Liverpool Oliva Smith coup, Aston Villa reset, but can Tottenham adapt without Grace Clinton, Kit Graham and Celin Bizet Ildhusoy? – WSL talking point | Football news

Liverpool break club record for Olivia Smith

Liverpool have proven once again that they are not afraid to spend money. After paying £100,000 for Sophie Roman Haug last summer, this year they paid a club record £210,000 to Sporting Lisbon for 19-year-old Olivia Smith.

So what makes attacking midfielders money? After one season in Portugal, Smith was voted the League’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, scoring 13 goals in 18 appearances.

She also became the youngest player to play for Canada – doing so at age 15 in 2019 – and appeared at the Women’s World Cup last summer.

Smith has star potential, and is Liverpool’s main target this summer. Being able to not only convince him to join, but also to sign the midfielder is a real statement of intent from a team that has ambitions to break the WSL’s top three.

No Clinton, Graham or Bizet for Tottenham

Tottenham need to show their evolution this season – especially without Grace Clinton and Kit Graham.

Despite wanting to re-sign Clinton after a breakout loan season, the midfielder opted to stay at Manchester United. He scored four goals and registered four assists in 20 WSL appearances for Spurs, and his outstanding performances earned him a starting place for England.

Tottenham were also dealt another blow when Graham suffered an ACL injury, meaning he will miss most of the 2024/25 campaign after playing 18 WSL games last season.

A word also on Celin Bizet Ildhusoy, who also moved to Man Utd this summer. His relationship with Clinton was key to the Spurs’ creativity last season.

Tottenham have made some good summer signings, including Hayley Raso, Clare Hunt and Amanda Nilden, who will hopefully replace the absent Clinton and Graham.

A positive summer for Aston Villa

It’s been a summer reset for Aston Villa. Some may have been worried when Carla Ward announced her departure, but the incoming Robert de Pauw brings with him a wealth of experience from coaching on the continent. It can prove to be a smart appointment.

And the indications over the past few months have been positive. Villa are unbeaten in pre-season – including a 2-1 win over Manchester City – and have made some impressive signings.

Katie Robinson and Missy Bo-Kearns are regulars in the England senior and U21 teams, while Miri Taylor has joined permanently from Liverpool after a loan spell. Gabi Nunes’ Deadline Day confirmation was also exciting, as the Brazilian helped her country win a silver medal at Paris 2024.

Last season was disappointing for Villa after a successful 2022/23 campaign, but the club is looking to get back on track.

Fran Kirby 2.0 in Brighton

It will be strange to see Fran Kirby in a Brighton shirt. A name synonymous with the famous Chelsea blue, he now finds himself on the south coast as a new era in his career begins.

It’s impressive for the Seagulls to attract a player of Kirby’s caliber, especially when a raft of talent departed this summer.

“I want to go somewhere where I can maintain the standard and help bring that standard to other clubs,” Kirby said.

“I want to stay in this league because I still want to compete week in and week out and as long as I can help the team progress, that’s what I want to do.

“When I spoke to Brighton and they told me how much their owners are behind the women’s game, how much they want to invest and develop and see the facilities here, for me it was an exciting opportunity and one that I enjoyed. I couldn’t turn it down.”

As one of England’s best players, Kirby still has plenty to offer and with another Euro squad coming up next summer, he will be hoping to make an impact on Brighton and the Lionesses with a move.

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Have West Ham changed the quality of their outgoing players?

It’s been a busy summer at West Ham. Several first team players like Mackenzie Arnold, Hawa Cissoko and Risa Shimizu have left the club, but there are moves to replace them.

Perhaps most notable is the permanent signing of Tottenham’s Shelina Zadorsky, who has been named as vice-captain behind new club captain Katrina Gorry.

Let’s not forget that Gorry and Kristie Mewis – who were January signings – remain with the club, having now had a full pre-season to work their way into the squad.

The summer signings have focused mainly on youth. Half of them are under 24, and most of the 10 new players have no WSL experience. Loanee Li Mengwen, joining for this season from Brighton, has added a few alongside Zadorsky, although he only played in 11 league games last season.

Rehanne Skinner is one of the most experienced WSL coaches left in the league, but he has a huge task to keep West Ham competitive this season.

Can new Leicester manager Miquel bring stability?

Since promotion in 2021, Leicester have yet to experience a season with one manager. Jonathan Morgan, who saw Leicester become Championship champions, made way for Lydia Bedford in his first campaign.

Less than a year later, he was replaced by director of football Willie Kirk. He was suspended and eventually sacked in March after a relationship between Leicester’s manager and players. Jennifer Foster and Emile Heskey have been some of the coaches to take the interim.

The new Foxes boss, Amandine Miquel, hopes to bring the same stability to Reims, where he coached for several years. He led the French team to their first promotion and to the final stages of the cup competition.

Leicester have also signed some exciting talent this summer, and the Foxes may have an underachieving squad. A good performance, maybe some statement wins and mid-table should be the target after failing to reach the top 10 since promotion, which is not surprising given the instability in the field.

Will Everton move on from Sorensen?

It has been a couple of seasons indifferent to Brian Sorensen. Everton have finished sixth and eighth in the WSL under the Dane, without much of a spark.

The possibility of off-field issues regarding club ownership and points deductions for the men’s team will have an impact, but the women’s team has its own competitive aspirations.

Sorensen signed a new two-year deal in April and it is rare for Everton to be dragged into relegation danger with him. However, many at the club – perhaps the manager and the players – will want to move on.

Arguably a run in the cup competition is a good place to start, and there is some smart summer recruitment, as the Toffees look to hit the ground running in the 2024/25 campaign.

Can Crystal Palace avoid relegation?

This is the biggest question for the newly promoted side. With it being their first season in the WSL, Crystal Palace will be one of the contenders to fight relegation.

But the Eagles have brought in players with WSL experience such as Josie Green, Shae Yanez and Katrine Veje, along with some promising youngsters.

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He has to show his knowledge among teams with a lot in the Championship, but very little in England’s top flight. The step up is huge, but other teams have proven that being a WSL newbie doesn’t mean immediate relegation.

The likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Leicester have all been promoted in recent years and are now competitive WSL teams. Crystal Palace can learn from him and hope to secure their own future in the league.