da brwin： While some of the WSL's biggest names have been sidelined through injury, there have still been plenty of stand-out performers
da wazamba： Beth Mead, Pernille Harder, Vivianne Miedema and Fran Kirby are just four of the star names who have missed large, large parts of the 2022-23 Women's Super League season, while others haven't hit the heights perhaps imagined. It means that we've seen some different, up-and-coming faces rise to the fore across the division and get their chance in the spotlight.
We've got an unexpected name at the top of the scoring charts, rising England stars throwing their hats in the ring for Sarina Wiegman's 2023 Women's World Cup squad and still, among it all, some of the reliable, consistent performers doing what they always do: shine.
As the final day of the WSL season approaches, GOAL counts down the 21 best players of the season…
Getty21Gabby George (Everton)
Everton have had a great first season under new head coach Brian Sorensen. The Dane has brought a lot of interesting ideas to the team, including a number of different formations. In those, George has always been a key component.
Her versatility has been important in helping Sorensen be able to play how he wants before he is able to fill the squad out over the next few transfer windows, with George operating on both sides of the pitch either as a full-back, wing-back or sometimes even like a winger.
One of the biggest compliments that can be paid to the England international for the form she has produced in those roles is that her level has rarely dipped, despite the frequent changes. As well as being a rock at the back, George has been one of Everton's most productive players in the final third and one of the most impressive performers across the WSL.
AdvertisementGetty20Lauren James (Chelsea)
After overcoming the injuries that have plagued her in recent seasons, we got glimpses of James in full flow this season. The Chelsea forward is still young and still progressing, but has come up with some big moments already and shown just how good she can be.
Moreover, there are few players in the game that are as enjoyable to watch as James, who has completed the most dribbles in the WSL. Those runs and the way she can pierce through a defence have helped Chelsea carve teams open on several occasions, with her importance to the team sure to only grow as her experience does.
Getty19Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)
Hasegawa arrived at Manchester City with big boots to fill. When Keira Walsh departed for Barcelona, the Citizens splashed plenty of cash to bring in the Japanese midfielder from West Ham, and she had to settle straight away, too, as the season had already begun.
While in London, Hasegawa thrived in an attacking midfield position, but her role at City would be one more like Walsh's, as a deep-lying playmaker. It might limit her creativity slightly, but that hasn't stopped the 26-year-old from standing out.
Her calmness on the ball has been a real asset in the team's build-up play and her passing range has been showcased a little more with the space and time she has further back. When Hasegawa has got into those more advanced areas, she's been able to bring that magic to the table that she was more associated with at her previous club, too.
Getty18Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)
No player in the WSL has created more chances this season than Chloe Kelly and my word, she leads that race by some distance. The Manchester City winger's tally of 79 is at least 26 higher than any other player, with only Guro Reiten having more assists. Only James has completed more dribbles, too.
It took a while for Kelly's first league goal of the season to come, in February 2023, but it was a big one, giving City a 2-1 win over Arsenal. From there, they've flowed a lot more, the England star now having five to her name to make her the second-most productive City player in the final third, behind Bunny Shaw.