Ones to Watch: Barclays Women's Super League
Profiling the young stars to keep an eye on in FM26
The Cutback has partnered with Football Manager to deliver a series of articles that go deeper on the tactics and gameplay of the world’s leading football management simulation game ahead of Football Manager 26’s release.
This year, women’s football features in Football Manager for the very first time, so to get fans ready for a brand new experience, The Cutback has put together the ultimate insights on FM26. Find out about the secrets of building FM26, dive into the tactical details of all 12 WSL sides and hear about the next gen talent that will feature in the game.
Here, we’re highlighting some of the most exciting young talents in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Football Manager is all about finding the next generation of stars who will power you to success in the game. We want to platform the young players fans may not already know about, so we’ve excluded some of the more established international players and instead focused on the emerging prospects you need to keep your eye on.
Veerle Buurman
National team: Netherlands
Age: 19
Position: Central defender
Club: Chelsea
Buurman is one of the most experienced names on this list, having made her national side debut in recent continental competitions despite her young age. Last season, she started 21 matches in her country’s top flight, contributing not only defensively but also offensively with one goal and one assist and helping the team secure a place in the Champions League. She has consistently impressed in youth tournaments as well, showing maturity, composure, and a tactical awareness beyond her years.
Now at Chelsea, she looks poised to establish herself as a key figure, combining solid tackling and tight marking with excellent first touch and passing. Strong in duels both on the ground and in the air, she stands out as a naturally left-footed central defender, a relatively rare profile that adds balance and variety to possession. Surrounded by Chelsea’s experienced centre-backs, she will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the league while gradually making her own mark. With her blend of skill, potential, and composure, Buurman is a promising addition to a team competing for domestic and European honours.
Iman Beney
National team: Switzerland
Age: 19
Position: Winger
Club: Manchester City
Recently signed by Manchester City after a title-winning season in Switzerland, where she scored seven goals, she joins the BWSL as one of the most promising young wide players. Naturally an attacking winger, she stands out for her pace and acceleration, agility, and excellent dribbling. Often taking on defenders to create scoring opportunities. Her ability to carry the ball confidently and exploit spaces makes her a constant threat in one-on-one situations.
At the international level, she has also featured as a wingback, showcasing decent tackling, defensive awareness, and a tireless work rate, which highlights her versatility. Moving to City presents a challenge, as the team already has several talented players on the wings, meaning she will need to compete hard to earn consistent playing time. Nonetheless, her speed, flair, and previous goal-scoring record suggest she has the potential to make a meaningful impact and adapt quickly to the demands of top-level English football.
Carla Camacho
National team: Spain
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Club: Brighton
Carla Camacho is developing as a striker with very specific qualities that make her a classic presence inside the penalty box. In Spain, she has shown an ability to hold the ball up with simple touches and lay-offs, using her strength and positioning rather than refined technique. Her game is based more on effectiveness than flair, with off the ball movement, anticipation, and finishing standing out as her strongest areas.
Inside the area, she displays the instincts of a natural poacher, often in the right place to convert loose balls or punish defensive mistakes. She is not particularly creative in build-up play, nor does she possess standout dribbling or passing skills, but she compensates with a strong sense of positioning and an eye for goal. Her composure in front of goal allows her to capitalise on chances with few touches, and her determination to attack spaces makes her a useful option for a team looking for a direct striker.
Ruby Mace
National team: England
Age: 21
Position: Defensive midfielder
Club: Everton
Mace is one of the most notable young English talents, having progressed through the national youth teams and gradually building experience in the top flight. Developed in Arsenal’s academy and later signed by Manchester City, she initially found limited opportunities at the senior level. A loan move to Leicester gave her the chance to play regularly, and her steady performances helped the club through a difficult campaign. Decisive as she became a regular starter, she helped the team secure stability in the league, continuing her development with consistent minutes at the highest level.
Mace is recognised for her strength in duels. Her tackling is top-notch, and she possesses great off the ball positioning and anticipation to get to loose balls quicker than everyone else, leading the BWSL defensive midfielders in several ball-winning statistics. Although she’s not a creative player, her passing is still reliable and her decision-making is adequate, hardly putting herself in difficult situations and showing signs of potential for a very well-rounded player. With further experience, she has the tools to grow into a dependable presence for both club and country.
Toko Koga
National team: Japan
Age: 19
Position: Central defender
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Tōko Koga arrives with a growing reputation as a calm and intelligent presence at the back. She is particularly effective in possession, showing composure when receiving the ball and an ability to build play through simple but accurate passing. Her development has also been evident on the international stage. Having progressed through the youth levels, she is now part of the senior Japanese squad and has even scored decisive goals, underlining her capacity to deliver in important moments.
While she is not the most imposing defender in tackles, she compensates with strong positioning, anticipation and game intelligence, knowing when to step forward aggressively to intercept and when to hold back and delay an opponent. At Tottenham, she will benefit from a higher level of competition, with the chance to refine her game and learn alongside more experienced teammates.
Wassa Sangaré
National team: France
Age: 19
Position: Central defender
Club: London City Lionesses
At 19 years old, French defender Wassa Sangaré is experiencing her first true test as a senior regular. After two developmental seasons in France, where she made only a handful of appearances, her move to London City Lionesses for a season-long loan has offered valuable minutes and a platform to refine her game. So far, she has started most of her five BWSL appearances, showing composure well beyond her age and contributing to two clean sheets in her first months in England.
Tall, physically strong, and with dominant heading, Sangaré’s profile fits the mould of a modern centre-back who thrives in duels and maintains high passing accuracy with decent vision when building from the back (close to 90% success rate). Her tackling is also solid, while still developing in positioning and anticipation, areas that can make the difference in a more balanced league like the BWSL. As she adapts to the league’s tempo and intensity, Sangaré has all the raw tools, physicality, reading of the game, and calm distribution to evolve into a reliable young defender.
This is a paid partnership with Football Manager and The Cutback.