WSL switch window winners and losers: Who had the most effective summer season?

The Women’s Super League switch window has formally closed forward of the 2024-25 season, with the deadline passing at 11 p.m. BST (6 p.m. ET) on Friday. Although the window stays open in different European leagues for just a few extra days, the 12 WSL groups have finalised their squads for the upcoming marketing campaign.

Some golf equipment acted swiftly, securing key signings early to kickstart their preparations, whereas others gambled on late strikes and missed out. A couple of groups scrambled for last-minute offers to cowl accidents, and lower-table golf equipment stretched tight budgets to maintain tempo with large spenders comparable to Arsenal and Chelsea. The window noticed a flurry of high-profile strikes, and the stress is on to see how these transfers will form the season.

With 4 golf equipment below new managers, together with titleholders Chelsea, who’re below the steering of former Lyon supervisor Sonia Bompastor, groups have a contemporary look and the brand new season guarantees to be extremely aggressive.

As we shut the e-book on this eventful window, let’s break down the winners and losers — those that nailed their recruitment technique and people nonetheless left with gaps to fill.

Winners

ARSENAL

Arsenal wasted no time in securing a marquee signing, bringing in Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona on a free switch.

Famend for her versatility and scientific ending, the Spain worldwide immediately elevated the workforce’s attacking prowess. Caldentey’s means to seamlessly adapt throughout the ahead line has made a major affect, propelling the Gunners to the next degree of play.

Her affect was rapid, enjoying a vital function in Arsenal’s development to the second spherical of UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers. Together with her arrival, Arsenal have despatched a transparent message about their intent to problem and overthrow Chelsea’s dominance within the WSL.

MARC SKINNER

Amid the turbulence at Manchester United, supervisor Skinner masterminded a outstanding switch window, securing pivotal signings Elisabeth Terland, Anna Sandberg, and Dominique Janssen.

These acquisitions have injected contemporary expertise and power into the squad. Regardless of the off-pitch points, this switch window stands out as one of many most interesting within the WSL this summer season, with every participant bringing expertise and talent.

The flexibility to draw such top-tier expertise amid the chaos speaks volumes concerning the membership’s ambitions, marking this window as a major turning level for Manchester United.

EVERTON

Regardless of Everton’s monetary challenges, supervisor Brian Sorensen has executed a masterclass in recruitment.

By securing key signings Toni Payne, Inma Gabarro, Honoka Hayashi and Veatriki Sarri, Everton has strengthened in essential areas all inside a stringent funds.

These signings not solely deliver high quality and depth but additionally handle the membership’s must keep away from final season’s harm woes. Sorensen’s astute investments have injected versatility and resilience into the workforce.

CHELSEA

Below new supervisor Bompastor, the WSL champions are poised for a dynamic transformation.

The Frenchwoman was wanting to reshape the seven-time winners. A number of stalwarts departed the membership, however this has been countered by a mix of promising younger expertise and seasoned expertise becoming a member of the facet, notably signing right-back Lucy Bronze from Barcelona.

Infusing her personal imaginative and prescient and leveraging her experience with rising gamers, Bompastor has crafted a world-class squad. With a roster brimming with worldwide stars and a contemporary drive to excel, Chelsea has the expertise and depth to problem fiercely in each the WSL and Champions League.

WSL RECORD FEES

With Olivia Smith commanding a document payment to affix Liverpool, Manchester City recruiting three Japan internationals and Ella Morris making the soar to Tottenham Hotspur from Southampton, the WSL has shattered earlier benchmarks.

Only a week earlier than the switch window closed, golf equipment had already spent an astonishing £1.75 million ($2.3m), signaling an unprecedented surge in funding. These high-profile strikes mirror the league’s rising international attraction and aggressive ambition as groups aggressively strengthened their squads to compete for the three coveted Champions League spots and WSL title.

Impartial

DARIO VIDOŠIĆ

The workforce is below new administration and sporting a completely revamped squad.

For the second consecutive season, Brighton & Hove Albion has undergone a major overhaul, with 9 new signings (together with England worldwide Nikita Parris from Manchester United on deadline day changing the 13 gamers who departed (4 on mortgage). Vidošić has reshaped the facet, however the real concern lies in Brighton’s managerial observe document. With six managers in simply two seasons, longevity on the membership is uncommon.

If the Australian coach is given the time to construct, he may unlock the squad’s potential. Nonetheless, with no quick begin, Vidošić would possibly discover himself on a aircraft again Down Below earlier than the season concludes.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Palace have made bold strikes to bridge the hole between the Ladies’s Championship and the WSL.

By securing three promising Chelsea children on mortgage and including Lily Woodham from the Seattle Reign briefly too, supervisor Laura Kaminski is betting on these contemporary skills to maintain tempo with the league’s competitiveness. The enjoying subject is extra aggressive than ever with Premier League backing for all 12 WSL groups.

Nonetheless, the disparity between leagues stays huge, and Palace will want a stable begin to keep their top-flight standing all through the season. The stress is on Kaminski to make sure these new signings can ship early and safe their place within the WSL.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Supervisor Robert Vilahamn confronted a tricky battle to maintain Grace Clinton from returning to Manchester United, however the membership’s resolve was unshakable. In the end, Spurs not solely misplaced Clinton but additionally noticed promising Norwegian winger Celin Bizet Ildhusøy transfer to United as properly, reuniting along with her former teammate.

Whereas Spurs have introduced in Hayley Raso and Maite Oroz from Real Madrid as replacements, together with for the injured Kit Graham, the departure of Clinton and Bizet leaves vital uncertainty.

Their artistic spark was essential final season, and questions loom over how successfully Spurs will compete with out these key attacking skills. The season forward will probably be a difficult one.

Losers

WEST HAM UNITED

After a troublesome season with a youthful squad, West Ham’s troubles persist as they face a serious exodus, shedding six key, seasoned gamers together with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, Japan internationals Risa Shimizu and Honoka Hayashi and standout defender Hawa Cissoko.

In response, supervisor Rehanne Skinner has introduced in principally younger expertise below the age of 27, however the identical problem looms — a obtrusive lack of expertise. Because the 2024-25 season approaches, West Ham’s squad stays untested and juvenile, leaving questions on whether or not the youthful squad can compete with the expertise of the WSL.

ENGLISH MANAGERS

Spare a thought for the English managers. The panorama of administration within the WSL has shifted dramatically.

With former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes now on the helm of the United States women’s national team and former Aston Villa supervisor Carla Ward stepping away from teaching for now, solely 4 English managers stay within the league. Amongst them are Liverpool’s Matt Beard, Manchester United’s Marc Skinner, West Ham’s Rehanne Skinner and Kaminski at newly promoted Crystal Palace.

This altering of the guard alerts a brand new period within the WSL, the place English teaching illustration is dwindling, however the league’s variety and continues to develop.

KEIRA WALSH

In line with ESPN sources, Walsh has been eager on a return to the WSL since final season. Nonetheless, Barcelona stays agency of their stance, refusing to half with their star midfielder.

Walsh, a pivotal determine within the squad, must wait till subsequent summer season — when she turns into a free agent — if she hopes to safe a transfer again to England. Except a breakthrough is made within the January switch window, the proficient playmaker’s plan of rejoining the WSL stays on maintain.

BK HÄCKEN

The WSL has stripped a big portion of the Swedish facet’s beginning lineup from final season, leaving them with out vital expertise. Arsenal swooped in for rising star Rosa Kafaji, Anna Sandberg joined Manchester United, Anna Csiki signed with Tottenham and Aisha Masaka headed to Brighton.

Because the Swedish workforce finds itself midseason, they now face the daunting problem of filling the void left by these key departures. With so many pivotal gamers gone, the workforce is left rinsed of seasoned gamers forward of going through Arsenal within the second spherical of Champions League qualifiers subsequent week.