The Women’s Super League (WSL) gets underway for the 2024-25 season, with the opening match set for Friday, September 20.
The new season promises to be another exciting campaign as 12 teams are set to compete for the coveted trophy, with three UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) spots up for grabs, while one team will get relegated at the end.
With just hours until kick-off, Afrosport takes a look into the participating teams highlighting their performances in the last campaign and the additions to their roster.
Arsenal (3rd in 2023/24 Season)
One of the most decorated teams in the league’s history with 15 titles, Arsenal, will be looking to get their hand on the trophy once again, for the first time since 2019, and subsequently put an end to their city rival, Chelsea’s, dominance.
The Gunners finished third in WSL last season, earning them a spot in the qualifyimg roundss for the UWCL group stages. The arrival of experienced Spain international, Mariona Caldentey, from Barcelona and Young Swedish player, Rosa Kafaji, to an already talented squad, will provide a huge boost to the team’s chances of achieving success.
Aston Villa (7th in 2023/24 Season)
Having finished in the second half of the table in the last campaign, the Villains, under the new leadership of Robert de Pauw following the departure of Carla Ward at the end of last season, will be aiming for a top six finish.
Villa have done some good business in the summer window, bringing in Missy Bo Kearns, Chasity Grant, and Lionesses’ Katie Robinson.
Brighton (9th in 2023/24 season)
The seagulls start the season with new manager Dario Vidosic after they finished ninth last term.
They showed their ambitions in the transfer market, bringing in England international Fran Kirby from Chelsea and Japanese star Kiko Seike, who was the top scorer in her Domestic league last season.
Chelsea (Champions in 2023/24 Season)
Statistically one of the greatest football teams in the world in both the men’s and women’s game, Chelsea’s dominance in the WSL is to be studied.
The Blues have won seven WSL titles, including the last five. They will, however, begin without legendary boss Emma Hayes, who left at the end of last season and is now the head coach of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT).
An unfamiliar face will be on the sidelines, as Sonia Bompastor, who has big shoes to fill, will be looking to galvanise the star-studded side and maintain their winning pedigree in the league. The Frenchwoman will be looking to build on the last season’s title-winning success with the addition of new signings, Lucy Bronze, who has practically won it all, and French winger Sandy Baltimore.
Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore
Crystal Palace (Newly promoted)
The league’s new arrivals will hope to be ready to battle the established sides after claiming the 2023/24 Women’s Championship title.
The Eagles play exciting football and with the addition of new signings Jorja Fox, Ashleigh Weerden, and Indiah-Paige Reiley they will aim to help new manager Laura Kaminski establish Palace as a Super League team.
Jorja Fox, Ashleigh Weerden, and Indiah-Paige Reiley
Everton (8th in 2023/24 Season)
As one of the Women’s Super League founding clubs, Everton were part of the inaugural season in 2011.
Although they finished eighth last season, head coach Brian Sorrenson will be hoping to put their not so inspiring campaign behind them, in order to create new history with one of the league’s youngest squads.
With the experience of new signings Melissa Lawley, Veatriki Sarri, Honoka Hayashi, and Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne, Everton will be looking to achieve some success this season.
Leicester City (10th in 2023/24 Season)
Leicester City have been part of the WSL since their promotion in the 2021-22 season.
The Foxes were one of the first clubs to move all their home fixtures to the main club ground, The King Power Stadium.
New coach, Amandine Mizuel will be looking to build on last season’s cup success that saw the team get to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Liverpool (4th in 2023/24 Season)
The two-time champions stormed to a fourth place finish last season with Matthew Beard winning the WSL Manager of the Season award.
Impressive league wins over Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were the highlights from the Reds’ campaign last season, and they will be looking to build on that momemtum this time out.
Manchester City (2nd in 2023/24 Season)
After painfully losing the title to Chelsea on the final day of last season, City were left to rue their missed opportunity of ending the Blue’s dominance.
Albeit not winning the trophy, it was still a positive season for the Manchester club as striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw won the Golden Boot award for top scorer as well as the PFA Womens Player of the Year award, while Khiara Keating picked up the Golden Glove award.
Head coach Gareth Taylor, who already has a hugely talented squad, will be presented with more selection headache following the acquisition of lethal Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema.
Manchester United (5th in 2023/24 Season)
Manchester United didn’t have the best outing in the WSL last season, compared to the 2022-23 campaign.
Marc Skinner’s side finished fifth, earmarking a season that was full of inconsistent displays. However, they secured silverware by beating Tottenham to win their first-ever Women’s FA Cup title.
Although they lost some big names like goalkeeper Mary Earps, Lucia Garcia and club captain Katie Zelem, the addition of new signings, Eliserbeth Terland, Dominique Janssen, Anna Sandberg, Simi Awujo, and Colin Bizet, as well as the return of reigning PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year, Grace Clinton, from her loan, definitely provides much-needed excitment for the new season.
Tottenham Hotspur (6th in 2023/24 Season)
Following a sixth place finish and a FA Cup final appearance, Tottenham will be looking to build on last season’s success into the new season.
They kick off their new season by hosting newcomers Crystal Palace, and Robert Vilaham will be hoping to boost his squad performance with the addition of defenders Clare Hunt and Amanda Nilden.
West Ham United (11th in 2023/24 Season)
Rehanne Skinner will be looking to improve on their 11th place finish from last season.
The team will be looking to combative midfielder Katrina Gorry and goal scorer Viviane Asseyi for inspiration as they aim to finish farther away from the relegation zone this season.
