The evolving role of the striker in the WSL

Managers are using their forwards in increasingly varied ways, from aerial outlets to roaming creators and wide threats.

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A look at the WSL top scorers chart makes for interesting reading. Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw comfortably tops the charts with 15 goals. Scotland forward Kirsty Hanson, who is having the best scoring season of her career at 27, scoring nine times from 16 appearances, is the surprise package, sitting in second place, with Vivianne Miedema one spot behind her on eight goals.

One more look at the chart and the absence of the league’s big strikers at the top end becomes obvious. Elisabeth Terland and Alessia Russo (whose team, Arsenal, have played two fewer games) are usually fixtures in the top five. Aggie Beever-Jones has yet to score since gameweek four; a niggling ankle injury has not helped. Australia striker Sam Kerr, who is coming off a two-year injury-enforced absence, is on two WSL goals.

The newer big forwards in the league have been doing well. West Ham’s Germany forward Shekiera Martinez has followed up her 10 goals last season after her mid-season move from Freiburg with six this term. Manchester City forward Kerolin joined in the same window and is now on seven. Summer arrivals Alyssa Thompson and Cathinka Tandberg are their teams’ top scorers, with six each. Tandberg’s 0.8 goals per game is particularly impressive, as is Beata Olsson scoring five of Liverpool’s 15 goals.