The first international break of the 2024/25 WSL season is now complete, with action set to return this weekend.
Manchester City currently top the standings having won four of their first five games, albeit both Chelsea i Manchester United have a game in hand. Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton are bottom of the table with two points to their name, although the Hammers’ goal difference makes them worse.
There have already been a number of standout performers from the early stages of the campaign, including stars from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Ahead of this weekend’s games, 90 minutes has ranked the top 10 players of the season so far…
Chelsea have had a strong start to the season, but Hannah Hampton has also cemented her place as the number one goalkeeper. The Blues have conceded three goals in their opening four games and are second in the table having played a game less than leaders Manchester City.
Hampton has already stepped up in some big moments this season, most notably their opening day clash against Aston Villa. Chelsea cruised to a 1-0 win that night, but could have dropped points late on if not for some key saves.
Liverpool have yet to hit the ground running this season as they have won one and drawn three of their opening five games. However, summer signing Olivia Smith has been a standout performer for the Reds.
The Merseyside club broke their transfer record to sign the 20-year-old Canadian star from Sporting CP, and she is already proving to be a transformative player. He has already scored two outstanding goals this season, including one against Manchester City at Anfield.
Japan international Kiko Seike is one of the most exciting new players in the WSL this season. The 28-year-old made history on the opening day when she became the first player to score a WSL hat-trick on debut.
Since then, Seike is yet to add to his tally but has been one of the key figures behind Brighton’s strong start to the season. Under new manager Dario Vidosic, they have won three of their first five games and lost just once.
Manchester United’s defensive record in the early stages of the new season is excellent. Marc Skinner’s team have not lost in four games and have only conceded one goal in that time.
Newly appointed captain Maya Le Tissier is just one of the names responsible for a resurgent United defensive balance, and it’s something they hope to maintain as they look to return to the top three.
Le Tissier has also been on the scoresheet this season when he converted a penalty in a 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. His form for his club also earned him appearances in England’s two matches during the international break.
Sandy Baltimore, the 24-year-old France international, was just one of Chelsea’s summer signings. Although a striker, she has often been used as a left-back under Sonia Bompastor this season.
Despite playing out of position, Baltimore has still contributed two league goals in four games this season. That includes the winner against rivals Arsenal at the Emirates at the start of October.
No player has recorded more assists in the WSL this season than United’s Celin Bizet. The former Spurs star joined the Red Devils at the end of the transfer window and has settled into his new team smoothly.
United have dropped points in one game this season. Bizet has contributed significantly to the wins so far, surprisingly from right-back at times, although she is yet to get on the scoresheet herself.
It’s no surprise that Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw is already among the top scorers in the WSL this season. His biggest contribution was the two goals against Liverpool at Anfield to allow City to come from behind to secure a crucial victory.
The 27-year-old Jamaican international is unstoppable and is hoping to win the Golden Boot this season for the second consecutive year. His goalscoring form will be central to City’s potential title push this term.
Another City star, Lauren Hemp, has had an equally strong start to the campaign. The 24-year-old has scored two goals and has already registered two assists in the WSL.
One such assist was for Shaw’s equalizer against Liverpool at Anfield. He also scored the equalizer and set up a 2-1 win at Aston Villa before the international break.
Few players have had as significant an impact as Grace Clinton this season. United’s strong start to the season is largely down to the 21-year-old’s incredible form in front of goal.
Clinton has scored in three of the Red Devils’ first four WSL games, two of which have been winners. Given how he has started the campaign, it is no surprise that Skinner and the club were desperate to keep him after a successful loan spell at Tottenham last season.
With three goals and two assists in four WSL games, Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd is on course to become player of the season. If the Swedish international is able to maintain this form, it could be decisive in helping Bompastor’s side retain another league title.
He also scored a goal earlier in the season against London rivals Tottenham before the international break. The 27-year-old is simply unstoppable at the moment.
