A new season brings new faces, fresh challenges and plenty of reasons to get excited.
The Barclays Women’s Super League returns this weekend for its first campaign as a 14-team division, with three promoted sides joining the top flight and a host of major summer moves reshaping squads across the country.
From a two-time Ballon d’Or winner arriving from Barcelona to experienced goalscorers looking to make their mark at new clubs, there is no shortage of storylines heading into opening weekend.
Meanwhile, BWSL2 gets underway with its own promotion battle, with Newcastle United among the sides expected to challenge at the top following an ambitious summer of recruitment.
With the new campaign finally here, here are five players to keep an eye on this weekend, and potential picks to consider for your Fantasy BWSL team.
The Headliner — Alexia Putellas, London City Lionesses
There may be no bigger new arrival in the BWSL this season than Alexia Putellas.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has swapped Barcelona for London City Lionesses after 14 years at the Catalan club, arriving in England as one of the most decorated players in the history of the women’s game.
Putellas enjoyed another productive campaign in Spain last season, registering nine goals and seven assists in the league. Her ability to dictate games is also reflected in her passing, averaging an impressive 83.8% successful passes across the campaign.
Now, though, a completely new challenge awaits.
London City open the BWSL season against Manchester United on Friday night, with Putellas set to make her competitive debut in English football. Her arrival is not only a statement signing for Michele Kang's ambitious project, but a moment that could help shape the profile of the BWSL itself.
The midfielder's technical quality, experience at the highest level and ability to influence games from central areas make her one of the most intriguing players to watch this weekend.
All eyes will be on London City. All eyes will be on Putellas.
The Set-Piece Specialist — Bethany England, Crystal Palace
For Crystal Palace, returning to the BWSL is about establishing themselves at the highest level once again. For Bethany England, it is an opportunity to begin another chapter of her career.
The experienced forward has made the move from Tottenham to Palace this summer, bringing with her a proven record of scoring goals at the top level. Palace confirmed the 32-year-old as one of their headline additions, with England signing a two-year deal and taking the No.9 shirt.
England finished last BWSL season with seven goals and one assist, while her expected goals figure stood at 7.40, highlighting how consistently she was getting herself into dangerous goalscoring positions.
She made 21 league appearances for Tottenham, starting 15 of their 22 fixtures and accumulating 1,330 minutes.
Now, Palace will be hoping that experience can translate into goals as they face Everton on the opening weekend.
England's ability from set pieces adds another dimension to Palace's attacking threat, while her experience of competing for trophies and fighting for survival could prove invaluable to a newly promoted side.
With Palace back in the BWSL after just one season away, England could be one of the players who determines how quickly they settle back into life at the top level.
The Difference-Maker — Katie McCabe, Chelsea
There are few players who bring the combination of versatility, aggression and experience that Katie McCabe does.
After more than a decade at Arsenal, the Republic of Ireland captain has made the switch across London to Chelsea, joining the Blues as part of Sonia Bompastor's new-look squad.
McCabe's numbers last season underline why Chelsea wanted to bring her in.
The left-back contributed one goal and five assists in the BWSL, while recording 3.72 expected assists, an impressive figure for a player operating primarily from the back. She also won 56.3% of her duels, demonstrating the defensive strength that has made her such a reliable presence throughout her career.
Her set-piece delivery provides another attacking weapon.
Chelsea are entering a period of transition following a summer of significant change, with McCabe one of several major additions brought in to help the club challenge for the title once again.
With Chelsea welcoming Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, McCabe will have her first opportunity to show exactly what she can bring to her new side.
For a player so comfortable influencing matches at both ends of the pitch, her arrival could prove hugely significant.
The Prospect — Jessie Gale, Newcastle United
The BWSL2 provides the perfect environment for young players to establish themselves, and Jessie Gale enters the new campaign with an opportunity to take another important step in her development.
The 19-year-old forward has joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan from Arsenal, having spent last season gaining valuable BWSL2 experience with Portsmouth and Bristol City.
Gale's previous campaign showed exactly why she is one to watch.
Across 22 BWSL2 appearances, she scored eight goals and provided one assist, finishing joint-fourth in the division's goalscoring charts. She scored her final league goal of the campaign against Newcastle United, finding the net in the 99th minute of a 2-1 victory.
That experience now takes her to a Newcastle side with serious ambitions.
The Magpies are among the favorites for promotion this season after strengthening their squad with several high-profile additions, and Gale's pace, movement and goalscoring ability could provide another attacking option.
Newcastle begin their campaign against newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, giving Gale an immediate opportunity to make an impression in a side expected to challenge near the top of the table.
The Finisher — Charlie Wellings, Burnley
Burnley's return to BWSL2 provides Charlie Wellings with the chance to begin another chapter after making the move from Nottingham Forest this summer.
The experienced forward has signed a one-year deal with Burnley following two seasons with Forest, where she became a regular source of goals in BWSL2.
Wellings made 14 league appearances for Forest last season, although much of her impact came from the bench, with 10 substitute appearances and 430 minutes of playing time.
Despite the limited minutes, she still found the net three times.
Her most productive performance came against Southampton in November, when she scored twice in a 3-2 victory. She also found the net in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United in January.
Now at Burnley, Wellings brings experience and a proven ability to make the most of opportunities in the final third.
Burnley begin their BWSL2 campaign away at Watford on the opening weekend, with the Clarets looking to establish themselves after an unbeaten promotion campaign in the FA Women's National League.
For Wellings, it is a chance to turn those impact moments into a bigger role, and potentially become one of the players who drives Burnley's first season back at this level.
