went on to win.
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Background
Those who have followed Bunny Shaw’s career thus far won’t be surprised at the striker’s purple patch. She is currently Jamaica’s all-time leading goalscorer, male or female, sitting on 56 goals in 38 appearances. Her goals for Jamaica have always been vital as she spearheaded the nation’s qualifications for both the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
This made Jamaica the first ever Caribbean nation to qualify, let alone do it twice.
Bunny scores her 50th and 51st goal for Jamaica tonight
.#ReggaeGirlz #BobMarleyFoundation #StrikeHard #ReggaeGirlzFoundation #ConcacafW #JFF_Football pic.twitter.com/bC5XDZKETO— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) April 13, 2022
Her best domestic season came in 2020/21 for Bordeaux, where she was the Division 1 Féminine leading goalscorer, bagging 22 goals in just 20 league appearances. This also earned her a spot in the team of the year, making Bunny Shaw the only player outside of the top two (PSG and Lyon) to be featured in the team. Her goals and all-around play led Bordeaux to an impressive third-place finish and UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification.
Shaw’s first season with the Citizens saw her minutes up front split with Ellen White. As a result, she was slowly bled in instead of being flung into the deep end, starting only nine games in 2021/22. Her quality was clear to see from the off nonetheless, contributing 12 G/A in only nine starts. City fans will be elated that this form has not only continued but been built upon by Bunny, as her goal-scoring tally now stands at 15 goals in her last 14 WSL starts.
Looking Forward
There are still, however, areas of her game she can improve on. At times she can find herself drifting out of games, becoming frustrated with a lack of touches. This can lead to Bunny dropping deep to get on the ball, but leaving the team without a focal point for crosses into the box when play is circulated. This is a minor gripe in my opinion, as her strength and vision make her exceptional with her back-to-goal.
More often than not though, Bunny occupies threatening areas in the box. Her heading ability and keen eye for goal make her an elite markswoman. Moreover, she provides a great work ethic from the front, initiating the press and always being available as an out-ball for City. Creativity, poise, vision, and a velvet touch, every weapon you could ask for in a first-rate striker, she possesses.
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These sentiments were shared by Bunny’s manager Gareth Taylor, after her brace against Tottenham. Taylor said: “She’s taken over wearing the No 9 for her club, she’s a young player and has got lots more to come I believe and she can score goals. She’s proven that previously, and she’s proven it here.”
With Sam Kerr, Vivianne Miedema among others still at the top of their game, calling Bunny Shaw the league’s best striker outright will still come with pushback at this early stage. However, at the moment, I back her over any other forward in the WSL.
At her size, to be as pacey as she is, coupled with the invaluable technical ability she possesses is a dangerous prospect. She has all the tools to cement herself as a world beater, and by the end of this season, we could be speaking about her as a Ballon d’Or Féminin contender.
