Birmingham City’s Barclays Women’s Super League return hasn’t quite gone as planned. Five games in, and The Blues are 13th, just two points above table footers Charlton Athletic.
Both have come in home stalemates with Brighton & Hove Albion, having conceded a late Kiko Seike equaliser, and Crystal Palace. It’s not been the start to the campaign many had hoped for.
That’s not to say there haven’t been bright sparks to kick off the season. Moments of joy that fans have been able to celebrate. The primary reason for optimism surrounding the season as a whole has been Océane Hurtré’s rapid transition to the BWSL.
Hurtre’s been biding her time
The 22-year-old moved to the Midlands from French side Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Having spent time on loan with Dijon and Bordeaux, it was clear the young forward didn’t have a future in Paris.
Their loss has proven Birmingham’s gain. Amy Merricks’ side secured the BWSL2 title on the final day of the season as they beat Charlton 2-0 in south London. A double from club-record January arrival Wilma Leidhammer was enough to pip Palace to top spot on goal difference. That’s not to say Hurtré didn’t play her part in their title-winning campaign.
Yes, she wasn’t a first-team regular under Merricks, with just 10 of her 21 outings coming from the outset. Even so, she showed enough to prove she’d be a key player for Birmingham in the long run. After all, across just 937 minutes of league action, Hurtré managed three goals and three assists.
Despite playing a bit-part role, only Lily Crosthwaite (43) and Veatriki Sarri (37) created more chances than the up-and-coming French winger (31) of all Birmingham players. No player created more big chances (6). It was truly a sign of things to come.
Seamless BWSL transition
As she rapidly adjusted to the rigours of English football, she’s also made the jump between the BWSL2 and BWSL look easy. She’s made the starting left-wing spot St. Andrew’s her own, and there is no chance she’ll be relinquishing the role without a fight.
Of the seven league goals Birmingham have scored so far this season, Hurtré has bagged five. Chelsea are the only team to have kept her quiet. She’s thrown in an additional assist for good measure.
In Merricks’ favoured 4-2-3-1 setup, the wingers aren’t tasked with cutting infield as they are usually expected to in the modern game. Rather, Crosthwaite and Hurtré operate on the right and left flank, respectively, mirroring their stronger foot. It’s a call back to the old-school, where the wide forwards were expected to switch on the afterburners and leave their markers for dust.
It means just 21% of Birmingham’s attacks have come through the middle of the pitch, the second lowest proportion in the league.
Unsurprisingly, Hurtré (8) and Crosthwaite (4) rank first and second, respectively, for successful dribbles for Birmingham in the BWSL this term. Yet while the BWSL2 Player of the Season is struggling to match last season’s exploits, Hurtré is thriving down the left flank.
Indeed, her five goals have come from nine shots on target, highlighting her prolificacy. Create the chances for Hurtré, and she’ll likely tuck them away. What’s more, had her teammates sported their shooting boots, then she’d have more than just one assist to her name.
14 chances created ranks fifth in the BWSL this season, while three big chances created is the sixth most. It’s only a matter of time before she starts climbing the BWSL assist leaderboard, and in the process; Birmingham themselves begin to steer clear of danger.
Working hard for the team
And Hurtré is doing all she can off the ball as well as on it. A 35% possession return is the second lowest in the division, meaning the Birmingham players need to work together to ensure they are able to absorb pressure before hitting teams on the counter attacker.
You better believe Hurtré is pulling her weight out of possession, evident in that 17 tackles ranks among the top 10 players in England’s top tier this term. This is a player that is doing everything in her power to haul Birmingham up the table across all areas of the pitch.
Must have Fantasy option?
Regardless of her form this season, Hurtré has been selected by just 9% of Fantasy players for the 2026/27 campaign so far. With Leg 1 done and dusted, and Leg 2 right around the corner, it means players have unlimited transfers to tinker with their team between now and the first game back following the international break.
It just so happens that Hurtré and Birmingham kick off the Matchweek 6 action as the Midlands side make the trip to Arsenal this coming weekend. Available for just £6m, she is certainly worth the gamble, regardless of Birmingham’s struggles. After all, Hurtré has collected more Fantasy points (53) than any other player.
That’s right - move aside Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Khadija Shaw and Alessia Russo, it’s Birmingham’s prized asset that leads the way. And with an infinite number of transfers to be made between now and Matchweek deadline, Hurtré is well worth bringing into the side at such a low price.
She’s unfazed by the calibre of opposition, nor the step up in competition. Hurtré's a player that has taken to the BWSL season like a duck to water. Long may it continue as far as Birmingham are concerned.
