WSL Transfer Buzz 2015 - part 1

   There was me thinking this transfer period couldn't possibly be as busy and hectic as it was last season.. how wrong was I on that, has been another whirlwind of activity and the transfer window only officially opened at the start of the year. Moves were done and dusted before then as current deals ran there course and players were free to move on.

   Time for a new WSL Transfer Buzz for 2015 and a Part 1 so that all the deals that have been done so far can be rounded up. Focus on WSL 1 in this installment, will save WSL 2 which has been quiet in comparison so far until a later date.

   The transfers so far -

   ARSENAL LADIES

    IN - Lianne Sanderson (Boston Breakers), Jemma Rose (Bristol Academy), Natalia Pablos Sanchon (Bristol Academy).

      OUT - Niamh Fahey (Chelsea Ladies)

  Three very useful additions to the Arsenal Ladies squad so far by manager Pedro Martinez Losa with ex-player Lianne Sanderson returning to the club after a successful few years playing in the US and her recent return to the England fold following Mark Sampson's appointment as manager. An experienced striker she is joined by another quality international striker in Spanish star Natalia Pablos Sanchon who moves from Bristol Academy where she has already proven scoring goals in WSL 1 won't be a problem.
   Whilst at the back Arsenal have added another player from Bristol Academy, Jemma Rose, recent form has seen her pushing for a place in the senior England squad, a move to Arsenal will only help to cement it if she continues to progress. A good blend of youth and experience Arsenal Ladies look to have a stronger squad than they did after last seasons raft of big name departures.

  BIRMINGHAM CITY LADIES

     IN - None

      OUT - None

   No transfer activity that I know of as yet but that's a good thing as there have been no departures at  Birmingham City Ladies a few rumours floating about but I never worry about rumours. Have a good young squad if they can keep it see no reason why thay can't be as strong as last season. A couple of shrewd additions from manager David Parker would be useful and there's plenty of time yet.

  BRISTOL ACADEMY

  IN - None

   OUT - Jemma Rose (Arsenal Ladies), Natalia Pablos Sanchon (Arsenal Ladies), Natasha Harding (Washington Spirit), Laura Del Rio.

  It's the departures that have dominated Bristol Academy since their fantastic Champion's League win against Barcelona. Big name players too which have left a big hole in the squad, will they find the names to replace them? Manager Dave Edmondson will no doubt have some transfer targets both here and abroad would be surprised if no new faces came in before the season started.

  CHELSEA LADIES

   IN - Gemma Davison (Liverpool Ladies), Millie Bright (Doncaster Rovers Belles), Niamh Fahey (Arsenal Ladies), Hedvig Lindhal (Kristianstads), Marija Banusic (Kristianstads).

    OUT - Yuki Ogimi (Wolfsburg), Emma Wilhelmsson, Christiane Endler, Rachel Williams (Notts County Ladies), Laura Bassett (Notts County Ladies).

   5 in and 5 out for Chelsea Ladies so far, manager Emma Hayes has brought in a new blend of experience and youth with Davison, Fahey and Swedish international goalkeeper Hedvig Lindhal providing the former whilst it is great to see Millie Bright given a chance at the top level of the women's game as she arrives from Doncaster Rovers Belles along with swede Marija Banusic.
   At the same time Hayes has seen experienced players leave too Yuki Ogimi in particular will be a big loss not just for Chelsea Ladies but the whole of the WSL. This squad is as strong as the one that came so close to winning the title last season.

  LIVERPOOL LADIES

  IN - Line Smorsgard (Klepp), Ingrid Ryland (Arna-Bjonar), Satara Murray (UNC).

   OUT - Gemma Davison (Chelsea Ladies), Amanada Da Costa (Washington Spirit), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City Women), Ellie Stewart (Everton Ladies), Nina Pedersen (Turbine Postsdam).

  Liverpool Ladies have made three additions to their squad which have more or less gone under the radar as they happened very early on after the season close, manager Matt Beard adding experienced Norwegian's Line Sorsgard and Ingrid Ryland aswell as Satara Murray from UNC. Could as Lucy Staniforth to the new arrivals as she missed the whole of last season after suffering her 2nd ACL in as many years will be looking to get her footballing career back on track.
   A number of big names departures have grabbed the headlines notably Amanda Da Costa and Lucy Bronze. Have been linked with a couple of names will probably do more business before the season starts.

  MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN

   IN - Lucy Bronze (Liverpool Ladies), Jennifer Beattie (Montpellier) Demi Stokes (South Florida), Sarah Wilshire (Yeovil Town Ladies).

    OUT - Danielle Young, Betsy Hassett.

  I guess everyone was waiting for them to make their move use the financial clout we've all heard about. Have always thought despite this Manchester City Women have gone about it the right way no expectation in the 1st season (at least from them) consolidate then push on have made moves to bulk up their back line have brought in England's Lucy Bronze and Demi Stokes who have become regulars under Mark Sampson, have 4 5th's of that back 5 now aswell as bringing in Scottish international Jennifer Beattie. Up front they have strengthened too by bringing in a player that in my opinion is long overdue a punt in WSL 1, Welsh international Sarah Wiltshire could well be the perfect foil for Toni Duggan up front will score goals too.
     Have seen departures to and I'd expect a few more most noteably New Zealand international Betsy Hassett who enjoyed a good season last year. Are beginning to look like title contenders now.

 NOTTS COUNTY LADIES
  
   IN - Rachel Williams (Chelsea Ladies), Laura Bassett (Chelsea Ladies), Alex Greenwood (Everton Ladies), Jess Sigsworth (Doncaster Rovers Belles).

  OUT - Katie Holtham, Danielle Brogan

  Notts County Ladies had been quiet on the transfer front up until yesterday when they announced the signing of Rachel Williams from Chelsea Ladies, then today followed that up with a trio of signings again from Chelsea Ladies and one manager Rick Passmoor's old Leeds players England international Laura Bassett, along with Alex Greenwood from Everton Ladies and Jess Sigsworth from Doncaster Rovers Belles.
   Williams is a powerhouse who is a proven goal scorer in the WSL but has fallen away from the England set up in the past couple of seasons through injury and a loss of form, Notts County's direct style of play might suit her better, help her rediscover that form. Bassett brings plenty of experience to the side with Greenwood having made it into the senior England squads needing to push Stokes at the highest level to win a regular place a good young talent. Likewise Sigsworth an England U20 international good prospect, good on the ball, works hard. Ellen White will be back to having missed the entire season through the dreaded ACL injury. Title contenders? Maybe not based on what Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have brought in but too early to tell transfer window is far from done.

  SUNDERLAND LADIES

  IN - None

   OUT - None

   Last but not least WSL 1 new comers Sunderand Ladies haven't done any transfer business player wise yet, but have brought in a new manager following Mick Mulhern who guided the club to the top level of women's football. Cartlon Fairweather takes over for the new season. Plenty of time to bring in new faces if he feels the need to strength the squad.


   I haven't included any players who have signed new deals at clubs and there are plenty of fans favourites who are staying for another season or two. It is a period of change as women's football grows money has to come into it at the top level and players do deserve the chance to play the sport they love professionally if they get the chance.

   No doubt there will be more transfer activity tomorrow but for now Part 1 is done, hopefully I'll only need to write a Part 2 but until then I'm like you keeping my eyes peeled for any news.