From Lisa Baum’s bright spell for Arsenal to Kiko Seike’s recent goalscoring form, here are five players to keep an eye on in the Barclays Women’s Super League this week.
With another round of fixtures approaching in the Barclays Women’s Super League, several players have already made their mark with impressive individual performances.
Whether it is goals and assists, creative contributions or defensive work, these five players have produced numbers that make them worth watching as the campaign continues.
Here are five names to keep on your watchlist this week.
The Bright Spark — Lisa Baum, Arsenal
Lisa Baum has been a positive presence for Arsenal during a difficult spell, offering an attacking threat as the Gunners look to find consistency.
The forward has scored two goals so far this season, while registering an expected goals on target (xGOT) figure of 1.94, highlighting the quality of the chances she has tested goalkeepers with.
Baum has taken 13 shots, with eight on target, demonstrating her willingness to get involved in the final third. She has also completed seven successful dribbles, giving Arsenal another option when looking to progress the ball and take on defenders.
Her contribution has not been limited to attacking areas, either. Baum has completed 82.5% of her passes, recorded a 100% accuracy rate on long balls and made nine tackles.
With Birmingham City next on the schedule, Baum will be looking to maintain her positive performances and provide Arsenal with another attacking outlet.
Next fixture: Birmingham City.
The Creative Engine — Signe Gaupset, Tottenham Hotspur
Signe Gaupset has been a key creative influence for Tottenham Hotspur, combining attacking output with an ability to create opportunities for her teammates.
The midfielder has registered one goal and three assists so far this season, alongside an expected assists (xA) figure of 1.21.
Her creativity is particularly evident in the number of chances she has produced. Gaupset has created eighteen chances, while recording an xG of 1.67 and taking sixteen shots herself.
She has also completed 85.6% of her passes, highlighting her ability to retain possession and help Tottenham build attacks.
Away from the ball, Gaupset has made seventeen recoveries, showing that her contribution extends beyond creating opportunities in the final third.
Her next challenge is a London derby against Chelsea, where Tottenham will need their creative players to make an impact against strong opposition.
With three assists already to her name, Gaupset could be one to watch as Spurs look to make their mark in the capital.
Next fixture: Chelsea away.
The Relentless Forward — Vivien Endemann, Liverpool
Vivien Endemann has made an impressive contribution to Liverpool's attack, with two goals and two assists highlighting her influence in the final third.
The forward has registered four shots on target and an xA of 0.87, while her direct approach has been reflected in the ten successful dribbles she has completed this season.
Endemann has also recorded thirty one touches in the opposition box, demonstrating how frequently she gets into dangerous attacking positions.
Her ability to draw contact has been another feature of her performances, having won ten fouls so far. She has also won possession in the final third on six occasions, helping Liverpool regain the ball in areas where they can quickly threaten their opponents.
The forward's work rate is evident defensively, too, with eight tackles recorded so far.
Liverpool face Aston Villa next, giving Endemann another opportunity to add to her attacking contributions and cause problems for the opposition defence.
Next fixture: Aston Villa.
The In-Form Finisher — Kiko Seike, Brighton & Hove Albion
Kiko Seike heads into Brighton & Hove Albion's next fixture in promising goalscoring form after finding the net three times this season, including two goals against Charlton in her most recent outing.
The forward has recorded an xG of 1.74, with eleven shots taken and seven on target, underlining her ability to get into scoring positions and test the goalkeeper.
Seike has also been effective when taking on defenders, completing 77.8% of her dribbles and winning 60% of her duels.
Her influence extends beyond the attacking third. She has registered eleven tackles, four interceptions, nineteen recoveries and four clearances, demonstrating the amount of work she contributes without possession.
That combination of attacking quality and defensive effort makes Seike an interesting player to follow as Brighton prepare for a difficult test against the reigning champions, Manchester City.
After her brace against Charlton, she will be hoping to carry that momentum into the next round of fixtures.
Next fixture: Manchester City.
The Complete Forward — Viviane Asseyi, West Ham United
Viviane Asseyi rounds off this week's watchlist after producing a strong combination of goalscoring, creativity and physical work for West Ham United.
The forward has scored three goals this season, supported by an xG of 1.86 and an xGOT of 3.26. She has taken twelve shots, with six on target, showing her ability to consistently test opposition goalkeepers.
Asseyi has also contributed creatively, recording an xA of 0.73 and creating six chances for her teammates. Her long-range distribution has been another part of her game, with 58.3% of her long balls finding their target.
But it is her work in duels and defensive situations that makes her particularly interesting. Asseyi has won forty eight duels, drawn sixteen fouls and made fourteen tackles, highlighting her willingness to compete and contribute when West Ham are without the ball.
With Crystal Palace next, Asseyi will have another opportunity to combine her attacking threat with the hard work that makes her such an all-round presence.
Next fixture: Crystal Palace.
Who will stand out this week?
From Baum's attacking spark at Arsenal to Gaupset's creativity, Endemann's relentless forward play, Seike's recent goalscoring form and Asseyi's all-round contribution, each player brings something different to this week's watchlist.
With challenging fixtures ahead, all five will have opportunities to make an impact for their respective sides.
Keep an eye on these names as the next round of the Barclays Women’s Super League gets underway.
