The Women’s Super League is back!
After England’s glorious success at Euro 2022 in July, the domestic league returns on Friday (delayed by a week after games were postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II) and kicks off with Brighton’s trip to Arsenal.
Which 12 teams are favourites to win the 2022-23 title? Who needs to worry about relegation and which of the 12 teams is the favorite? Which manager is the most difficult to manage and which European Championship star could brighten up the league?
Our panel of The Athletic writers give their thoughts…
Which WSL winner will be 2022-23?
Michael Cox: It’ll be between Chelsea and Arsenal again. Arsenal may improve with a whole season of Stina Blackstenius leading the line, and draw fewer games than last year, so I’ll just about go for them.
Charlotte Harpur: It is Chelsea’s to lose, for the second season running. Arsenal will push them and the combination of “Vivstenius” (Vivianne MiedemaBlackstenius) Beth Mead and new signing Lina Hurtig will be troublesome, but Chelsea’s own recruitment provides them with more options and depth.
Chelsea will go for a third successive domestic double this season (Photo: Eddie Keogh – The FA via Getty Images)
Sophie Penney: Chelsea. They have signed the best players to enhance an already great team.
Flo Lloyd-HughesChelsea is my favorite team, and I believe they will prevail over Arsenal. Kadeisha Bookanan and Eve Perisset have been a great addition to Chelsea’s defense. They possess the experience and firepower necessary to do the job.
Who will be the other candidate for this award? Champions League?
Cox: Again, you have to think it’ll be the same sides in the mix — Manchester City Manchester United. United was fifth with five points, City came in third. Did their departures result in more points than five? You have to think yes, so I’ll go for United.
Harpur:Manchester City will need to adapt to the mass exodus. United needs that last qualification spot in order to retain key players.
Penney:Arsenal and Manchester United. The summer exodus from the city will be difficult to overcome.
Lloyd-Hughes:Arsenal and, maybe, Manchester United.
Who and why will they be relegated?
Cox: LeicesterThey were terrible last season. I expect to be promoted LiverpoolTo be competitive EvertonTo improve on the 10th place finish last season. I can’t see another realistic candidate here.
Harpur:I worry for Leicester. Liverpool are looking competitive and Everton — who finished seven points above Leicester last season — will turn things around. Other concerns include Aston Villa.
Penney: Leicester. Both Aston Villa and Liverpool have brought in big signings, like Rachel Daly and Shanice van de Sanden, but Leicester haven’t got enough goals in their squad.
Lloyd-HughesLeicester are in serious trouble I don’t think they’ve had the best transfer window and they look like they will lack goals. There’s still not enough WSL experience in their team and the clubs around them have had very busy windows.
Which manager has the most challenging job?
Cox: It’s surely Gareth Taylor at Manchester City. It’s not just about moving on from key players, but about replacing leaders, and replacing the relationships they had on the pitch.
Harpur: With nine outgoings and six signings, Taylor’s squad looks completely different — no Keira Walsh, Ellen WhiteLucy Bronze, Caroline Weir Georgia StanwayOder Janine Beckie. It is a major rupture in the team’s core and it will take time for people to come together.
Penney:Gareth Taylor. It’s difficult to start a major rebuilding effort when it seems like he may have lost his dressing room.
Lloyd-Hughes: Lydia Bedford. She’s young and still fairly new in the job. It’s her first pre-season full with the team, and I believe it will be hard for Leicester again.
Which player do you think will be the top scorer?
Cox: On the basis that Blackstenius, Miedema and Mead will probably share the goals around at Arsenal, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr again.
Harpur: Predictably, Sam Kerr.
Penney:Sam Kerr is the obvious choice. She is a consistent person, which is crucial.
Lloyd-Hughes:Sam Kerr. She is unmatched in scoring goals.
Which Euros star look you are most excited to see again?
Cox: A boring answer — but Manchester United’s Alessia Rosso. I didn’t realise she was quite this good.
Harpur: Chloe KellyManchester City. She has more trickery in her locker we haven’t seen yet.
Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly celebrates her famous Euros-winning goal for England (Photo: Julian Finney – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Penney:I was going to say Keira Walsh! But since she’s joined Barcelona, I’ll pick Beth Mead instead now — her Euros confidence will take her a long way.
Lloyd-Hughes:Arsenal: Laura Wienroither She was brilliant at Arsenal. Austria’s game against England in the Euros and should be pushing for the starting right-back position over Noelle Maritz. I’m also looking forward to seeing Lucia Garcia at Manchester United. She was a brilliant woman. Spain during the tournament and could add another dimension to United’s attack.
Who was unable to attend the Euros, but will be a star this season?
Cox: Maya Le Tissier — coming off two solid seasons with Brighton, and ready for the step up at Manchester United.
Harpur:Maya Le Tissier, a defender who loves football. I’ll keep a close eye on Chelsea pair Jorja Fox and Aggie Beever-Jones on loan at Brighton and Everton respectively.
Penney:Jess Park is an exciting young talent that will succeed at Everton.
Lloyd-Hughes: Shanice van de SandenThe opportunity to win a Euros spot was probably missed by the NetherlandsShe had been dropped from the first team. WolfsburgBut it could be a stunning revival for her at Liverpool. It could also be a move to get her back in her national squad.
What upcoming season would be the most interesting to have made into a documentary for?
Cox:The recently released documentary about Chelsea was boring to me. Deanna Cooper’s scenes were a few times touching, but I found it mostly dull. I’d be interested to see whether she’s enjoying life more at Reading. I do hope so.
Harpur:Manchester United. They have to secure that Champions League spot and with Polly Bancroft coming in as head of women’s football, I’m interested to see if the club kicks on. Plus you would get some great content from England’s Mary Earps, Ella TooneAlessia Russo.
Penney: Manchester City — are they what they used to be and who is to blame?
Lloyd-Hughes:Manchester City. It would be a great series if there was no fallout from the summer’s departures and the smooth transition of the new signings.
Which tactical innovation is worth noticing?
Cox: Sarina WiegmanThe Euros saw the creation of super-sub positions with England. A dead rubber in the final group game wasn’t a chance to give them minutes from the start, it was a chance to make sure they were perfectly prepared for coming on midway through the second half. This could become a common theme.
Harpur: Not necessarily a tactical innovation but, having watched the Euros, I’m intrigued by which triggers will kickstart a team’s press and if WSL clubs’ defences hoof it long or try to play out.
Penney:It must be Sarina Wiegman-esque supersubs all across the league.
Lloyd-Hughes: I wouldn’t say it’s an innovation but it looks like Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is returning to a back four, which may officially kill the WSL’s brief romance with three at the back.
Which club will amaze everyone?
Cox: Everton — a good squad, and now a manager with a track record of winning things.
Harpur: Everton. Although not many people will have heard about their new signings, they now have a new manager. Brian SorensenThese will be a test for big teams.
Penney: Everton. They have the potential to forget about last season and bring pressure on the top five.
Lloyd-Hughes:I think West Ham will really miss manager Olli Harder, but with the transfer business they’ve done this summer, successor Paul KoncheskyThey could move up the table further and surpass last season’s record points total.
(Top photos: Getty Images, illustration Sam Richardson)
