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The center-back played 10 minutes of Chelsea's clash with Barcelona to mark her first appearance in seven weeks

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Naomi Girma made her second appearance for ChelseaPlayed final 10 minutes of Champions League gameHas only managed 70 minutes since record breaking moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Naomi Girma made just her second appearance for Chelsea since moving from NWSL's San Diego Wave, playing the final 10 minutes of the Blues' Champions League clash with Barcelona. The USWNT star managed 10 minutes in her return, but it didn't help Chelsea's chances as the Spanish side scored twice after she entered the fray to round off a 4-1 win in the first leg of their semifinal.

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Girma has struggled for fitness since moving to London. She was plagued by calf issues when Chelsea signed her for a record $1.1 million in late January, and has seldom seen the pitch since. Her only previous showing was a tidy hour in a 2-2 draw with Brighton on March 2.

DID YOU KNOW?

Girma's move to Chelsea was the most expensive transfer in women's soccer history, the WSL side becoming the first ever club to play over $1 million for a women's player.

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WHAT NEXT FOR GIRMA?

The showing would seem to set the table for further appearances for the center back. Chelsea's next game is a WSL fixture with Crystal Palace on April 23.

He says the backing from the team management has helped “take a bit of pressure off” as he makes a return to India’s squad

Shashank Kishore18-Sep-20225:50

How Harshal Patel has used his injury to become even better

Training without the fear of competition has been liberating for Harshal Patel.Having recovered from a rib injury that ruled him out of the Asia Cup that just finished in the UAE, Harshal is looking forward to life on the road again, which will soon include a maiden World Cup appearance. But first he has to deal with the T20Is against Australia starting on Tuesday in Mohali.Related

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Harshal has spent the past four weeks in rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The first two weeks were spent working on his physical conditioning, before he resumed bowling. One of his key focus areas has been to be ahead of the curve and continue as the X-factor bowler teams yearn for.”I want to be tighter with my execution,” Harshal told ESPNcricinfo in August. “And I achieved that more or less last IPL [19 wickets in 15 matches]. I will continue to strive for that. If I’m bowling one or two bad balls out of 24, [I want to see] if I can completely eliminate that.”You’re not going to be able to do that every single game, but if I can do that in two games out of five, or three games out of five, that will be a goal worth striving for.”Known for his terrific slower balls and a potent dipping yorker, Harshal vaulted to the top of the wicket-taker’s charts at IPL 2021 and has ridden that wave all the way to an India cap last November.Nearly a year on, he’s emerged as a key member of India’s T20I arsenal. The time off due to injury, he believes, has helped him explore different facets of his craft apart from working on their execution, which is the “tougher bit.” Two of those areas are his new-ball bowling and variations in lengths.”I’ve explored a little bit in terms of the lengths I can bowl with the slower ball,” he explained. “Usually when I bowl the slower balls, it’s mainly fuller or at the good length. But now I’ve started bowling more shorter slower balls which are working out very well for me. That’s one thing obviously.”I’ve also been working on my new-ball skills for a while. I started doing that mid-IPL. Just because in the IPL, what I was supposed to do [mainly middle-overs and death bowling], all my skills were top notch, so I didn’t need to work on them.”So, every time I’d go to practice, I’d take a new ball and start bowling with it because it’s good to have a skill and not need it than the other way round,. It’s just something I’ve been working on and if I get an opportunity, for India or for RCB [Royal Challengers Bangalore], I would love to do that.”Harshal is deeply analytical, and challenges himself to keep getting better. That the team management has been clear of what they expect of him has helped, too.Harshal Patel: My ability to bat at No. 8 is something they [team management] really value•Getty ImagesIn the 30 T20s this year, he has bowled 54 overs in the middle phase for 19 wickets at an economy rate of 6.61 and 41.1 overs at the death for 18 wickets at 10.17. In comparison, in the 11 innings where he came on in the first six, he has averaged just one over per game.”They [India coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma] have been nothing but supportive,” Harshal said. “Whatever the team ethos is, they have taken precedence over individuals, which is a great thing.”They told me my role exactly. They said, ‘we want you to be able to bowl in all three phases, not just middle and death’. They’ve been bowling me once at the end of the powerplay every single game just to get used to that.”It isn’t just his bowling that Harshal has been working on. He takes great pride in his ball-striking too. “My ability to bat at No. 8 is something they [team management] really value,” he said.”I have not been working a lot on my batting because of time constraints, because you’re constantly in competition. But during rehab, I’ve had a chance to hit 500-700 balls over two-three weeks. It’s something I’ve wanted to work on for quite a while because I really want to contribute in that capacity as well.”What has helped along the way is clarity of roles and backing from the captain and the coach. Harshal believes this is critical for individuals from a mental standpoint, because it helps in better decision-making, especially when players return from injuries.”It does take a bit of pressure off you,” he said. “Because sometimes people make foolish decisions when they’re returning to play. They’re either trying to do too much or trying to push too hard because they feel that their place is in danger or for whatever reason.”But if you know for a fact the team management will remember what you’ve done prior to getting injured, and those performances and contributions are not forgotten, then that gives you a sense of calm or comfort that once you go back into the team – obviously you will have to perform again and again and that goes for every single cricketer – you know that you will hold that place in the team.”As Harshal looks ahead, the mention of ‘World Cup’ brings a smile to his face. He grew up like any other kid dreaming of playing in one, and in about a month’s time, it will all come true.”Obviously I am super excited,” he said. “I will get nervous at some point, but at this point of time, I’m just excited. The two World Cups India have won in 2007 and 2011, I vividly remember where I was and what I was doing.”After we won the World Cup, like every kid, we took our scooters and went onto the roads to dance and jump and shout. It would be great if I could play and if we end up winning the World Cup, to have that circle completed would be a great feeling. But [right now] it’s going to be a lot of excitement and nervous energy.”

As they look to replace Kyogo Furuhashi, Celtic have reportedly opened talks to sign a former Premier League striker who last hit his best form under Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic transfer news

The Bhoys have already made one reunion happen by welcoming Jota back to Celtic Park following Kyogo’s move to Ligue 1 side Rennes. The winger returns looking to pick up where he left off less than two years on from his frustrating exit to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. With plenty of making up to do, he must hit the ground running.

Speaking to Celtic TV after putting pen to paper on a sensational return, Jota said: “The best thing in Glasgow, besides Celtic obviously, is the people, and I feel like I need a place with soul, where I feel at home. This is definitely something I was looking for, and I think there is no better match than Celtic.

“I’m so excited. The last year and a half has had its ups and downs, but that’s life and that’s how football is. Now, I just can’t wait to work hard, to get along with the lads again and just to flow.”

Celtic plotting last-gasp move to sign "excellent" £8m Kyogo replacement

The Bhoys are still eyeing reinforcements…

1 ByTom Cunningham Feb 1, 2025

The returning star could yet get some help whilst attempting to make that instant impact. According to Raman Bhardwaj of STV, Celtic are now in talks to sign Kelechi Iheanacho on loan from Sevilla for the rest of the season.

Iheanacho desperately needs a move after struggling to break into the Sevilla starting side and could now get a much-needed reunion with Rodgers, who he previously thrived under at Leicester City.

"Incredible" Iheanacho needs Rodgers reunion

Still 28 years old, there’s still time for Iheanacho to get his career back on track, and that could come in the form of a move to Celtic Park. All parties could benefit if the Nigerian hits the form of old and reaches his best goalscoring spell since he thrived under Rodgers.

Earning the praise of the then-Leicester manager, Rodgers described Iheanacho as “incredible”, telling reporters in 2021: “He’s a talented player and I think of the difference in him tonight than when we played Crystal Palace last time.

“When we played them around the Christmas period, he wasn’t playing so much, and when you are a striker in particular, that rhythm of games is important. Over the last few months, he’s been absolutely incredible. It’s not just [his goal] – he has no ego whatsoever, he works so hard.”

Having scored 43 goals and assisted another 23 in 143 appearances under Rodgers, there’s no manager who knows what Iheanacho is capable of more than the Celtic boss.

After sealing a Jota reunion, Celtic could welcome the former Leicester star to the Scottish Premiership and hand Rodgers a familiar face to replace Kyogo.

Santner is expected to join the squad over the weekend after spending time with his family following the birth of his first child

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Oct-2022Quick bowler Blair Tickner has been added to the New Zealand squad for the home T20I triangular series with Pakistan and Bangladesh as cover. Tickner’s addition was necessitated by the absence of Mitchell Santner, NZC said.Santner will be joining the squad late – most likely by the weekend – after being away with his family following the birth of his first child last week. Santner’s absence from New Zealand’s first game of the tri-series – against Pakistan on Saturday – have left New Zealand with just the lone specialist spin option in Ish Sodhi, though Kane Williamson can turn to Michael Bracewell’s part-time offspin if needed too.Related

Christchurch brings back nostalgic charm of triangular series

Of the 16 players now part of the set-up for the triangular series [including Santner], Tickner is the only one who is not part of the main squad named the T20 World Cup that starts later this month in Australia. New Zealand have stocked their squad with seamers: Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee and Adam Milne are the frontline quicks, with James Neesham as a seam-bowling allrounder.Tickner was part of the New Zealand squad that toured Europe in the summer, taking seven wickets in three T20Is against Ireland and Netherlands. Earlier this year, he also received his maiden NZC central contract.The T20I triangular series kicks off with the two touring teams – Pakistan and Bangladesh – facing off on Friday. The three sides will play each other twice each in the round-robin stage before the final, scheduled for October 14. All the matches will be played in Christchurch.NZ squad for tri-series: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson (capt), Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Blair Tickner

Chelsea are open to letting Wesley Fofana leave in the summer amid strong interest from Ligue 1 giants Marseille.

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Fofana could leave ChelseaMarseille show interest in French defenderCurrently out of action with injuryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fofana, who has appeared in only 14 matches across all competitions for Chelsea since the summer of 2023, is considering ending his injury-plagued journey in West London and moving out of Stamford Bridge at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

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Per , Ligue 1 giants Marseille have shown strong interest in the French defender and are expected to approach the Premier League giants with an offer. The Blues have yet to decide whether to sell the player permanently this summer or let him leave on a one-year loan deal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fofana rejoined Chelsea training in March after being sidelined for three months due to a hamstring injury. However, earlier in April, it was confirmed that he would have to undergo surgery on another muscle issue, thereby ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MARSEILLE?

Roberto De Zerbi's side could virtually seal a Champions League spot for next season if they beat Lille in the upcoming Ligue 1 fixture on March 4.

Newcastle United have now turned their attentions to a new forward as they look to hand Eddie Howe reinforcements at the end of the season, with their scouts having already watched him on several occasions this season.

Newcastle transfer priorities clear

Heading into the summer transfer window, Newcastle’s transfer priorities are crystal clear, but they remain constrained by the Premier League’s financial fair play rules that have hampered their spending thus far since the PIF took charge on Tyneside.

The Magpies are desperate to add a new centre-back to their ranks, having seen several bids for Marc Guehi rejected in the summer before being outgunned by Manchester City in January in their chase of Abdukodir Khusanov, who eventually ended up at the Etihad rather than St James’ Park.

Newcastle on verge of beating Real Madrid to deal for "exciting" new gem

He’s been a man in demand…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 13, 2025

There is now increased interest in Guehi with Tottenham among potential suitors, which could see Newcastle look at alternative options, but a defender is firmly on their wishlist.

Meanwhile, they continue to eye up a move for James Trafford as a long term replacement for Nick Pope, and the Magpies are also in need of a new forward following the departure of Miguel Almiron in January, with the Paraguayan winger completing a move to Atlanta United.

They have been linked with a move for Bryan Mbeumo in recent months, but the Brentford forward is set to cost a significant amount should he leave the Bees amid interest from across the Premier League.

Howe’s side also have a longstanding interest in Anthony Elanga and Noni Madueke, but both looked to be settled at their current clubs and again, would be costly to sign. Now though, they may have found a potential bargain alternative.

Newcastle target freescoring forward

That comes according to TEAMtalk, who report that Newcastle are now closely monitoring Celtic forward Nicolas Kuhn, who has enjoyed a phenomenal campaign under Brendan Rodgers.

The German winger has found the net 10 times in the Scottish Premiership, along with two strikes in the Champions League, and he has also created seven goals for teammates across those two competitions.

Scottish football pundit Marvin Bartley was full of praise for Kuhn earlier in the campaign, hailing his upturn in form.

“This season, he’s really taken a game by the scruff of the neck on so many occasions whether he starts or comes on as a sub. He’s been absolutely brilliant, breathtaking for them if I’m honest,” he explained.

Anthony Gordon

Nicolas Kuhn

Appearances

24

21

Goals

6

10

Assists

5

6

Minutes per goal involvement

176

78

Newcastle’s scouts have reportedly “been impressed by his superb displays” at Parkhead, while they add that “a move to England is of interest to Kuhn”, who was signed from Rapid Vienna for just £3m.

Now, he is worth much more, and it is claimed that he is valued by Rodgers and co. at around £26m, a fee that would see Celtic reluctantly cash in.

Due to their financial model, it is suggested that “if an offer comes in that matches their valuation they will not be able to turn it down”, while Kuhn’s wages are unlikely to be a stumbling block either, further helping the Magpies in their efforts to navigate financial fair play.

Still just 25-years-old, the German forward could prove to be a very affordable alternative to the established names already linked with St James’ Park, and could allow Howe’s side to strengthen further in other areas this summer as they eye a return to the Champions League.

Birmingham City are reportedly eyeing a move for former striker and Torino star Che Adams as the Blues prepare for life in the Championship.

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Birmingham romp to League One titleBreak records along the wayLinked with former Blues strikerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to journalist Tom Collomosse, Birmingham are mulling over a move for Scotland forward Adams for next season. The 28-year-old joined Torino on a three-year deal last summer and has scored 10 goals in all competitions, so if he does re-join the Blues it may not be on the cheap.

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Birmingham made history late last month when they recorded the highest points tally in a single professional season. They have already been crowned League One champions and now they are seeking to finish the campaign with a record 111 points. It is clear the West Midlands outfit, where NFL legend Brady is a minority owner, want to secure back-to-back promotions and reach the Premier League in 2026 and signings like Adams may make that possible.

DID YOU KNOW?

Adams spent three seasons with then-Championship side Birmingham (2016-19), scoring 38 goals in 123 games in all competitions. He then moved to Southampton, where he netted 49 goals in 191 matches.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Champions Birmingham round off their League One season away to Cambridge United, who have already been relegated to League Two.

“Prithvi Shaw is one I feel can be a very aggressive captain, a very successful captain because you see that aggression in the way a person plays the sport”

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2022Prithvi Shaw could be a future India captaincy candidate, according to former India batter Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir also picked Hardik Pandya, who has already led India in T20Is, as a future India captain, but Shaw was a more left-field choice as he has not played for India since July 2021.Hardik has been touted as a possible successor to Rohit Sharma, at least in T20Is, following India’s semi-final exit at the T20 World Cup last month. Over time, he has racked up some captaincy experience too. In May, he captained debutants Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL crown and then led India for the first time in T20Is on a tour of Ireland for a 2-0 series win. More recently, he led India to a 1-0 series win in the T20Is in New Zealand, in the absence of senior players such as Rohit, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.”Hardik Pandya obviously is in line,” Gambhir said at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi on Sunday. “But that’s going to be unfortunate for Rohit because I think judging his captaincy in only one ICC event is not the right way to probably judge him.”The other pick, Shaw, has struggled to find a regular place even in India’s second-string squads over the past year, and Gambhir didn’t specify in which format he saw Shaw as a potential captaincy candidate. Over the course of his short career, Shaw has had to cope with more than just a loss of form. Ever since he was suspended for a doping violation in 2019, his fitness and lifestyle issues have been under scrutiny.In March this year, Shaw was reported to have failed a yo-yo test. His score of less than 15 was far from BCCI’s prescribed minimum score of 16.5 for men.Having made his Test debut in 2018, the same year he led India to Under-19 World Cup glory in New Zealand, Shaw has managed to play just four more Tests. Shaw’s limited-overs appearances have been sporadic, too. He last played for India in July 2021, when he was part of a second-string squad that toured Sri Lanka for three ODIs and as many T20Is.”The reason I’ve picked Prithvi Shaw, I know a lot of people talk about his off-field activities, but that is what the job of the coach and the selectors are,” Gambhir said. “The selectors’ job isn’t just to pick the 15, but also to get people walk the right path.”Prithvi Shaw is one I feel can be a very aggressive captain, a very successful captain because you see that aggression in the way a person plays the sport.”Shaw’s recent appearances have come for Mumbai in the domestic circuit, where he was the second-highest run-scorer at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20s. His 332 runs came in 10 innings at a strike rate of 181.42, and included a career-best 61-ball 134 against Assam.His form in the 50-over competition, the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, was patchy, with his only two half-centuries coming against inexperienced Mizoram and Railways. Overall, he managed just 217 runs in seven innings at an average of 31. He was shaded by fellow top-order batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made 396 runs in six innings to top the run charts for Mumbai, who exited in the pre-quarter-finals.Over time, Shaw has racked up some captaincy experience with Mumbai, apart from captaining India Under-19. At the junior level, he led a batch of players, many of whom are regulars in the IPL currently.

Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell appears to be a busy man, following a new update regarding the club’s upcoming summer transfer business.

Cordero and Diao head Newcastle target list

Malaga teenager Antonio Cordero has been heavily linked with a summer move to the Magpies and now another youngster, Assane Diao, has also been mentioned as a target. The 19-year-old winger is currently plying his trade at Serie A side Como, but could soon head to Tyneside as Mitchell and Co. build for the future.

Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz has also been backed to seal a switch to Newcastle at the end of the season, but it may have to be part of a swap deal involving key midfielder Sandro Tonali, which will not appeal to the fans in St James’.

Meanwhile, Atalanta ace Ademola Lookman could leave the reigning Europa League holders this summer, having fallen out with manager Gian Peiro Gasperini. The Magpies are ready to swoop, but face competition from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

Newcastle could also reportedly be offered the chance to sign Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, with the England international falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola this season, as well as struggling with injuries. He could come in and provide competition for Anthony Gordon on the left flank.

Newcastle want to sign CB, winger and attacking midfielder

According to The Daily Mail‘s Craig Hope, Newcastle are looking at signing three players in different areas of the pitch this summer alongside James Trafford, who is expected to join from Burnley.

As well as the Clarets goalkeeper, a “right-sided centre back, right winger and versatile midfielder/forward will also be sought”, as Mitchell works his magic after leading a “scouting summit at Gateshead’s Hilton Hotel last weekend”.

This is such an exciting transfer update for Newcastle fans, following a relatively disappointing summer window last time around. PIF have reportedly given the green light to spend this year, however, so a busier time of things is expected.

Several fresh faces have to arrive at the end of the campaign this time around in order to bring a freshness to the squad, and all the positions mentioned are key areas to improve in. At least one centre-back addition is imperative, considering Sven Botman is the only player in that position in his 20s, with Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles all arguably past their absolute peak.

A right-sided attacker is also vital, even though Jacob Murphy is enjoying an excellent season, with Miguel Almiron’s departure affecting the depth there, and an elite option is needed to be a regular starter, such as Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

Newcastle and PIF now eyeing up another teenager signing alongside Cordero

Another young star has emerged on Newcastle’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.

ByBrett Worthington Feb 27, 2025

The hope is that Newcastle avoid having to sell star player Alexander Isak, holding firm and rejecting possible huge bids, but even if he stays put, another striker is also needed. Callum Wilson’s best days are behind him, and he will likely leave on a free when his contract expires, so a younger successor must be found.

Unbeaten Chelsea ran away with the title for the sixth-straight season, but there were plenty of talking points all the way down the table

And so another Women's Super League season comes to a close. It was certainly a memorable one, with Chelsea hitting remarkably new heights with their sixth league title in a row. The Blues went without defeat all year in the competition, while breaking their own record for points accrued and equalling that for most wins. It has not been a bad way for Sonia Bompastor's tenure to begin – and it could get better yet, with the FA Cup final to come this weekend.

There wasn't a great deal of change in the spots immediately below them, either. Arsenal, in the Champions League final later this month, qualified for Europe again by finishing second, with Manchester United to join them on the continent after recovering from the disappointment of missing out last time around. Again, the Red Devils' season can still get better, too, as they will be out to defend their FA Cup when they take on Chelsea at Wembley in a few days' time.

But it wasn't all smiles. This was a massively underwhelming season for Manchester City, for a plethora of reasons, and it was Crystal Palace who occupied that unwanted relegation spot, forcing them to return to the second-tier just 12 months after getting out of it. They were not the only sides left disappointed by this year's events, either, as GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the 2024-25 WSL season…

Getty Images SportWINNER: Sonia Bompastor

Replacing Emma Hayes after her incredible 12-year stint in charge of Chelsea was never going to be easy for any manager, and yet Sonia Bompastor has made it look so. The former Lyon boss spoke before the season about how, while she couldn't improve on the Blues' position in the league, as reigning champions, she knew they could aim for another title and to break records. That's exactly what they have done.

By clinching the WSL trophy with two games to spare, Chelsea won the competition earlier than any other team has managed before; by avoiding defeat to Liverpool on the final day, they became the first side in the league's 22-game era to go unbeaten; and by finding a late winner in that last outing, they broke their own record for most points in a season and matched the record for the most wins.

"It's been the smoothest transition I've ever experienced," Millie Bright told on Saturday. "From the first day she came in, [Bompastor] excited us." That's a huge credit to the coach and her staff, who could yet lead the Blues to just a second-ever treble next week with victory in the FA Cup final. It's been quite the first season.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Manchester City

When Manchester City opted to make a change in the dugout just five days before their League Cup final clash with Chelsea, it felt like a massive risk. Head coach Gareth Taylor had been under pressure at various points in his tenure, and some criticisms of him were valid, but there was surely little that his replacement, former boss Nick Cushing, could do with this squad given the injury crisis it was enduring.

Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood both missed several months after having knee surgeries in November and December, respectively, and only returned in the final few weeks of the campaign; Vivianne Miedema had a knee surgery of her own in October and, after returning to some promising form in the New Year, had her season ended early after picking up a problem on international duty; while star striker Khadija Shaw had a spell on the sidelines before Christmas and then didn't play again after that League Cup final in mid-March.

Then there is Risa Shimizu, who missed the whole season; Rebecca Knaak, who joined in January and then was out for two months with a hamstring injury; Mary Fowler, who sustained an ACL injury in April; plus Aoba Fujino, Ayaka Yamashita, Jill Roord and so many more who had to miss notable time.

But City opted for a managerial change at a surprising time, ahead of a four-game series with reigning WSL champions Chelsea across three competitions. Cushing had to come in and deliver immediately, working with a group that was massively depleted and featured only one or two names he had previously coached. It seemed highly unlikely to work and, in the end, it didn't.

Would Taylor have fared better? That's a hypothetical we'll never know the answer to. One thing is for sure, though: He could not have fared worse.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Alessia Russo

There has never been much doubt that Alessia Russo is a fantastic all-round footballer. With a wonderful ability to hold the ball up and link play, the questions around her have instead been related to the goal-scoring instincts needed to be a top No.9. This season, she has answered those in her most impressive fashion to date, sharing the WSL Golden Boot with Man City star Khadija Shaw after equalling her best-ever return of 12 goals in the competition.

It feels like a really significant season in the Arsenal striker's development. She looks more assured than ever in front of goal, posting some of her most clinical statistics in areas aside from the actual strikes themselves, and that has also helped propel the Gunners into the Champions League final which will take place at the end of the month.

Can Russo go up another level yet? Former head coach Jonas Eidevall previously shared his belief that she could be a 20-goal striker. Russo has hit that mark in all competitions to contribute to a strong season for Arsenalm and there is reason to believe she can progress further to remain among the WSL's deadliest centre-forwards, based on what she has shown this past year.

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Getty ImagesLOSER: Sam Kerr

Chelsea have had a remarkable season. On Saturday, the Blues lifted their sixth-successive WSL title, doing so after becoming the first team in the competition's 22-game era to go unbeaten all season and having broken their own record for the most points accrued in a single campaign. But missing from all of that on-pitch success has been Sam Kerr.

The Australia star suffering a devastating ACL injury in January of last year while Chelsea were away on a warm weather training camp. It's an injury that is all too common in the women's game and can often be more complicated for some unfortunate players, with Catarina Macario, Kerr's club-mate, enduring almost two years on the sidelines after her own ACL tear.

Kerr's case has been similarly tough. While there was hope that she could be back to contribute to the second half of the Blues' season, she's still yet to return to action at all. Success has still come Chelsea's way in spades this year, but Kerr will have found it hard to watch them lose another Champions League semi-final to Barcelona, knowing she could've made a difference if fit, and even if there might not have been much else that could've gone right for her team in the WSL, the league has still been deprived of the joy of watching one of the world's best for far too long. It's not just Chelsea fans that will hope to see her back as soon as possible.