Mariona Caldentey:
The forward moved from the Spanish side Barcelona in the Summer to join Arsenal on a free transfer. The world cup winning Spaniard has already scored for her new colours as she scored in the Women’s Champions League. Caldentey is already a fan favourite for the gunners as the inside forward player was a key to Barcelona’s formation and contributed throughout in attack. She spent ten years in Barcelona and racked up 303 appearances scoring on 115 occasions (fifth highest in club history) and won 25 trophies which was the fourth most.
As a prolific goal scorer and trophy winning forward, Arsenal were happy to secure the player as they found that they needed a goal scorer who could get Arsenal back to winning major trophies like the Women’s Champions League and the Women’s Super League. So far she has played twice in the Women’s Super League and played four games in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Despite being well known, Caldentey is one to watch as she is playing her first season in the Women’s Super League and wants to be more known in the UK.
Bruna Vilamala:
The 2002 born striker went on loan this season from spanish side Barcelona to Brighton on the south coast. She debuted for Barcelona’s first team in February 2020 aged only 17, with her being the fourth youngest to debut for the culers. In October 2018, she suffered an ACL tear, and three years later in October 2021, she suffered a second ACL tear in a Spain U23 Friendly. 13 months on, she returned before having a few more setbacks before returning in 2023/24 to make more appearances and get back to full fitness.
Bruna Vilamala is a player to watch as she gets back to full fitness and playing regularly week in week out and Fans of the Women’s Super League should keep an eye out for her throughout the season. The striker chop and changes in between defenders and always looks for the goal as well as looking to assist players too. In June 2024, she made her Spanish first team debut against Denmark in the Women’s EURO 2025 Qualifiers and scored her debut goal in the same game as the side trailed and won 3-2 in the end.
Olivia Smith:
The 20 year old midfielder moved from Sporting CP to North West side Liverpool this summer as she looks to improve and get more game time throughout the season. She played for the collegiate system in the United States before signing for North Toronto Nitros in League1 Ontario. After her first season, she was named Young Player of the season, Forward of the year and won the golden boot after scoring 18 times in only 11 appearances.
She signed her first professional contract for the portuguese side, Sporting CP and on her league debut she scored and assisted as well as winning player of the year and young player of the year. People who are fans of the Women’s Super League and Liverpool should focus on Olivia Smith and the way the midfielder cuts in and goes between defenders to either get on the scoresheet or assist her teammates.
Hayley Raso:
Many fans of the Women’s Super League recognise the next name of Australian Hayley Raso. She used to play for Manchester City as she left in 2023 before moving to Spain and playing for Real Madrid in the 23/24 season. After only one season, Raso was released and Tottenham Hotspur snatched her up for the season. Hayley Raso has been on the Matilda’s since 2012 and has featured in the 2019 and 2023 World Cup as well as the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. In 2023, she was nominated for the Ballon D’or.
Hayley Raso has been an active player throughout her career and should be a player to watch in the new Women’s Super League season as she is a player that is quick on and off the ball and loves to get on the scoresheet whenever she is playing. She loves to help the team wherever possible and if she comes off the bench or starts the match, she wants to get on the scoresheet.
Chasity Grant:
The 2001 born player moved from Ajax to Aston Villa during the summer as she settled down for her first season in the Women’s Super League. The Dutch right winger or wingback loves to come forward when she plays to help the team as much as she possibly can and to ultimately get on the scoresheet.
She made her national team debut in February 2022 and was called up to the European Championship Qualifying matches in May and June 2024. Chastity Grant is a player to keep your eye on as she is new to the Women’s Super League and she can be one to watch this season and in the future. She scored on 22 occasions at her time in Ajax and she loves to focus forward and on her goal scoring opportunities.
Written by Lauren White
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