The GA Player's Of The Season

As another season draws to a close, the GIRLACTICO team have put together our player’s of the season in goal, defense, midfield and up front. And for those that standout even more through the rest, we will do a little deep dive into why their season has been just that good.

Grace: 

Goalkeeper: Chiamka Nnadozie

Defender: Kerstin Casparij

Midfielder: Vivianne Miedema

Forward: Bunny Shaw

Harriet:

Goalkeeper: Chiamka Nnadozie

Defender: Kerstin Casparij

Midfielder: Yui Hasegawa

Forward: Bunny Shaw

Amelie:

Goalkeeper: Courtney Brosnan

Defender: Kerstin Casparij

Midfielder: Jess Park

Forward: Bunny Shaw

Sophie:

Goalkeeper: Ayaka Yamashita

Defender: Ruby Mace

Midfielder: Yui Hasegawa

Forward: Bunny Shaw

Standout Stars

Manchester City have, undoubtedly, had the best season of them all (state the obvious, with their WSL title win...), and here are some of their key players that have made that happen. 

City’s style of play under their new manager, Andree Jeglertz, has given them a whole new identity, to which is the key to their success. Whilst City are typically known for their possession based football, this can cause a loss of momentum in their play, but this season, they have use their players to their advantage to be unpredictable and direct, making them the hardest team to beat this season. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Kerstin Casparij has had an undoubtedly phenomenal season. A total standout, and true evidence of the influence of performance under different managers. Whilst Kerstin has always been a solid right back for Manchester City under all management, this season, under Andree Jeglertz, she has taken her game to a whole new level. This level is her attacking workrate. Taking on a Lucy-Bronze-esque style of a right back - doing the attacking work just as much as the defensive - Kerstin rocks up with a leading 7 assists this season, and a place in the WSL team of the season, which, of course, is why she is a standout player amongst the GA team. 

Yui Hasegawa has also been a standout midfielder in the WSL since she arrived, but this season, being given the option to rotate with Laura Blindkilde-Brown. Yui is known her composure on the ball, passing vision, football IQ and her ball winning ability which has been given more freedom this season. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Now, of course, Bunny Shaw is the superstar of the WSL. Golden boot winner for the second year in the row, WSL team of the season, WSL Player of the season, and the epitome of a no9. Bunny is a player that every fan wants in their team, is a nightmare to defend, and is always on the scoresheet. Whilst it is rumoured that Bunny is set to depart the club at the end of this season, she has left a legacy that any upcoming striker will aspire to achieve. 

As for the rest of the WSL, Chiamka Nnadozie is a standout, underrated keeper in the league. Whilst she isn’t clinching the golden glove just yet, she is the first player to achieve African Goalkeeper of the year award 3 years in a row. Nnadozie also has the highest save percentage in the league, at an impressive 74.7%, some of which have been responsible for jaw dropping results to gain points against Manchester City and Arsenal.