What happened last season for both Manchester City and Chelsea?

Losses to both open and conclude the 22/23 WSL campaign for Manchester City saw them finish in 4th place, with no trophies to their name in any of the competitions they had participated in. Whilst Chelsea Women produced yet another incredible campaign under Emma Hayes, winning their fourth consecutive WSL title and also securing their third consecutive FA Cup. Although the West Londoners mostly dominated domestically, Arsenal stopped them completing the domestic treble by beating the Blues 3-1 to win the Continental Cup at Selhurst Park. The Blues also showcased the impressive quality of women’s football in England on the European stage, as they reached the final of the Champions League. 

However a 4-0 loss to Barcelona, which was undeniably a first half pasting, was to severely dampen Chelsea spirits, as their hopes of winning the elusive Champions League title were snatched from them by a ruthless Barcelona side. The Catalan giants, whose side included later named Ballon D’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, proved their superiority over England’s finest women’s side, raising question marks as to whether Chelsea can indeed conquer Europe…

This season

As we speak, I am watching Manchester City Women take on Liverpool in the WSL, with the Cityzens 4-1 up in 84th minute. This impressive performance from City is one of countless that we have seen from them this season, as Manchester City look set to fight for the WSL title until the very end. Chelsea are- unsurprisingly so- the other side who are tussling for the title, the team of which have already booked themselves a spot in the Continental Cup final, FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League semi-finals.

The last of which has caused the most anticipation following confirmation, as Emma Hayes’ side will face their former foe, Barcelona Women, over two legs on 20th and 27th April respectively. If Chelsea manage to overcome the Spanish side, they will have to beat either Lyon or PSG in the final in order to secure European glory. 

So whilst Chelsea are hunting down an unprecedented quadruple which would finally solidify themselves in the European hall of fame, Gareth Taylor’s side have all their sights set on winning their first WSL title since 2016. The difference in games left to play could indeed favour the Sky Blues, as Chelsea have nine, potentially 10, games left to play, whilst Manchester City only have four matches remaining.

Chelsea dominate despite squad changes

Emma Hayes’ side just do not drop their standards, despite ringing the changes off the back of a successful previous 22/23 season. Prolific striker Pernille Harder, who suffered a hamstring injury which caused her to be sidelined for the overwhelming majority of the 22/23 season, departed the club ahead of the 23/24 campaign. Her partner and Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson also chose to depart ways with the Blues, as both announced they were signing for Frauen-Bundesliga side, Bayern Munich.  

With two instrumental players and leaders gone, some were beginning to question whether Chelsea were still capable of winning a record fifth consecutive WSL title and wondered whether Europe was just a step too far for Emma Hayes’ side.

However whilst players departed the club, Emma Hayes’ side were bolstered by the return of club legend and midfield maestro, Fran Kirby. Kirby had been out for 13 months from the autumn of 2022 to 2023 following knee surgery. Although Kirby only featured from the bench for the first few games of the 23/24 WSL campaign, her much missed presence in the matchday squad was only to strengthen the Chelsea side as she has become more and more influential in their matches throughout the season.

The increasingly frequent inclusion of talented youngsters Aggie Beever Jones and Sjoeke Nusken in the Chelsea set-up from the beginning of the season has also added a new dynamic to the side. Simply put, Nusken is one of the players of the moment. The young German international, who signed in the summer ahead of the current season, has recently scored two important goals in two games, having previously played at centre-back and helped to  keep a clean sheet in those games.

Whilst the 23 year old has contributed both 10 goals and versatility to her side, 20 year old left winger Beever-Jones scored five goals in five games during October and November 2023. Her third- away at Everton- was a particularly impressive strike, with Beever-Jones’ attacking contributions winning herself the Barclays WSL Player of the Month for November.

Undeniably though, Lauren James has been the biggest star for the Chelsea team this campaign, building on her impressive 22/23 breakout display in a Chelsea shirt. Eight goals in 33 games in 22/23 has been doubled by James this time around in five games less (16 goals in 28 games). Some of her performances have been particularly outstanding, with Stamford Bridge proving to be a catalyst for some of James’ best displays.

With James taking the reins for her side throughout the season, the absence of Australian star striker Sam Kerr hasn’t seemed to have affected the side as greatly as anticipated. In fact Kerr’s absence has almost gone unnoticed, as the West Londoners are still competing in all four competitions. This is of course something to be recognised and applauded, as if it had instead been Manchester City striker and WSL top scorer Khadijia Shaw who had been injured, it would arguably have ended the Cityzens’ title challenge. This certainly highlights the strength in depth Chelsea have, along with James’ incredible ability to rise to the occasion. 

The form of which Kerr’s injury came in was of course a topic of conversation as fans and players alike expressed their devastation at yet another top player being struck down by the dreaded ACL injury. Kerr is set to miss the Olympics in Paris where her national team will compete for Olympic Gold, whilst all football fans are just hoping she has a smooth rehabilitation ride and is back on the pitch as soon as possible.

From having the blues to singing the blues, what’s changed for Manchester City?

From the side which failed to qualify for the Champions League Group Stage, finished an underwhelming fourth in the WSL and couldn’t lay claim on either the FA and Continental Cup, to the team which is now four games away from potentially winning the WSL title, what changed for this to happen?

Before the underwhelming 22/23 campaign started, Manchester City experienced an exodus, where nine of their players departed the club. WSL and Manchester City veterans Karen Bardsley, Jill Scott, Ellen White, Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh all departed, with established players Janine Becker, Karima Benameur Taieb, Caroline Weir and Georgia Stanway joining them. In response, City signed a multitude of high profile players: Kerstin Casperij, Mary Fowler, Khadija Shaw, Alanna Kennedy, Deyna Castellanos, Leila Ouahabi, Filippa Angeldahl, Leila Aleixandri and Julie Blakstad.

The squad started the campaign with two consecutive WSL losses to Aston Villa and Chelsea, with the latter of the two an early sign of a gulf between the two in their understanding and general connections on the pitch. The season labelled as ‘transitional’ for the club was viewed by many as not where City should be aiming to be. However, finishing fourth in the table and level on points with Arsenal certainly weren’t things for the club to be too disappointed about.

In just her first season competing in England, Khadija Shaw proved her world-class quality with 31 goals in all competitions. She achieved that tally in just 30 matches, meaning she found the net at a rate greater than once per game. When you also add nine assists onto that total, her overall goal involvements for the campaign stand at an incredible 40. 

Shaw has continued her fine form this season, with the team as a whole seeming to be much more cohesive and understanding of each other’s game. For example, over the course of this season and the last City’s defence has strengthened significantly, with either Leila Aleixandri or Alanna Kennedy partnering Alex Greenwood at centre-back. This partnership has shut out forward after forward this season, meaning Gareth Taylor’s side have only conceded 12 goals- the lowest tally in the WSL. Aleixandri also features as left back if not at centre back alongside Greenwood, with Esme Morgan gaining invaluable experience this season at right back. Morgan’s performances have earned herself a call up for the Lionesses’ camp, as they prepare to face Sweden and Republic of Ireland on 5th and 9th April.

The double addition of Dutch international Jill Roord and Japanese midfielder Yui Hasegawa in the summer of 2023 were set to only bolster City’s title chances ahead of the 23/24 campaign. Unfortunately though for Manchester City and the WSL, in-form Roord was to succumb to the horrible ACL injury in January.  On the other hand, Hasegawa has proven to be influential for City, regaining possession for her side and partaking in attacks. 

The return of loanee and talented youngster Jess Park has meant City have hit higher heights this season, with Park’s confidence and raw talent shining through. Her countless jinxing runs into the box for City, along with her incredible ability to take on the shot from long range, leaves defenders almost fearful to engage with her. Park combines particularly well with fellow Lioness Lauren Hemp, with both of them proving themselves to be undroppable from Gareth Taylor’s starting XI. Park has three goals and four assists to her name this season, with Hemp on 14 goals and four assists. 

Australian international Mary Fowler has also started to bloom for Manchester City, with her influential performances meaning fellow City winger Chloe Kelly is now a regular substitute. For all of City’s attacking talent, Gareth Taylor’s change in goalkeeper from Ellie Roebuck to Khiara Keating at the end of the 22/23 season has been a particularly crucial one. 19 year old Keating has produced numerous outstanding saves both on the stretch and with her reflexes this season. Along with her shot-stop prowess, Keating’s distribution and calmness on the ball have also been noted as impressive qualities she displays. With Keating being in goal for the entirety of the 23/24 season so far, this has meant that any shot from the opposition has had to possess a particular level of brilliance in order to find the back of the net.

Since City’s impressive 3-1 win with 10 players against Manchester United at Old Trafford in November, Taylor’s side has won a phenomenal 12 consecutive WSL fixtures. If this fine run of form continues for the remaining four games of the season then Manchester City could certainly clinch the WSL title. However, the Chelsea juggernaut with Hayes and James at the forefront is bearing down on the title too, with goal difference proving to be the only factor separating the two sides for numerous gameweeks now. 

The run in is in full flow and both teams are reaching their peaks, but who will take home the title? Only time will tell…