The new Barclays Women’s Super League season is upon us, and the 2026/27 campaign presents another opportunity for some burgeoning players to shine.
Here, we pick out three potential breakout stars from both the BWSL and BWSL2.
BWSL
Katie Reid (Arsenal)
After starting Arsenal’s first four BWSL games of last season and impressing to the point of earning a first senior England call-up in October, 19-year-old centre-back Katie Reid suffered a crushing blow when she ruptured her ACL, missing the rest of the campaign as a result.
So, she’ll be hoping to pick up where she left off as the Gunners head into the new BWSL campaign – and the player once tipped by teammate Leah Williamson to ultimately take her place certainly has the ability to stake a claim to a regular starting berth, standout for her technical ability and flexibility.
Reid costs £4m in Fantasy, making her one of the most affordable defenders in the game.
Lexi Potter (Chelsea)
Having made her first BWSL start for Chelsea towards the end of last season – marking it in style by scoring the winner against Brighton – 20-year-old midfielder Lexi Potter appears primed to play a bigger part for the Blues in 2026/27.
A versatile operator who has given a glimpse of the damage she can do when allowed to get forward, the England U23 international helped Chelsea win the Players Cup in her first full campaign with the first team; can she now star in a BWSL title charge?
Potter is priced at £5m in Fantasy, placing her among the game’s cheaper midfield options.
Layla Drury (Man United)
A history-maker as Manchester United’s youngest-ever player and scorer when she marked debut with a goal in January’s FA Cup win over Burnley, forward Layla Drury became the youngest player ever to sign a professional contract with the club in July, putting pen to paper shortly after her 17th birthday.
Praised by outgoing Man United boss Mark Skinner for quick thinking and movement on the pitch, the England U20 international made five BWSL appearances during the second half of last season and linked up with the United first team this pre-season.
Drury is among the most affordable forwards in Fantasy with a price tag of £5m.
BWSL2
Princess Ademiluyi (Ipswich)
On loan at Ipswich Town from NWSL side Gotham FC for the rest of this calendar year, 20-year-old striker Princess Ademiluyi will be aiming to push on after an encouraging start to her spell in East Anglia.
The England U20 international bagged two goals in nine BWSL2 outings for Ipswich at the back end of 2026/27 to help the Tractor Girls steer clear of relegation and finish ninth in their first campaign in the second tier.
Ademiluyi is one of the most affordable forwards in Fantasy at £4.5m.
Araya Dennis (Leicester)
Arriving from Spurs on a season-long loan, 20-year-old winger Araya Dennis joins a Leicester side looking to push for immediate promotion back to the to the BWSL as she takes the next step in her career.
Naturally right-sided, the former Arsenal academy player made a handful of top-flight appearances for Spurs last term, including her first start for the club. And she comes with experience of the BWSL2, spending time on loan with Southampton in 2024/25.
Costing £4m in Fantasy, Dennis is one of the lowest-priced forwards available.
Ava Baker (Sheffield United)
Loaned out by Birmingham to Sheffield United after a short but productive BWSL2 loan stint with Ipswich in the latter part of last season, 20-year-old attacking midfielder Ava Baker could be set truly break through and add significantly to her six second-tier starts to date in 2026/27.
The England U20 international scored once and notched two assists to help Ipswich to safety last term. Sheffield United will hope she can bring the kind of excitement head coach Stephen Healy spoke of upon her arrival.
With a Fantasy price of £5m, Baker represent an affordable midfield option.
