"Strength in Depth" | What impact does it actually make?

As the Barclays WSL becomes ever more competitive, substitutions have become a key tactical tool. Managers use the bench to change momentum, balance fatigue and influence match outcomes, with some teams benefiting far more than others.

Substitution Patterns

Chelsea and London City Lionesses top the league for substitutions, with 86 each, regularly making 4–5 changes per game. Chelsea’s high turnover reflects injuries and the need to balance BWSL, Subway Women's League Cup, Adobe Women's FA Cup, and UEFA Women's Champions League fixtures. Sonia Bompastor said, “This league is the most competitive. Every game is difficult. When you have depth, you can select different teams based on quality and tactical aspects. Without it, compromise becomes unavoidable. That's not something I want to be thinking about.”

London City’s heavy rotation is driven by squad building following summer and January signings, and by trialling new formations and personnel. Their substitutions are developmental as much as tactical.

Arsenal sit just behind with 81 substitutions from 17 games, highlighting their near-maximal use per match. Renée Slegers said: “There are so many things going into how we create role clarity for the game… acknowledging how much influence every single player has and how much impact they have on what we try to achieve as a group.”

Liverpool have made only 45 substitutions, the fewest in the league, including a 1–1 draw with Chelsea, where no changes were made. Gareth Taylor explained: “The squad needs some help, there’s no doubt about that. We have lost good players last season. Olivia Smith, then Marie Hobinger and Sophie Haug, to injuries, which is unfortunate.”

Goals and Assists from the Bench

Arsenal leads in bench impact with 10 goals and seven assists. Stina Blackstenius has five goals from the bench, making her the league’s most prolific substitute. Slegers explained: “Stina has specific qualities. The disruption she creates in a backline is not only for herself… but also for the team, to get spaces elsewhere.” Chloe Kelly, Frida Maanum, Olivia Smith, Beth Mead, Victoria Pelova, and others have added assists or goals, demonstrating the depth of Arsenal’s bench.

Manchester City have six goals and seven assists from substitutes, with Kerolin contributing three assists. Andrée Jeglertz said, “She can create something out of nothing. Using her speed, and don’t forget she is also putting effort into defending in her own half. I'm very happy for her and for us to have that kind of player.”

Chelsea’s bench has produced only two goals and two assists, showing their changes are primarily for control and load management.

London City Lionesses have just one goal and no assists from the bench, underscoring that rotation does not automatically translate into impact.

Everton’s substitutes have contributed five goals and three assists. Interim manager Scott Phelan said: “It is easy to see the starting XI, but there is real quality on the bench, especially in those attacking areas. We’ve got some depth in there, and it is hard to fit them all into the team.”

Percentage of Goals from the Bench

Leicester City have the highest proportion of goals from substitutes, with 33% of their goals scored by non-starters. Arsenal follow with 26%, Manchester United 24.3%, and Everton 21.7%, demonstrating how some teams rely heavily on the bench to influence outcomes.

London City sits at just 5%, reinforcing that rotation for integration does not automatically produce results.

Arsenal and Manchester City show the value of a clearly defined bench role, turning substitutes into decisive contributors. In contrast, other sides use substitutions primarily for control, squad rotation, or experimentation. As the league tightens, the ability to change games from the bench increasingly separates proactive managers from reactive ones.

Word credit: Elizabeth Payne