Team: Manchester City
Manager: Nick Cushing (3rd season)
Last season: 2nd (Qualified for Champions League)
Continental Cup: Quarter Final
Key Transfers (in): Kosovare Asllani (PSG), Megan Campbell (Florida State), Jane Ross (Vittsjo)
Key Transfers (out): Natasha Harding (Liverpool), Natasha Flint (Notts County), Krystle Johnson (Doncaster Rovers Belles)
Preview:
Having missed out on the WSL title to Chelsea on the last day of the season by 2 points, Manchester City will be looking improve in only their third season as a club. The signings of PSG star Kosovare Asllani and the prolific Scottish striker Jane Ross show City also have ambitions of Champions League progression. Signing from Swedish side Vittsjo GIK, Ross scored 51 goals in 82 appearances. She also has previous experience in the Champions League; she guided Glasgow City to the last 16 and five consecutive Scottish league titles. Compared by critics to her compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Swede Kosovare Asllani is keen to make an impression on the WSL having appeared 80 times for her country and scored 45 times for her side. This included 17 in her first 19 appearances. The impressive National Women’s Soccer League in the US has seen Megan Campbell make an impression of those in UK, with the Republic of Ireland international left-back joining from Florida State Seminoles.
With one of the deeper squads in WSL and no doubt one of the highest budgets, City will look to draw on the experiences of their several internationals to guide them towards their first league title. The goals of Toni Duggan propelled City up the table in the first half of last season, but the loss of Steph Houghton and ‘keeper Karen Bardsley midway through the campaign cost City dear. City found form again after the World Cup break when the two returned, and it is these two that City must keep fit if they are to stake a title claim once again. Impressive performances at the back end of last season under the guidance of Nick Cushing has seen City become one of the favourites for the title yet again but they must be wary of complacency to avoid a Liverpool-esque drop. Two years ago the Reds won the league but only narrowly avoided relegation last term. Whilst there are damning reasons for Liverpool’s decline, City must finely balance their league schedule with their debut in the Champions’ League to eradicate the chances of a disappointing season. It is at home to Notts County where City start their 2016 WSL campaign, a repeat of last seasons’ final day fixture.
City have had a run of good results in pre-season. They travelled to Abu Dhabi to face sister side Melbourne City in the FBMA Challenge Cup where they ran out 3-0 victors, after an impressive win over Rosengard. Steph Houghton was a star player, scoring two in Abu Dhabi and a powerful header against the Norwegian side. New girl Asllani scored her first City goal as they overcame Pitea in their third pre-season game. It is perhaps testament to City’s triplet of pre-seasons that has set them up well as the side breaks for the International fixtures. The England side for the debut #SheBelievesCup features seven Manchester City names.
Player To Watch: Isobel Christiansen
After a quiet start to life at Manchester City that saw the former Everton youth prospect rarely leave the bench, last season’s injury to star striker Toni Duggan gave the now England international a chance to prove herself. Her form in this period saw her score some crucial goals to maintain City’s title fight. If she can continue last season’s form, then she could be an important asset to Cushing and co.
Prediction: 2nd
While their debut in Champions’ League may bring a level of excitement to the club, it may also bring an unwelcome distraction for a side that will need to maintain its fitness levels throughout the season. A strong Chelsea side has got stronger with the signing of Birmingham City veteran Karen Carney and will be vying for a second successive title and look set to be the leading force again this season. With this in mind, City will have to settle for second again, but may also face stiff competition from an improving Arsenal.
