WSL Transfer Buzz

   Well I thought a blog entry on this WSL transfer period would be something I'd be rounding up when the dust had settled and the new season was ready to begin, but such has been the cyclone of activity blowing through the top tier of English women's football I feel it prudent to summarise the various comings and goings between clubs up to date.
    After 3 seasons of an elite league of 8 unchanged teams the 2014 season brings with it change as the WSL gains a 2nd tier of 10 teams. It is the WSL 1 as it will become where there has been a great deal of movement of players. As of the 2014 season the WSL 1 has a new entrant in the form of Manchester City Ladies who somewhat controversally replaced Doncaster Rovers Belles who will been lining up in WSL 2 next season.
   It is with Manchester City I will begin. A club with money behind it they got into the WSL set up at the expense of some established women's football names, nevertheless everyone expected them to spend big and bring in star names there were rumours galore one of the most notable being the arrival of USA international goalkeeper Hope Solo. As it was the goalkeeper who did arrive was something of a surprise in the form of current England No 1 Karen Bardsley from Lincoln Ladies. 1st to arrive however was her England team mate midfielder Jill Scott from Everton after deciding not to renew her contract, she was closely followed by another Everton star and England striker Toni Duggan. Now as far as I understand it a WSL team is allowed to have 4 England internationals in it's squad so it was a case of waiting to see whom the 4th would be with a goalkeeper, striker and midfielder a defender was required to complete the set and Manchester City signed versatile England player Steph Houghton from Arsenal. The club has also signed Steph Marsh from Blackburn Rovers Ladies.
    The team has a solid spine but to be challenging for the title you would think they would still need to bring in 7/8 top signings but you have to walk before you can run and that might be an unrealistic aim for their 1st season of top football.
   I say this however as I move onto Liverpool Ladies the current WSL champions, this after an injection of cash from the men's club see them go from rock bottom the previous 2 seasons to the top of the pile. Matt Beard brought in an entire new team of players then the English quartet as Manchester City have done but also the likes of oversea's internationals such as Whitney Engen, Louise Fors and Corina Schroder. Matt Beard has a strong squad at his disposal so my thought was only 2/3 additions would be needed to defend their title. The clubs 1st move was something of a surprise as they signed a player who was probably the best performer in the league in 2013 and certainly at her club Lincoln Ladies, England U19 international Martha Harris. An extremely shrewd transfer Matt Beard was to also sprung another coup in signing Gemma Davison from Arsenal Ladies in contrast to Martha Harris' huge potential she brings a wealth of experience and Natasha Dowie will thrive on her service. A surprise departure was goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill so Liverpool will be looking for a keeper expect 1 or 2 more in yet.
    Likewise the team who finished 2nd last season Bristol Academy Women had a good blend of demestic players and 2 experienced Spanish strikers a surprise package to some, the teams achievements have no doubt helped their manager Mark Sampson as he takes up the ultimate challenge of becoming head coach of the English national team. As of yet no new players have come in although they have secured the services of striker Laura del Rio. One of the biggest transfer moves was the departure of goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain to Arsenal ladies. Need a manager installed quickly if they want to bring new players in.
   This was something of a much needed boost to Arsenal Ladies fans as they had seen a host of star players leaving the club after their 3rd place finish and seemingly several more players yet to agree new contracts it is something of a transititional time for the long time unchallenged team in English women's football. Siobhan Chamberlain is a vastly experienced goalkeeper. It was however a little strange that their long serving Irish No 1 goalkeeper Emma Byrne signed a new deal as she has been unchallenged for years will be interesting to see how the club will accommodate both. It was at least a player coming into Arsenal Ladies will they be able a attract more, you would certainly think so and some more will sign new deals eventually.
   Just as it was looking up for Arsenal another star player departed however this time another surprise move (have I said that already?) striker Ellen White rejoining her old manager Rick Passmoor at Notts County Ladies. The rebranded clubs 1st signing in this transfer period and the much needed goal scorer they were lacking in the previous campaign whilst still Lincoln Ladies. As some have pointed out she is a target player who thrived on the service the likes of Yankey, Davison and co provided at Arsenal. She will need players to help her and a look at the Notts County Ladies page on the FAWSL website shows you their squad is extremely thin on the ground. More players will be coming in no doubt this window has proved that and the club will need more if they want to push for a top half finish.
    The 1st team to make a move in the transfer was Chelsea. Coach Emma Hayes undoubtedly disappointed with their 2nd bottom finish let several players go and was quick to snap up newly released striker Rachel Williams from Birmingham City Ladies. A proven goal scorer in the WSL she had a poor 2013 season and lost her England place linking up again with Eniola Aluko she will no doubt want to win it back and will need plenty of goals to do so. Joining her from Birmingham after finishing her contract was defender Laura Bassett.
   Birmingham City Ladies have been quiet in this transfer period so far however that being said I like what manager David Parker is doing there as he has brought in a group of younger players the likes of Kirsty Linnett, Melissa Lawley and Aoife Mannion taking a different approach to other clubs you would still expect to see 1 or 2 arrivals yet.
   That leaves Everton Ladies whose fans must be very deflated after seeing 1st Liverpool Ladies, and now Manchester City Ladies tempt their star players away. They like Birmingham City Ladies however have alot of young talented players and put out an announcement just last night that 16 of their players had committed to new deals another Fern Whelan adding her commitment to the club as she recovers from injury. A strong statement from the club it was good to see.
   Still alot more to come I feel there are some notable free agents still out there such as Dunia Susi, Katie Holtham, Meaghan Sargeant and Carly Telford (and at least 3 teams might be after a new goalkeeper) more twists and turns shocks and surprises....stay tuned.

    A brief mention for WSL 2 as there has been some surprising and eye opening moves as the 2nd teir gears up for the new season most notably from Yeovil Town Ladies who have signed up the experienced Katie Sherwood and Welsh international Helen Bleazard from the area who was released by Chelsea. Millwall Lionesses have swooped for goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill and striker Lillie Billson from Lincoln the later will be a threat in WSL 2 no doubt. Also Reading now with ex Arsenal star Jane Ludlow in charge have signed Welsh striker Helen Ward. Lastly and most notably Doncaster Rovers Belles haven't lost any players to date despite their demotion which is good news for the club and I'd be disappointed if a Belles fan didn't come on twitter and say 'damn right too!' WSL 2 could very well prove to be very interesting in 2014.

    No doubt someone just signed for a club just 5 minutes ago but I shall leave it there for now.