3 days to kickoff: WSL countdown – Manchester City vs. Birmingham City

The beginning of the Women’s Super League (WSL) 26/27 season is inching closer, with the opening match set for Friday 4 September. With three days to go, The Boar Sport is counting down to kick off!

Every day leading up to the inaugural blow of the whistle, we will preview a pair of WSL sides facing off on opening weekend, analysing their summer business and setting expectations for the campaign ahead. Next in line is Manchester City and Birmingham City!

Manchester City

Fresh off an emphatic domestic double, Manchester City enter the upcoming WSL season with the target firmly on their backs. Under the guidance of head coach Andrée Jeglertz, City ended a ten-year wait for WSL glory, racking up 55 points with an incredible 18 wins from 22 matches before rounding off a historic season with a 4-0 FA Cup final triumph over Brighton at Wembley. Powered by a flawless home league record and an attack led by Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw, City’s relentless consistency saw them pull clear at the top, highlighted by a statement 5-1 victory over title rivals Chelsea.

The reigning WSL champions kicked off their summer business by securing their biggest asset: Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. After weeks of mystery and mounting questions over whether the Jamaican superstar would remain in Manchester, City finally put the speculation to bed with a dramatic on-stage announcement, revealing Shaw had signed a four-year contract extension that will keep her at the Joie Stadium through 2030. Fresh off being crowned WSL Player of the Season, Shaw’s new deal not only secured one of the world’s most lethal centre-forwards but reportedly made her the highest-paid women’s footballer in the world. This may well prove to be their most significant piece of business this summer as they prepare to defend their title and return to the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Rather than overhaul a squad that had just delivered a domestic double, [Man City] focused on targeted additions

The rest of City’s summer transfer window may have been small, but it was certainly mighty. Rather than overhaul a squad that had just delivered a domestic double, the club focused on targeted additions, strengthening both ends of the pitch with two proven players from domestic rivals. Chelsea full-back Niamh Charles arrived to add defensive quality and experience, while Arsenal forward Beth Mead brings another creative and goal-threatening option to Jeglertz’s attack. Both players also have significant Champions League experience, giving City valuable know-how as they return to Europe’s top competition.

The window was not without a significant departure, however, as Brazilian forward Kerolin parted ways with the champions. Following an 18-month stint in East Manchester that included 14 goals, six assists, and crucial big-match heroics, the 26-year-old winger completed a high-profile, record-breaking £1.25m move to Barcelona. While her game-changing flair in attack will be missed, the massive fee received gives City immense financial strength to reinvest in the squad down the line.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the demands of competing in the Champions League while also aiming to retain their WSL crown this season. Squad depth will be crucial as they look to navigate a demanding schedule and challenge on both fronts.

Birmingham City

From one league winning team to another, Birmingham City Women completed a dramatic campaign of their own last season, topping the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) table. Under head coach Amy Merricks, the Blues weathered a late-season stumble that saw inconsistent results to seal promotion on the final day, topping the table with 44 points and edging out Crystal Palace on goal difference. With 14 victories across 22 league matches and a division-best +22 goal difference, Birmingham earned their long-awaited return to England’s top flight after four years away.

Birmingham made a statement by signing defender Millie Turner and midfielder Lisa Naalsund from Manchester United

Ahead of the new campaign, the club restructured its squad by releasing eight players upon the expiration of their contracts, alongside three loan players returning to their parent clubs. The list of departures included captain Christie Harrison-Murray, experienced forward Lucy Quinn, goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, and midfielder Lily Agg, who retired following the promotion-winning season.

In mid-July, Birmingham made a statement by signing defender Millie Turner and Norwegian international midfielder Lisa Naalsund from Manchester United. Both players bring crucial experience from United’s FA Cup-winning side in 2024, and Champions League run last season. Their arrival is complemented by the addition of former Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley between the posts.

The club continued its summer business by adding technical depth and international talent, signing Japanese midfielder Suzu Amano from Swedish side Växjö DFF in a club-record sale, as well as defenders Marie Levasseur and Jade Rastocle from Montpellier.

Facing off against the reigning WSL champions…will definitely not be the easiest of outings for the newcomers

Beyond the experienced transfers, one of their most exciting signings is 19-year old French forward Chancelle Effa Effa, who broke into Le Havre’s first team at the age of 15, scoring 13 goals for them.

With their ambitious transfer business this window, Birmingham appear well placed to perhaps stay up in the WSL for the long term – arguably the best equipped out of the three promoted sides to do so.

Facing off against the reigning WSL champions on Sunday 6 September will definitely not be the easiest of outings for the newcomers. But for Birmingham City, it is an early chance to challenge themselves against the best in a league that they will hope to call home for years to come.