The Women’s Super League season preview looks a lot different this year. After six straight seasons of Chelsea dominance, Manchester City finally knocked the champions off their throne. Now comes the harder part: doing it again.
City’s title run last season was impressive, but it was also helped by something every team dreams of having; a healthy squad and no European football to worry about. With Champions League matches back on the schedule, the champions will have a much tougher balancing act this season.
And suddenly, everyone wants a piece of their crown.
Manchester City Has a Target on Its Back
Manchester City’s title wins last season came as a surprise to plenty of people. After finishing second the year before, City finally put everything together.
A healthy squad made a huge difference. So did avoiding the midweek grind of European competition. City could focus almost entirely on the WSL while their biggest rivals were juggling league and Champions League games.
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw was also a huge part of that success. The striker scored 21 league goals and claimed another Golden Boot.
But this season will test City in a completely different way.
They now have Europe back on their schedule. That means more travel, more games and fewer chances to rest. Still, with Shaw leading the attack and an already talented roster adding even more firepower, City have every reason to believe they can defend their title.
The question is whether they can handle the pressure that comes with being the team everyone wants to beat.
Arsenal Is Still Chasing That Trophy
If Manchester City is the team with the target on its back, Arsenal is the team looking to take aim.
Arsenal finished second last season and were right there in the title race. However, six league draws ultimately separated them from City. Those dropped points proved costly in a season where the margin for error was incredibly small.
Arsenal also had to deal with a lengthy Champions League run. While that success was something to celebrate, it made an already demanding season even more difficult.
Now, Arsenal have another chance.
The club has made several major additions, including Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle and Géraldine Reuteler. Those additions could give the team the extra push it needs to finally finish the job.
Arsenal have not won the WSL since 2019. For a club with their history, that drought is starting to feel a little too long.
Chelsea Isn’t Going Anywhere
For the first time in years, Chelsea enter the season without the title.
That feels strange.
Chelsea won six consecutive WSL championships before Manchester City finally ended their run. Last season was a step backward by their standards, with the club winning only the League Cup.
There is also a sense that the old Chelsea is slowly disappearing.
Millie Bright retired, while Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten moved to the NWSL. Katie McCabe also made the move from Arsenal to Chelsea, giving Sonia Bompastor another major piece to work with.
It may be the end of Chelsea’s dynasty, but that does not mean the Blues should be counted out.
Bompastor already knows how to win. Chelsea still have some of the best soccer players in the world. They also have something that can be just as valuable as talent: experience.
If Chelsea are written off too early, they could make everyone regret it.
Tottenham Could Shake Things Up
While the usual suspects fight for the top spot, Tottenham could be the team nobody wants to overlook.
Spurs finished fifth last season under manager Martin Ho. That was their best-ever WSL finish and a major step forward for the club. Even more impressive, they cut the gap between themselves and fourth place from 10 points to just four.
Now they want more.
Tottenham have added players such as Alice Sombath and Kirsty Hanson. If those additions click quickly, Spurs could find themselves fighting for European football.
A top-four finish might be a big ask. But after last season, it would be foolish to assume Tottenham cannot surprise people again.
So, Who Wins It?
That is what makes this year’s WSL so fun.
Manchester City finally ended Chelsea’s reign. Arsenal are desperate to end their own title drought. Chelsea are looking to prove their dynasty is not dead yet. Meanwhile, Tottenham are trying to crash the party.
The league is becoming deeper, more competitive and harder to predict. That is great news for women’s soccer and the fans who have watched the WSL continue to grow.
There is also a bigger prize looming in the background. With the 2027 World Cup approaching, every match gives soccer players another opportunity to make their case for their national teams, including the USWNT and England.
Manchester City may be the defending champion.
But this season, everyone is coming for them.
Featured image via @mancitywomen
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