Rate every WSL club's summer transfer window

5 days ago 17

Lucy Bronze, Mariona Caldentey and Vivianne Miedema Image source, Getty Images

Image caption,

Manchester City signed WSL record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema (right) after she left Arsenal

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

The Women's Super League's summer transfer window has closed - so who do you think did the best business?

Nine new signings were confirmed in the top flight before Friday's 23:00 BST deadline, with England international Nikita Parris joining Brighton from Manchester United in the day's standout move.

BBC Sport assesses each permanent move made by the 12 WSL clubs this summer - plus have your say on all the ins and outs.

Arsenal

Ins

Rosa Kafaji (Forward, from BK Hacken)

Daphne van Domselaar (Goalkeeper, from Aston Villa)

Sophie Harwood (Midfielder, from Southampton)

Mariona Caldentey (Forward, from Barcelona)

Outs

Vivianne Miedema (Forward, to Manchester City)

Cloe Lacasse (Forward, to Utah Royals)

Gio Queiroz (Forward, to Atletico Madrid)

Gesa Marashi (Midfielder, to London City Lionesses)

Sabrina D'Angelo (Goalkeeper, to Aston Villa)

Kaylan Marckese (Goalkeeper, to Tampa Bay Sun)

Allowing Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema, 28, to leave on a free transfer to a WSL rival was foolish business but Arsenal responded by making some strong signings.

Spain winger Mariona Caldentey’s arrival from Barcelona was a scoop and the 28-year-old takes them to another level, while 21-year-old Sweden forward Rosa Kafaji is another exciting attacking talent. They have also improved their goalkeeping options with Netherlands international Daphne van Domselaar coming from Aston Villa.

I think it's been a pretty strong window from Arsenal, who have improved their starting XI.

Aston Villa

Ins

Chasity Grant (Forward, from Ajax)

Missy Bo Kearns (Midfielder, from Liverpool)

Gabi Nunes (Forward, from Levante)

Paula Tomas (Defender, from Levante)

Sabrina D'Angelo (Goalkeeper, from Arsenal)

Miri Taylor (Midfielder, from Liverpool)

Katie Robinson (Forward, from Brighton)

Outs

Daphne van Domselaar (Goalkeeper, to Arsenal)

Alisha Lehmann (Forward, to Juventus)

Simone Magill (Forward, to Birmingham City)

Olivia McLoughlin (Midfielder, to Rangers)

Big spenders. There can be no doubting Villa's ambitions this season with the money they have spent in the transfer window.

English midfielder Missy Bo Kearns improves their depth, while Brazil forward Gabi Nunes is an exciting attacking addition.

However, losing Netherlands goalkeeper Van Domselaar was a blow and will hurt them despite bringing in Canada's Sabrina D’Angelo. Overall, an intriguing window that will raise expectations.

Brighton

Ins

Nikita Parris (Forward, from Manchester United)

Fran Kirby (Midfielder, from Chelsea)

Jelena Cankovic (Midfielder, from Chelsea)

Marisa Olislagers (Defender, from FC Twente)

Aisha Masaka (Forward, from BK Hacken)

Bex Rayner (Midfielder, from Sheffield United)

Hannah Poulter (Goalkeeper, free agent)

Rachel McLauchlan (Defender, from Rangers)

Marit Auee (Defender, from FC Twente)

Kiko Seike (Forward, from Urawa Red Diamonds)

Outs

Elisabeth Terland (Forward, to Manchester United)

Julia Zigiotti (Forward, to Bayern Munich)

Emma Kullberg (Defender, to Juventus)

Veatriki Sarri (Midfielder, to Everton)

Katie Robinson (Midfielder, to Aston Villa)

Tatiana Pinto (Midfielder, to Atletico Madrid)

Lee Geum-min (Forward, to Birmingham City)

Brighton never have a quiet transfer window. Once again, they have made wholesale changes.

The departures of England winger Katie Robinson, Sweden midfielder Julia Zigiotti and Norwegian top-scorer Elisabeth Terland, among others, were damaging.

But they have recruited very well in response with 31-year-old England international Fran Kirby's arrival a huge statement, before they picked up England and Manchester United forward Nikita Parris, 30, on deadline day.

New manager Dario Vidosic has a lot to do to gel the squad before the season starts but there is plenty of talent to work with.

Chelsea

Ins

Lucy Bronze (Defender, from Barcelona)

Sandy Baltimore (Forward, from Paris St-Germain)

Maelys Mpome (Defender, from Montpellier)

Julia Bartel (Midfielder, from Barcelona)

Oriane Jean-Francois (Midfielder, from Paris St-Germain)

Louna Ribadeira (Forward, from Paris FC)

Veerle Buurman (Defender, from PSV Eindhoven)

Outs

Emily Orman (Goalkeeper, to London City Lionesses)

Jelena Cankovic (Midfielder, to Brighton)

Katerina Svitkova (Midfielder, to Slavia Prague)

Jess Carter (Midfielder, to NY/NJ Gotham)

Nicky Evrard (Goalkeeper, to PSV Eindhoven)

Amelia Ajao (Forward, to London City Lionesses)

Melanie Leupolz (Midfielder, to Real Madrid)

Maren Mjelde (Defender, to Arna-Bjornar)

Fran Kirby (Midfielder, to Brighton)

Reanna Blades (Forward, free agent)

Alsu Abdullina (Defender, free agent)

Ann-Katrin Berger (Goalkeeper, to NY/NJ Gotham)

Chelsea's business was completed early and having dominated for so long, they did not need too many additions.

France winger Sandy Baltimore and 32-year-old England defender Lucy Bronze are big-name signings who will improve their depth and they will welcome back Australia striker Sam Kerr from her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury this season too.

The champions moved on a lot of players to reduce the squad size which was helpful but new boss Sonia Bompastor might feel she needs more in midfield.

Crystal Palace

Ins

My Cato (Midfielder, from IFK Norrkoping)

Milla-Maj Majasaari (Goalkeeper, from Anderlecht)

Mille Gejl (Forward, from North Carolina Courage)

Ashleigh Weerden (Forward, from Ajax)

Indiah-Page Riley (Forward, from PSV Eindhoven)

Shae Yanez (Goalkeeper, from Bristol City)

Katrine Veje (Defender, from Everton)

Josie Green (Midfielder, from Leicester)

Katie Stengel (Forward, from NJ/NY Gotham FC)

Outs

Ellie Noble (Midfielder, to Blackburn)

Polly Doran (Defender, to Linkoping)

Kirsten Reilly (Midfielder, free agent)

Fran Kitching (Goalkeeper, free agent)

Natalia Negri (Goalkeeper, free agent)

Shauna Guyatt (Midfielder, free agent)

The step up to the WSL is a big one for Crystal Palace so it was no surprise to see they were busy in the market and it was encouraging how much business they were able to do.

Denmark defender Katrine Veje from Everton and Finnish goalkeeper Milla-Maj Majasaari from Anderlecht are particularly shrewd additions, while they brought in some good young players on loan.

However, they still lack WSL experience within the squad so will they have enough?

Everton

Ins

Inma Gabarro (Forward, from Sevilla)

Toni Payne (Forward, from Sevilla)

Veatriki Sarri (Midfielder, from Brighton)

Melissa Lawley (Forward, from Liverpool)

Honoka Hayashi (Midfielder, from West Ham)

Outs

Martina Piemonte (Forward, to Lazio)

Katrine Veje (Defender, to Crystal Palace)

Eleanor Dale (Forward, to Sunderland)

Hanna Bennison (Midfielder, to Juventus)

Toni Duggan (Forward, free agent)

Everton's financial troubles are well known so they were always going to be in for a battle in the transfer window.

They lost Sweden midfielder Hanna Bennison to Juventus and allowed Italian forward Martina Piemonte to leave after an underwhelming spell in Merseyside.

However, Brian Sorensen has been able to bring in some good players including Spain's Inma Gabarro and West Ham's Japan midfielder Honoka Hayashi on a free transfer.

If they avoid an injury crisis like last season, they should be OK but their squad isn't as strong as others in the league.

Leicester City

Ins

Shana Chossenotte (Forward, from Reims)

Noemie Mouchon (Forward, from Reims)

Ruby Mace (Midfielder, from Manchester City)

Sari Kees (Defender, from Leuven)

Chantelle Swaby (Defender, from Fleury)

Asmita Ale (Defender, from Tottenham)

Outs

Ava Baker (Midfielder, to Birmingham City)

Josie Green (Midfielder, to Crystal Palace)

Remy Siemsen (Forward, to Kristianstads)

Aimee Palmer (Midfielder, to Southampton)

Monique Robinson (Midfielder, to Sheffield United)

Demi Lambourne (Goalkeeper, to Sunderland)

Under new manager Amandine Miquel, Leicester have dipped into the French market for this summer's transfer window.

They have added strength in depth, as well as bringing in young talent such as England youth internationals Ruby Mace from Manchester City and Asmita Ale from Tottenham on permanent deals.

I'm intrigued to see how they get on. Their business has gone under the radar.

Liverpool

Ins

Olivia Smith (Forward, from Sporting Lisbon)

Gemma Evans (Defender, from Manchester United)

Cornelia Kapocs (Forward, from Linkoping)

Outs

Holly McEvoy (Midfielder, to Aberdeen)

Missy Bo Kearns (Midfielder, to Aston Villa)

Shanice van de Sanden (Forward, to Pachuca)

Melissa Lawley (Forward, to Everton)

Miri Taylor (Midfielder, to Aston Villa)

Emma Koivisto (Defender, to AC Milan)

Natasha Flint (Forward, to Tampa Bay Sun)

Liverpool were always expected to have a quiet window but have they been too quiet?

The departure of Finland right-back Emma Koivisto raised eyebrows and they have not replaced her, instead promoting academy graduate Lucy Parry and signing versatile Wales defender Gemma Evans from Manchester United.

They did break their transfer record by signing for Canadian international Olivia Smith, 19, and Sweden's Cornelia Kapocs could be another exciting young talent - but I still think they need more reinforcements in defence.

Manchester City

Ins

Naomi Layzell (Defender, from Bristol City)

Ayaka Yamashita (Goalkeeper, from INAC Kobe)

Eve Annets (Goalkeeper, from Reading)

Aoba Fujino (Forward, from Tokyo Verdy)

Risa Shimizu (Defender, from West Ham)

Vivianne Miedema (Forward, from Arsenal)

Katie Startup (Goalkeeper, from Brighton)

Outs

Emma Siddall (Defender, to Burnley)

Annie Hutchins (Midfielder, to Portsmouth)

Ruby Mace (Midfielder, to Leicester)

Demi Stokes (Defender, to Newcastle)

Filippa Angeldahl (Midfielder, to Real Madrid)

Ellie Roebuck (Goalkeeper, to Barcelona)

Esme Morgan (Defender, to Washington Spirit)

It's been a strong window from Manchester City.

As well as welcoming Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord back from an ACL injury this season, they have added compatriot Miedema and Japan striker Aoba Fujino to an already terrifying frontline.

Risa Shimizu's arrival from West Ham was another great piece of business but they have been dealt a blow as she will miss most of the season with an ACL injury picked up during the Olympics.

There were plenty of departures but City have more than enough in their squad and will be right up there in the title challenge.

Manchester United

Ins

Celin Bizet (Forward, from Tottenham)

Simi Awujo (Midfielder, from University of Southern California)

Anna Sandberg (Defender, from BK Hacken)

Elisabeth Terland (Forward, from Brighton)

Melvine Malard (Forward, from Lyon)

Dominique Janssen (Defender, from Wolfsburg)

Outs

Gemma Evans (Defender, to Liverpool)

Katie Zelem (Midfielder, to Angel City)

Mary Earps (Goalkeeper, to Paris St-Germain)

Lucia Garcia (Forward, to Monterrey)

Irene Guerrero (Midfielder, to Club America)

Holly Deering (Midfielder, to Liverpool Feds)

Layla Proctor (Midfielder, to Lewes)

Nikita Parris (Forward, to Brighton)

United were criticised at the start of the window when England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Spain forward Lucia Garcia and captain Katie Zelem left.

But they have recruited well in response. Netherlands defender Dominique Janssen from Wolfsburg will improve their defence, while Norwegians Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet boost their attacking threat.

Losing last season's top scorer Nikita Parris on deadline day is disappointing but United were smart by triggering her option clause to ensure they received a fee when she moved to Brighton.

Overall, I think it's been a good window from United.

Tottenham Hotspur

Ins

Hayley Raso (Forward, from Real Madrid)

Amanda Nilden (Defender, from Juventus)

Clare Hunt (Defender, from Paris St-Germain)

Ella Morris (Defender, from Southampton)

Anna Csiki (Midfielder, from BK Hacken)

Maite Oroz (Midfielder, from Real Madrid)

Outs

Celin Bizet (Forward, to Manchester United)

Barbora Votikova (Goalkeeper, to Slavia Prague)

Shelina Zadorsky (Defender, to West Ham

Ellie Brazil (Forward, to Charlton)

Asmita Ale (Defender, to Leicester)

Gracie Pearse (Defender, to Charlton)

Nikola Karczewska (Foward, to AC Milan)

Ria Percival (Defender, free agent)

Ramona Petzelberger (Midfielder, free agent)

Tottenham have had an underwhelming transfer window, losing key players such as Norway forward Bizet and 21-year-old England midfielder Grace Clinton - the latter returning to United after the end of her loan agreement.

Both were instrumental last season and will be hard to replace. Australian Hayley Raso is a good addition and they have made Sweden defender Amanda Nilden's move from Juventus permanent.

But I don't think Tottenham have improved their squad enough to challenge last season's top five.

West Ham United

Ins

Manuela Pavi (Forward, from Deportivo Cali)

Camila Saez (Defender, from Madrid CFF)

Kinga Szemik (Goalkeeper, from Reims)

Shelina Zadorsky (Defender, from Tottenham)

Seraina Piubel (Midfielder, from FC Zurich)

Oona Siren (Midfielder, from LSK Kvinner)

Outs

Emma Snerle (Midfielder, to Fiorentina)

Hawa Cissoko (Defender, to Roma)

Honoka Hayashi (Midfielder, to Everton)

Mel Filis (Midfielder, to Charlton)

Risa Shimizu (Defender, to Manchester City)

Abbey-Leigh Stringer (Midfielder, to DC Power)

Mackenzie Arnold (Goalkeeper, to Portland Thorns)

It's been another challenging summer for West Ham, who keep losing their best players on the expiry of their contracts without making any money.

Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and French defender Hawa Cissoko, who were captains, both left, alongside Japan duo Risa Shimizu and Honoka Hayashi – all four were regular starters last season.

They have managed to get a few signings over the line to try to replace them but I don't think it will be enough and they will struggle.

Read Entire Article