Laura Hunter picks out the most influential performers of the Women’s Super League season — the obvious game-changers and the underrated stars who quietly defined 2025/26.
Bunny Shaw — Goal machine
Bunny Shaw dominated the campaign. The 29-year-old became the first player in WSL history to win the Golden Boot three times and the first to score 20+ goals in three separate seasons. Shaw finished with 25 goal involvements and 21 goals, only two of which were penalties, and led the league with 51 shots on target. Her influence goes beyond finishing: she ranked third in final-third ball wins (26) and topped aerial duels won with 81. Manager Andree Jeglertz has praised her work-rate and pressing, saying the team’s style is built to amplify her strengths — and her all-round game this season arguably makes her the best player in the league.
Lauren Hemp — Creative spark
No one provides service to forwards like Lauren Hemp. Back to peak form after injury, Hemp finished the season as the league’s leading chance creator. Her goal tally was modest, but her deliveries and movement unlock a host of prolific finishers around her at Manchester City. Kerstin Casparij also merits a mention for her seven assists (joint-best with Aston Villa’s Lynn Wilms), giving City dangerous width on both flanks. City’s energy on the wings was decisive: they earned eight points from goals in the final five minutes across the season, a swing that helped decide the title.
Fuka Nagano — Midfield linchpin
Fuka Nagano stood out in a Liverpool side that struggled for results. Nagano controls tempo, often on the half-turn, mixing simple distribution with incisive plays and acting as the vital link between Liverpool’s thirds. Her defensive reading of the game is exceptional: she recovered the ball in the middle third 79 times, more than any other midfielder, and has become the fulcrum for Gareth Taylor’s possession-based approach.
Alex Greenwood — Set-piece specialist
Alex Greenwood’s dead-ball delivery has been a season-defining weapon. Manchester City set-piece numbers were record-breaking: 17 set-piece goals this season, 14 from corners, and Greenwood supplied at least five of those corner deliveries from her left foot. Her variety — flat, whipped, lofted, near-post, back-post — makes life easier for her teammates and gives City a consistent outlet in tight games. She is the kind of leader teams need to close out titles.
Jess Park — Debutant impact
Several young players impressed on their debuts — Olivia Holdt (Tottenham), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea) and Olivia Smith (Arsenal) among them — but Jess Park’s arrival at Manchester United was particularly influential. Park added the tactical flexibility United missed this season, stepping into roles stretched by cup demands and reduced minutes for Ella Toone. Consistent, tenacious and adept in tight spaces, Park completed more “take-ones” than anyone (39) and finished the season with 11 goal involvements, often turning isolated 1v1 situations into decisive moments.
Vivianne Miedema and Mariona Caldentey — Two different No.10 profiles
Vivianne Miedema returned to top form after injury, producing 15 goal contributions and creeping closer to a WSL century of goals. Her spatial intelligence and finishing variety — both feet and head — make her one of the most intuitive attackers in the league. Mariona Caldentey’s role at Arsenal has shifted slightly deeper this season; she’s taken on more defensive duels and second-phase recovery while developing into an elite playmaker. Caldentey completed around 550 final-third passes this season, some 200 more than the next player, underlining her importance in Arsenal’s progression through the lines.
Farewells and the transfer ripple
This summer marks the end of eras for several WSL figures. Millie Bright has retired, Chelsea will part ways with Sam Kerr, Arsenal bid farewell to Beth Mead and Katie McCabe, and Manchester City’s Laura Coombs has announced the close of a 19-year career. Those departures — coupled with increasing interest from Europe and the US — promise a busy transfer window, likely including more seven-figure moves as clubs look to reshape squads.
The biggest unsettled storyline is Bunny Shaw’s future. Strong links to Chelsea have been reported, and a signing of her profile could upend the league’s dynamics.
Summary
The 2025/26 WSL season showcased elite finishing, creative excellence, midfield control and set-piece mastery. From Shaw’s clinical output and Greenwood’s dead-ball precision to Nagano’s midfield intelligence and the fresh influence of debutants like Jess Park, this campaign highlighted the depth and tactical sophistication of the league — even as it prepares for a transformative summer of departures and high-profile arrivals.