Barclays Women's Super League Season Preview

Hot on the heels of another remarkable summer for English women’s football, the sport truly arrives home with the new the Barclays Women’s Super League season.

The returning European Champions will be back in action across the league as the Lionesses return to domestic football and there are intriguing storylines already emerging.

UEFA Women’s Champions League winners Arsenal will return from Europe with aspirations of a domestic title, but reigning invincibles Chelsea will prove tough to knock off their perch.

With three new managers and league debutants London City Lionesses gracing the league, there is plenty to keep an eye on as another season gets underway on 5 September.

Arsenal

The Gunners enter the season as European champions, and yet remarkably their manager Renee Slegers will enjoy her first pre-season with the club having been appointed permanently in January.

It marks the first time the BWSL will feature reigning UWCL champions - Arsenal’s previous success came in 2007 prior to the formation of the league - and they will no doubt be gunning to add further shine to their trophy case.

Slegers’ sizeable impact last term will no doubt provide excitement for fans in N5, while making the first £1 million transfer in Olivia Smith and committing to playing all home league matches at the Emirates Stadium marks another sign of intent.

But Arsenal will need their bumper collective of Euro 2025 winners, including tournament hero and new signing Chloe Kelly, to be ready from the off with margins tighter than ever.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa will hope to build on their sixth-place finish, with Natalia Arroyo's side finishing last season strongly after the Spaniard's arrival midway through the season.

It will give them confidence ahead of a first full season under Arroyo along with a host of significant contract renewals and the signings of Ellie Roebuck, Lynn Wilms and Jill Baijings.

With quality added and secured across the pitch, the Villans, who turned a corner to win their final five league games last term, will aim to continue that upwards trajectory.

Their sights will firmly be set on matching their highest-ever finish of fifth in 2022/23 and will hope to fly out of the blocks, and who better to test that against than last year’s fifth place finishers Brighton?

Brighton & Hove Albion

The Seagulls got off to a flying start under Dario Vidosic last season that ultimately carried them to an impressive fifth-place finish.

The Australian manager will be looking to build on such a strong first impression in the BWSL in his second season on the south coast and has made strides to such an aim with an exciting transfer window to boot.

Euro 2025 hero Michelle Agyemang returns to the Seagulls on loan, while a familiar face from her parent club Rosa Kafaji also heads south from Arsenal.

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner Chiamaka Nnadozie and WSL winner Maelys Mpome have also arrived to reinforce the defence in a Vidosic side gaining a reputation for its attacking intent.

While the second half of the season saw a drop off from Brighton, a historic 4-2 win against Arsenal showed what they are capable of and an ability to sustain such form will make or break their chances of pushing on this season.

Chelsea

Defending champions Chelsea enter the new season with expectations as high as ever.

Sonia Bompastor is still yet to lose a BWSL match in the Blues dugout and will be targeting back-to-back titles after a stellar debut season in England.

The Blues also wrapped up a domestic treble, clinching Adobe Women’s FA Cup and Subway League Cup victories in a glittering season in west London.

The goal now is to repeat the feat while also battling for that elusive Champions League title, having seen neighbours and rivals Arsenal lift the trophy in May.

Bompastor has made just a few additions to her star-studded squad, with Australia full-back Ellie Carpenter the highest-profile addition.

Stalwart Sophie Ingle was amongst the departures alongside Ashley Lawrence and Mia Fishel, but Chelsea’s depth means they are well-placed for another tilt for trophies on all fronts.

Everton

There is a quiet confidence at Everton after Brian Sorensen’s side showed plenty of promise last season.

The Toffees finished eighth last term, with glimpses of the project the Dane has slowly been putting together on Merseyside.

He has been able to keep the bulk of the squad together, with the loss of Sara Holmgaard to Real Madrid the only major exit over the summer, and Yuka Momiki and Katie Robinson amongst the arrivals.

The Toffees will make Goodison Park their permanent home after the men’s side moved to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, and will hope to use the ground’s storied history in their favour.

Leicester City

Leicester City will be determined to improve on their 10th-place finish last season despite the exit of manager Amandine Miquel less than two weeks before the start of the season.

The Foxes have made a few changes to the squad, with Irish pair Heather Payne and Katie Keane arriving to shore up the defence while Celeste Boureille has signed from Montpellier.

Only three players – Sophie Howard, Saori Takarada, and Lena Petermann – have departed meaning continuity could be the key to the Foxes putting more distance between them and the relegation zone.

Liverpool

It is all change at Liverpool, as new manager Gareth Taylor takes the reins following Matt Beard’s dismissal last season.

It took time for Taylor to be officially appointed, with the former Manchester City boss only unveiled in late August, and business has been limited to replace a number of summer departures.

PFA Young Player of the Year Olivia Smith signed for Arsenal after an outstanding season, with Taylor Hinds following her to north London while Jasmine Matthews and Niamh Fahey have also left.

Scottish midfielder Sam Kerr returns after her loan spell last season but the Reds know more is required if they are to make a return to the top half.

There is still plenty of talent in the ranks, however, with Marie Hobinger leading the way in midfield.

London City Lionesses

The league’s newcomers are not here to solely make up the numbers, as London City Lionesses look to make a splash in their debut season.

The Lionesses won a thrilling Championship title race last season, and have added to their ranks with talents such as Nikita Parris, Danielle van de Donk, and Jana Fernandez.

The capital side have made 13 new additions in total, meaning Joceyln Precheur’s outfit will look very different than just a few months ago.

The Lionesses have already made history as the first independent side to be promoted to the WSL, and under the backing of owner Michele Kang will be hellbent on creating more.

Manchester City

Manchester City are eyeing a return to the European places after a fourth-place finish last time out.

There were plenty of highlights for the blue half of Manchester, including a 2-0 win over Barcelona, but it was ultimately not enough to secure a lucrative top three finish.

New manager Andrée Jeglertz is charged with returning City to the top table after Gareth Taylor departed last season.

He inherits a squad brimming with talent, including Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema up top, plus Euros winners Alex Greenwood, Jess Park and Lauren Hemp though Chloe Kelly has departed for Arsenal.

German midfielder Sydney Lohmann is the main addition, while Iman Beney and Jade Rose are exciting young recruits.

Manchester United

Manchester United will look to build on the solid foundations established by a third-placed finish last term.

Marc Skinner’s side secured European football ahead of neighbours City, and they will hope for a good run in the Champions League having failed to reach the group stages last time out.

Skinner has made little changes to his squad but Swedish duo Julia Zigiotti Olme and Fridolina Rolfo are eye-catching additions, while Hannah Blundell returns from maternity leave.

Defender Aoife Mannion is the only major departure, with Skinner putting his faith in the squad that was successful last season.

Much of that was based in a watertight defence led by Maya Le Tissier and goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, while Elisabeth Terland leads the line.

Tottenham Hotspur

It is a fresh start for Tottenham Hotspur, with new boss Martin Ho charged with rejuvenating the club after an 11th-place finish last season.

Spurs failed to build on a top half finish as they slipped to just one place away from the relegation zone but hopes are high that they can challenge at the right end once more.

The north Londoners last won a game in January, but Ho has the talent at his disposal can inspire a quick turnaround in fortunes.

Japanese defender Toko Koga is the only signing but the likes of Beth England, Eveliina Summanen and Martha Thomas are amongst a strong core already in the building.

West Ham United

West Ham United are out to build on fledgling foundations after enjoying some encouraging results towards the end of last season.

The emergence of striker Shekiera Martinez was the catalyst for a strong second half, which Rehanne Skinner will hope carries on into the new campaign.

Martinez is joined by Viviane Asseyi and Riko Ueki in attack, along with new recruits Leila Wandeler who joins from OL Lyonnes and Ffion Morgan from Bristol City.

Yu Endo joins from Urawa Red Diamonds in defence, while Sarah Brasero returns to England from Estoril as the Hammers look to upgrade their resources.