Five Players to Watch Ahead of the 2026-27 WSL Season
- Keira Mundell
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 8
It’s almost that time of year again where we are greeted with new title challengers, emerging talents, and plenty of twists and turns. This year, the WSL has a variety of players from different backgrounds, including established stars and young breakthrough talents, while others will be looking to make a difference and help their clubs add more trophies to their cabinet.
I’ve chosen these players based on their recent form, exciting new transfers, and history of impressive seasons, with each player having the potential to make a significant impact for their club.
This season’s opening weekend will begin on the 4th of September, when Manchester United take on London City Lionesses. This game in particular is one to keep fans on the edge of their seats, as there are a few familiar faces on the pitch, ranging from European champions to international legends. With Manchester City's last season being their most successful one to date since the Nick Cushing era in 2016, it shows other clubs that success can be achieved after a prolonged period of time and gives them something to aim for.
With all that being said, it reminds us that winning isn't guaranteed because of a team’s legacy. It is based on a team giving their all in hopes of success. That relies on introducing experienced players or new and emerging talents in order to have a better chance at lifting the trophy in the world’s largest domestic league.
Alexia Putellas
Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Alexia Putellas has sparked a lot of excitement with her confirmed move to billionaire-owned London City Lionesses. This move was highly sought after by both fans and those at the club due to her decade and a half of experience winning trophies at Barcelona. The ultimate goal for owner Michelle Kang will be a top-three finish and a place in the Champions League group stage.
She arrives in Bromley possessing incredible technical ability, with one of her many strengths being her game intelligence. This enables her to make defence-splitting passes and forward runs. Not only is she a clinical finisher with nine goals in 25 appearances, but she is also a creator of opportunities for her teammates to convert chances, with seven assists last season.
Alessia Russo
The Arsenal forward has continued to develop in the women's game after joining the club on a free transfer from Manchester United. In the last three seasons, Russo has become a pivotal part of both Arsenal’s and England’s attacks, so much so that it is very rare for her not to be included in the starting lineup. Being trusted in these teams week in, week out has allowed her to build excellent form in front of goal. Fans and coaches will hope that she is able to retain her consistency and lead Arsenal to their first league title since the 2018-19 season.
During the 2025-26 season, she netted 13 WSL goals in 22 games, meaning she averaged 0.6 goals per game. This showcases that she is a natural finisher and will no doubt increase Arsenal’s title hopes. Her physicality will also be another one of her many assets that the club will utilise, as she is able to hold up the ball against low-block teams. Slegers’ side have at times struggled to break down and convert against squads that pride themselves on a defensive style. When she does receive the ball, in moments where she is not placing herself in front of goal, she can play key passes and provide assists, showing she is a versatile player who is able to do more than score goals.
Grace Clinton
Merseyside-born midfielder Clinton is no stranger to the Women’s Super League. At just seventeen years old, she was already making her way through the youth ranks at Everton's academy before breaking into the first team. She was then signed by Manchester United and sent on loan to Spurs, where she developed her playing style before returning to United. Most recently, she switched to the sky-blue side of Manchester, where she initially made her debut on the wing but quickly established herself as a box-to-box midfielder, allowing her to cover large areas of the pitch, which is a massive advantage when it comes to the squad’s defensive stability.
One of Clinton's main attributes is her ability to control the tempo of the game in all areas of the pitch. Throughout last season, she made twelve appearances, found the back of the net once and contributed to a teammate’s goal. Although these numbers do not appear to be the most impressive on the list, the Manchester City midfielder possesses many other qualities that make her a well-rounded player. Going beyond the statistics, her true value comes from what she delivers when her team is out of possession. Her most notable strength is her ability to make strong defensive contributions. She is especially talented in the air; according to FotMob (2026), she won 88% of her aerial duels last season. Not only can she defend in the air, but she is also excellent in tight, one-on-one situations, which means she can retain possession. This allows her to turn defensive situations into attacking opportunities, while her long-range shooting capabilities add an additional threat to her game.
Maya Le Tissier
Le Tissier, although still only 24, is starting to establish herself as one of Manchester United's most promising centre-backs. Despite her young age, she has been able to achieve some incredible things. In the 2023-24 season, her experience and leadership were evident when she captained her side to Women’s FA Cup glory against Spurs. Since then, she has continued to impress and has played every competitive minute across the past three consecutive seasons.
One of Maya’s most notable strengths is her ability to read the game. This allows her to position herself effectively to help her team and prevent opposition chances from finding the back of the net. Year after year, she has been praised for her excellent form, and last season she earned a place in the WSL Team of the Year for the third time. Having such a reliable centre-back as part of United's defensive line aids team stability and gives her teammates confidence that they are in safe hands.
Lauren James
The Chelsea forward and UEFA Women’s EURO champion has wasted no time in making a name for herself. Her reputation in the English top flight comes from years of representing some of its biggest clubs. Her seasons at Chelsea have been among the most influential of her career, helping her to develop her game at the highest level.
Her unpredictability will be an advantage for Chelsea as they head into next season, hoping to reclaim the league title. The Blues appeared to struggle with unpredictability last season, and this could have been due to James’ absences through injury, meaning they lost her ability to keep defenders guessing. This created less space for herself and her teammates because they were missing her creativity on the pitch. When James is available in the starting lineup, she plays with a close-control style that allows her to operate in and around the box. This can often cause defenders to feel threatened and slip out of position. This was evident against Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final, when she produced a moment of long-range individual brilliance.
With the season starting shortly, I believe that these five players could make a substantial difference to the league, whether it be through creativity, leadership, goalscoring, or experience. With all these qualities being brought to the table, this season should be one that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
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