As the WSL January transfer window approaches, we look at which players City could – and perhaps should – sign this winter.
The postponement of Manchester City’s Continental Cup tie against Leicester City this weekend means Gareth Taylor and his players head into their winter break on the back of a 10-game unbeaten streak.
However, the form of Chelsea, Man Utd, and Arsenal has proved equally as impressive and means Taylor’s Cityzens side knows they will begin the new year outside of the promised land of the WSL Champions League spots.
The city held an interest in the summer, however, the long-winded transfer saga of Keira Walsh and her move to Barcelona ensured a difficult transfer window, leaving them unable to tempt Italian giants Juventus to sell on deadline day. Could they come back for her in January?
Known for scoring the winning penalty kick in the Summer Olympics 2020 final, the Canadian has balance, a low center of gravity, and creativity in abundance.
Laura Coombs and Yui Hasegawa have ensured City has not felt the loss of Walsh, Caroline Weir, and Georgia Stanway quite as much as first thought, but the injection of quality the 22-year-old would bring instantly improves Taylor’s midfield.
Janine Beckie (Forward) – Portland Thorns
It would not be a likely move, but it would be one many fans would back.
Well-liked at The Academy Stadium, the Canadian forward has attracted the interest of both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the January transfer window, indicating she could be tempted back to the WSL after leaving City in April.
Romée Leuchter (Forward) – Ajax
If City were to move for the Dutch talent, there is no doubt they would have competition such as her instinctive eye for goal and frighteningly good goalscoring record for Ajax.
Still just 21, Leuchter has scored 37 goals in 34 league games for the Dutch giants and is a real fox in the box, though she is capable of scoring a variety of different goals.
While Mary Fowler is an emerging talent that City have high hopes for, a move to sign Leuchter would instantly see them add another proven goalscorer to their ranks and would offer a challenge to Shaw for the number nine spot.
Lucy Parker (Defender) – West Ham United
Included in the Lionesses squad earlier in the campaign, the 24-year-old is adept at winning her duels in the defensive third and distributing it quickly to the creative players in the engine room. She was showing promising signs prior to a muscle injury in October.
While Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan, and Laia Aleixandre are all options in the center of defense, Parker could be seen as a longer-term replacement for legendary captain Steph Houghton.
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