The WSL kicks off on Saturday, but the news today is that Barca are sending a world record fee to City for Keira Walsh - £350k. An impressive investment by Barca, who will be without the world’s best player, Putellas, for this season due to ACL tears suffered at the Euros. Barca added Lucy Bronze earlier in the summer, so they are going full throttle by adding England’s best.
For City, this clearly indicates a rebuilding/transition season ahead. They have brought in some good players this window, but lost White to retirement and both Bronze and Walsh to Barca.
Arsenal did their most important work early in summer by retaining Meidema, who was widely predicted to head to Barca. They took the title race to the last game day in the spring, but it’s not clear that they have improved the squad over this window.
Which means a Chelsea are heavy favorites for a 4th consecutive league title. They fortified every part of the pitch and held on to all their stars this summer. Success will be measured by winning the league-UCL double. I hope Boehly maintains this level of investment in the women’s team.
Finally, Liverpool are back after winning the Championship by 11 points! They did necessary transfer work by adding players in all position groups except striker. They have some nice scoring options and should have enough talent plus coaching to easily stay up…but a winter transfer for a proven WSL goal scorer might be necessary. But for Reds fans, it just great to see the club putting some resources into the squad and building a legit WSL team.