Sam Kerr, Rachel Daly and Mary Earps are among the top 30 women's footballers playing in the UK today, but exactly where they rank ?
As 2023 draws to a close, this week Telegraph Sport will be ranking the UK's top 30 players across a range of sports, starting with women's football.
To be in the top 30, players must be playing right now for the club in Britain.
30 – Sjoke Nysken (Chelsea and Germany)
She joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, and many believed that the 22-year-old could become one of Chelsea's future players , but she hit the ground running and quickly established herself as a key player in Emma Hayes' midfield. Her box-to-box style of play has helped her score four goals in her first seven WSL games.
29 – Kenza Daly (Aston Villa and France)
The France midfielder, who was sorely missed by Aston Villa due to injury earlier this autumn, is one of the most underrated players in the WSL and she, together with Rachel Daly was very effective last semester.
Kenza Daly formed a wonderful partnership with Rachel Daly – Daly-Daly – last season for Villa. particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/2a5da760-3c96-44c5-b43e-16e310e10d28.html?direct=true&id=2a5da760-3c96-44c5-b43e-16e310e10d28″ class=”tmg-particle voice wrp-2a5da760-3c96 ” -44c5-b43e-16e310e10d28″ name=”Kenza Daly (Aston Villa and France)” data-business-type=”editorial” loading=”eager” scroll=”no” Frameborder=”0″ style=”width: 100 % ; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: static; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;”> 28 – Fuka Nagano (Liverpool and Japan)
Building a stunning midfield Partnering with Austrian Marie Hoebinger, Nagano has been a major reason for Matt Bird's team's improved form in recent months and has consistently demonstrated his strong technical ability.
27 – Chloe Kelly (Manchester City and England)
With a powerful shot, quick feet and huge potential, Kelly has all the qualities needed to become a superstar striker. The next stage in her development should be to constantly increase the number of goals in her game.
26 – Celine Bizet (Tottenham and Norway)
He currently has the most successful forward throws of any WSL player this campaign and is also a contender for goal of the season. Already having a 22-year-old girl behind her, she has become a real revelation for Tottenham under the leadership of Robert Vilahamn.
Brilliant solo goal by Selene Bizet 👏
Tottenham lead against Liverpool.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ZgKNov4WFv
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 12, 2023 -4ba9-b94a-e3c407c44ae6.html?direct=true&id=71013100-b58b- 4ba9-b94a-e3c407c44ae6″ class=”tmg-particle voice wrp-71013100-b58b-4ba9-b94a-e3c407c44ae6″ name=”Celine Bizet (Tot) Tenham and Norway)” data-business-type=”editorial” loading=” eager” Scrolling=”no” Frameborder=”0″ style=”width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; Position: static; display: block; padding: 0px; margins: 0 px;”>25 – Stina Blacksenius (Arsenal and Sweden)
A tireless trickster who held down Arsenal's fort at the end of last season when they were out of options in attack, Blacksenius has not received the recognition she deserves. She is a natural goalscorer and has extensive international experience in one of the most consistently successful national teams.
24 – Ella Toon (Manchester United and England)
Toon seems to come alive at Wembley and she is at her best when she makes well-timed runs into the box from midfield. The determination of these runs seems to fluctuate depending on her confidence level, and statistically she has had a tough time at the start of the season. But when she's on form, there are few better suited for the big games. As for England, they have not yet reached the extremely high bar set by Fran Kirby as number 10, but they still excelled in the World Cup semi-final and have the potential to do even better.
23 – Caitlin Foord (Arsenal and Australia)
There are few players in the world who are better at cutting the ball from the left flank and shooting into the far corner, but Foord can also be very unselfish and intelligent use the ball. What could test her now is the awkward competition for places following the success of Chloe Lacasse and Alessia Russo, as well as the return to form of several Arsenal strikers.
22 – Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City and Japan)
Calm on the ball, cool under pressure and seemingly always two passes ahead of everyone else on the pitch, the Japanese midfielder has become an integral part of Manchester City and There are very few more technically gifted number 6s in the game today. Some were surprised when City signed her in a holding role as she had previously impressed in attacking midfield at West Ham, but it turned out to be a great decision.
Hasegawa has been a revelation for City in her new role. Photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images 21 – Frida Maanum (Arsenal and Norway)
In December, Maanum was voted Women's Player of the Year by the Football Supporters Association. Maanum was also named in the PFA Team of the Year last season and deservedly so after excelling at Arsenal in a more attacking role.
20 – Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea and Canada)
Lawrence is quietly emerging as one of the season's new signings, showing great positional maturity, defensive awareness and composure, as well as being versatile in a variety of defensive roles. Arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain and with extensive Women's Champions League experience, she is proving to be a bargain for Chelsea.
19 – Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea and Scotland)
The true unsung heroine of Chelsea's title defense and the archetypal team player, Cuthbert was rightly tipped for selection for Team GB if they qualified for next summer's Olympics. As it turned out, this did not happen. But her influence on Chelsea remains difficult to overestimate.
18 – Catarina Macario (Chelsea and USA)
However, to make his Chelsea debut due to injury, Macario could provide some impetus to the attacking line after the winter break. She has endured a difficult 18 months on the treatment table, but when she makes a full recovery, the WSL will see a true gem of a player with enormous talent.
17 – Kim Little (Arsenal and former Scotland)
At 33, Little continues to consistently prove that she remains one of the very best. A flawless first touch, excellent The vision and always the attitude of a professional model is what defines her brilliant career.
Kim Little remains the model Arsenal professional. telephone 4 d- 1528473a206e ” name=”Kim Little (Arsenal and former Scotland)” data-business-type=”editorial” loading=”eager” scroll=”no” Frameborder=”0″ style=”width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: static; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0 px;”> 16 – Geise (Manchester United and Brazil)
The Brazilian striker's careful control, balance and strength, coupled with her ever-increasing adaptation to the English game, excites Manchester United fans She is expected to score more goals, but this will definitely happen over time when everything is decided.
15 – Millie Bright (Chelsea and England)
Nearly indomitable in the air and a superb organiser, Bright has been an important part of every major trophy-winning team in Chelsea's history and she was on the verge of becoming the first England captain to win a World Cup since Bobby Moore in August's final against Spain. in Sydney. A knee injury meant she was a bit rusty in the group stage, but she was flawless in the knockout games.
Millie Bright (left) has been an inspiration for club and country in 2023. Photo: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire 14 – Leah Williamson (Arsenal and England)
Hardly ruled out since April with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Williamson missed the World Cup but her return in 2024 will be a major boost for club and country. Off the pitch, since leading England to glory at Euro 2022, she has become one of the game's most beloved names.
13 – Katie McCabe (Arsenal and Ireland)
They say she “only scores goals,” but there's more to McCabe than just her long shots, the way she wears her shirt and her ability to get into little “after” plays with opponents. No player has made more successful passes into the opposition penalty area this season in the WSL than McCabe, and no left-footed player has hit the ball as deftly. Her class and versatility as a striker and defender is of great value to Arsenal.
12 – Alessia Russo (Arsenal and England)
Russo, the subject of a prominent and high-profile summer domestic transfer, may not have scored many goals, but her all-round contribution, delay and link-up make Arsenal the better team. She's just great.
Alessia Russo is refunding the transfer fee. Photo: Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images 11 – Fran Kirby (Chelsea and England)
With the “football brain” her manager admires, there aren't many top tens in the world. It's hard to believe she's 30. It feels like she burst onto the 2015 World Cup scene just last week. A brilliant football player.
10 – Rachel Daly (Aston Villa and England)
A natural striker with excellent striker's instincts in and outside the box, Daly deservedly won the PFA Player of the Year award, voted for by her peers, after working her way to the Golden Boot last season. She did a decent job at full-back for her country over the summer, but her best position is without a doubt at number nine.
9 – Lauren Hemp (Manchester City and England)
The world saw just how good Hamp can be thanks to her performance in England's World Cup semi-final win over Australia in August when she called the shots. , and now Manchester City fans are watching her get even better. However, they are seriously concerned that her current contract expires next summer.
Lauren Hamp, in a familiar blue suit, but this time for England, reeks of lionesses' a second World Cup semi-final victory over Australia. Photo: Sajjad Imanian/DeFodi Images via Getty Images 8 – Beth Mead (Arsenal and England)
When fit, Mead remains England's greatest attacking weapon – and her return from injury contributed greatly to England's 6-0 thrashing of Scotland at Hampden Park. Fans of the Lioness may always wonder what would have happened if she had been available at the World Cup.
7 – Alex Greenwood (Manchester City and England)
Greenwood is truly excellent on the ball and all the World Cup and WSL ball statistics confirm this. Only Barcelona's Mapi Leon is in the same league when it comes to the best left-footed centre-backs in the world.
6 – Mary Earps (Manchester United and England)
Named FIFA Women's Best Goalkeeper and finishing fifth overall in the Ballon d'Or – higher than any goalkeeper previously – it was quite a year for Earps, who rocketed to further glory by saving a penalty in the World Cup final. It remains to be seen whether she will remain at Manchester United as she has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal as she approaches the final six months of her contract. Whatever her next move, her stock has never been higher.
Mary Earps is FIFA's 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year. Photo: Stephen Paston/PA Wire 5 – Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal and Netherlands)
The WSL simply hasn't been the same during the 11 months that the division's top scorer has been out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and all neutrals will welcome her return. her best result is in 2024. Her role at Arsenal has become deeper, so the incredible goals she scored in her early years in England may not be repeated, but her authority in the game will not be diminished.
4 – Khadija “Bunny” Shaw (Manchester City and Jamaica)
With 20 WSL goals last season, narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot and back in top form this season, Shaw deserves all the praise. Her hat-trick against Tottenham in the WSL in November epitomized her prowess in front of goal.
3 – Jill Roord (Manchester City and the Netherlands)
Simply a brilliant signing for Manchester City. The club reportedly paid a fee in excess of £300,000 to buy her from Women's Champions League finalists Wolfsburg, and Roord is worth every penny.
2 – Lauren James (Chelsea and England)
No player in Britain is guaranteed to put fans on the edge of their seats quite like the 22-year-old, the standout talent of her generation, and no player terrifies defenders more. She is not a finished product yet and there is room for improvement in her off the ball and pressing position as she continues to develop, but in terms of ball skills, creativity and entertaining for fans she is the golden girl.
Lauren James is the best English player in the WSL and has almost limitless potential. Photo: Harriet Lander – Chelsea/Chelsea via Getty Images 1 – Sam Kerr (Chelsea and Australia)
Pure box – office and pure class: her game without the ball – remains at the highest level, and her eye for entertainment has raised the profile of the women's game.
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