Yahoo Sports Beever-Jones, Yamashita, Terland: 2024/25 Women’s Super League ones to watch
As the 2024/25 Women’s Super League season prepares to get underway, who could be the players to watch out for? A raft of high-profile signings have brought some of the biggest international names to the English top flight, while experienced superstars also remain big threats in the WSL.
With every team boasting a star-studded squad list, here’s a selection of key players who are tipped to make big splashes this season.
Arsenal — Rosa Kafaji
By Liberty Simons (@libertysimons)
It is objectively hard to choose between Arsenal’s summer signings as to who will be the standout. All add to what the squad was crying out for in the past few seasons. Whilst Mariona Caldentey brings the experience of a seasoned winner, it is hard to look past Rosa Kafaji as the one to watch.
In just her first two appearances for Arsenal, Kafaji has shown what she brings to the side. Instinctive and creative, she works best with the ball at her feet. Weaving around defenders, she builds play smoothly and unpredictably. Her forward-thinking means she works instinctively in attack, to push forward towards goal fast.
Last season, the Champions League saw her deadly finish. As in all aspects of her game, she is creative in front of goal, finishing an array of styles. Young, ambitious on the pitch, and creative in everything she does, Kafaji is what Arsenal have been craving. She has already shown just how priceless she could be in North London.
Aston Villa — Adriana Leon
By Kara Cutshaw (@KCuts10)
As the start of the WSL season dawns, the talk has begun on players who will have an impact this season. For Aston Villa, that player is Adriana Leon.
Leon signed for the Villans last season and was able to add to the scoresheet rather quickly. Finishing the season with five goals and five assists within an 18-match run, Leon has begun to settle her way nicely into the squad.
Following the preseason play, Leon looked to be in her prime — tacking on the only goal in the fixture against Real Betis after coming onto the pitch in the second half. This instant impact is why she is one to watch when facing Aston Villa this season. The team looks to be on the verge of contention this season with multiple players ready to do whatever is needed to take Aston Villa higher in the standings.
Brighton — Bruna Vilamala
By Laura Busto Chavala (@laurabusto_)
Over the summer transfer window, Bruna Vilamala signed for Brighton and Hove Albion on loan for the whole season. The 22-year-old can play in all forward positions, however she performs best operating as a striker. Vilamala can score goals, having netted 24 in 71 matches in Barcelona, but she also creates opportunities for her teammates.
She found the project she was looking for on the seafront as she joined Dario Vidosic’s side. The Catalan could be a sensation for Brighton, where she will link up with her former teammate Vicky Losada.
First session done! 🫡 @brunavilamala 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/ZalS1tkaKo
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) August 26, 2024
Chelsea — Aggie Beever-Jones
By Maisie McNulty (@Maisie_a_m1)
Aggie Beever-Jones grew up in the Chelsea Academy and continues to climb the ranks. After spending previous seasons on loan, the young forward made an incredible run in Chelsea’s first team. The Blues’ ‘Super Sub’ was the nickname the 20-year-old youngster was given after coming off the bench and scoring in three consecutive games.
Her outstanding start to the season led to a nomination for the November Women’s Super League Player of the Month. She ended her breakthrough season as the team’s second-highest scorer with 13 goals from 10 starts and 21 substitute appearances in all competitions. As well as winning young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.
With the 2024/25 season upon us, Beever-Jones is certainly a player to look out for. To end the pre-season, she scored a hat-trick against Feyenoord, showcasing how ready she is for the season to come.
Crystal Palace — Shanade Hopcroft
To be successful in the WSL, a team must have a strong midfield, and the player to look for in the Palace midfield is Shanade Hopcroft. The 27-year-old England national was the heart of the Palace engine room last season during their run to promotion. For the year, she tallied six goals and three assists for the high-powered Eagles’ offence. Her presence extends far past the scoresheet, with her teammates realising that they are a better side when Hopcroft is on the pitch. They voted her as the Players’ Player of the Year last season, a testament to her importance to the team.
A strong box-to-box player, she leads the attack and tracks back on defence. Hopcroft has always been an offensive-minded player, posting terrific numbers throughout her collegiate career in the United States. Now, she is in the prime of her football career, and Crystal Palace will benefit greatly from this. A terrific signing last summer, she has fit in seamlessly with the Eagle’s high-flying style. As Palace begin their maiden voyage in the WSL, Shanade Hopcroft will steer the ship. Behind her play-making skills and ability to control the pitch, Palace has a leader that can guide them to success in the WSL.
Everton — Toni Payne
By Emmanuel Faith (@themmanuelfaith)
With 30 goals and 17 assists in 150 appearances across five seasons, Toni Payne is bringing a lot of experience to Merseyside. The Nigerian joined Everton during the transfer window and she will be a one to watch out for this season. An adjective that describes Payne is versatile. Fastidious and prolific, her ability to play as a left and right-winger, attacking midfielder or supporting striker makes her a huge addition to any team she finds herself with. A trait Everton will be looking to explore.
Payne is adept with her feet, a comfortable dribbler and can operate in tight spaces when required. She also has eagle eyes with ambitious passes. Her assist for Asisat Oshoala at the 2023 World Cup is a glimpse of how adventurous she can be with her creativity.
There has been a paucity of African talent in the WSL in recent years, however, the addition of Payne for Everton and Tanzania’s whiz-kid, Aisha Masaka for Brighton means that fans of the African game can look forward to watching the league again. If there is someone who can put up a show, it’s the dazzling Nigerian midfielder. The young talent could certainly be one to watch over the coming months.
Leicester City — Jutta Rantala
By Lucy Jones (@LJones_Archive)
Leicester City signed Finnish international Jutta Rantala from Swedish side Vittsjo GIK in 2023. The forward set the WSL and Cup competitions alight, with her direct attacking play and confidence in striking from distance. Alongside her teammates, she experienced almost reaching the FA Cup final, hitting a wonder strike in the semi-final against Tottenham. Along with Leicester fans, she will be hoping to do more of the same in the 2024/25 season and build on her six goals and five assists from her debut WSL campaign.
The forward enjoys finding space on the edge of the box and excites Leicester fans with her direct shot taking, something that Leicester will be looking to continue utilising, and no doubt hope she continues to settle well in this league. If she hits these numbers again, and depending on Leicester City’s league position and cup exploits this season, she could be in for a big move having made such an impact in the WSL already.
Liverpool — Mia Enderby
By Chloe McReynolds (@ChloeM777)
After an impressive 2023/24 season, Liverpool will want to continue to improve and push to break into the top three of the Women’s Super League.
One of the emerging talents of last season was England youth international Mia Enderby. Signed from Sheffield in the summer of 2023, Enderby stepped up to the WSL by joining the Reds. A forward with pace, flair and confidence, she has much potential to offer the Merseysiders.
In 2023/24, she scored once and assisted twice across 20 appearances. She was awarded Goal of the Season for her strike against Man City – a solo run with a superb bit of individual skill. The No.13 also progressed in her international career this year, making an impact at the U19 Euros. She secured two goals and an assist in three games in the U19 Euros.
In one group game, she won and scored a penalty to equalise against Serbia. In the final group game, she provided an assist, helping her country reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Then, in the semi-finals, she made a great impact off the bench, scoring within minutes.
All signs suggest that she could be ready to hit the ground running this season and better her promising first season in the top tier.
Manchester City — Ayaka Yamashita
By Bethany Fisher (@bethanyfisher23)
Amidst a raft of new summer signings, Manchester City welcomed Ayaka Yamashita to the City Football Academy. The goalkeeper joined Gareth Taylor’s side on a three-year deal from INAC Kobe Lionesses. Enjoying a standout pre-season campaign, the No.31 will provide the Sky Blues with vital depth in the goalkeeping department.
Taylor’s side was forced to rely on young star Khiara Keating for much of the 2023/24 campaign with Ellie Roebuck and Sandy MacIver unable to play through injury and illness. Naturally confident with the ball at her feet, Yamashita’s ability to play in a high-possession system will be pivotal for Manchester City.
Manchester United — Elisabeth Terland
By Rob Pratley (@Journalism_rp)
Elisabeth Terland was one of the WSL’s most promising stars outside the ‘Big Four’ last season. A move northwards to Manchester United could be the catalyst to take Terland from a good young talent to a world-class player. Her physicality had already made her a match for most defenders in the Women’s Super League and her ability to shoot accurately and powerfully from anywhere within 30 yards has made her a prized commodity.
At United, she is likely to find a side able to dominate possession more frequently than the Brighton teams she has played in, which relied on swift counter-attacks. Consequently, she can expect to have a lot more chances inside the box and this should present her with a strong chance to better her 13-goal tally from the previous year.
Terland has a very high shot volume, placing in the 83rd percentile according to fbref.com in terms of non-penalty goals, her score of 0.66 per 90 leaves her in an impressive 87th percentile. She is very much a finisher, however, and United will need to play to those strengths in order to get the most out of her.
Terland is certainly one to watch this season. If the Norwegian striker does click in her new surroundings, she offers a new more direct dimension to the United attack and may finally fill the void created by the departure of Alessia Russo 12 months ago.
Tottenham Hotspur — Ella Morris
By Beth McCowen (@bethrmccowen)
This summer, Robert Vilahamn’s Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Ella Morris to their ranks on a three-year deal. Previously a key player for Southampton, Morris rose through the ranks at her former club from the age of 14. She went on to help them earn promotion to the Championship following a dominant 2021/22 season in the FA Women’s National League South. Morris made 117 appearances for the Saints and scored 14 goals.
Away from club football, Morris has also made her mark on England’s youth set-up. The move to the Women’s Super League sees her take a step closer to the top level of international football. Morris defined her three best footballing attributes as ‘Speed, determination, and front-footer’ in an interview with her new club.
Morris is sure to have an impact on Vilahamn’s backline. Her proactiveness going forward alongside her relentlessness in defence makes her a threat to any opposition. Morris’ energy and excellence on the ball will likely see her become a prominent figure at Spurs. With a bright future ahead of her, she will chase a senior England call-up alongside her competitive new endeavours.
West Ham — Viviane Asseyi
By Rick Pytlik (@rickpytlik)
Following a disappointing 2023/24 season, West Ham have great strides to make to avoid relegation this year. The side needs to figure out how to put the ball in the net with some regularity, and the player to do that is Viviane Asseyi.
The Irons’ offence was anaemic last year. The side scored only 20 goals in 22 league matches, tied for worst in the league. West Ham are desperate for a scoring spark, and Asseyi could provide it for them. Of the 20 goals West Ham tallied last year, Asseyi scored six of them. Look for her to shoulder the load again this season. At 30 years old, the French international is in her prime and is always a legitimate scoring threat. She is very strong on the ball and difficult to dispossess.
Viviane Asseyi could very well prove to be the difference between West Ham staying up or being relegated this season. The Hammers will need her to drive their offence and score on the regular. Their future in the WSL may depend on it.
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Chelsea summer transfers: What Sonia Bompastor’s new signings can offer
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