Can big-spending London City Lionesses upset the WSL status quo? | OneFootball

As the dust begins to settle on the Women’s Super League after an eventful summer transfer window punctuated by Grace Geyoro’s world-record move to London City Lionesses, a brave new world is emerging.

Chelsea, champions for six straight seasons and unbeaten in domestic competition last term as they pulled off an extraordinary domestic treble under Sonia Bompastor, will naturally be strong favourites to preserve the status quo, while Manchester City and Arsenal will likewise harbour title ambitions.

But the landscape is shifting around the established order, reshaped by the vaulting ambition of Michelle Kang, the billionaire owner of London City, whose lavish summer spending has seen no fewer than 17 new faces arrive at Cobdown Park since last season’s promotion campaign.

Quality additions

The quality of those additions is undeniable, with manager Jocelyn Prêcheur – poached from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in another bold statement of intent – able to call on a host of Champions League winners, league champions and seasoned internationals.

The profile of the Frenchman’s squad runs the gamut from the youthful vibrancy of Jana Fernández, the 23-year-old defender whose trophy haul at Barcelona included five Primera División titles and three Champions League medals, to the composure and technical excellence of Daniëlle van de Donk, 34-year-old Dutch international who won every domestic trophy with Arsenal before conquering France and Europe with Lyon.

It is too early to know where it will all lead for London City, and the challenge facing Prêcheur as he attempts to assemble the pieces of his expensively-acquired jigsaw is clear. Matching the established elite will take time, not least because the traditional big hitters have likewise brought in some fine players over the summer.

How the elite have strengthened

Chelsea have splashed a club record £1,1m on the versatile 20-year-old US international winger Alyssa Thompson, whose arrival follows that of Australia full-back Ellie Carpenter, a two-time Champions League winner with Lyon. Canada international Olivia Smith briefly became the WSL’s record signing when she secured a £1m move to Arsenal, who have also made Chloe Kelly’s loan move permanent, while Manchester City have been buoyed by summer additions including Sydney Lohmann, Iman Beney and Jade Rose.

Is it too early for London City to challenge at the top of the table?

Crucially, all those signings will walk into established squads with experience of challenging at the top end of the league. The same cannot be said for London City, and yet there are plenty of precedents in modern football that suggest, given a sound transfer strategy and good management, good players can quickly cohere into an effective unit.

Is it too early for London City to challenge at the top of the table? Probably. Kang has suggested a mid-table finish is the minimum requirement, and it would be a surprise if that target was not achieved with something to spare; with a fair wind, the newcomers could conceivably push for a top-five spot.

What is certain, though, is that Kang is not done. The 66-year-old has made no secret that she wants to win things, and she has put her money where her mouth is. Change is afoot, and it may not be long before the traditional powers feel its effects.