WSL clubs that still need to buy after eye-catching January transfer deals
The 2023 January transfer window is already a busy one for WSL clubs.
Teams at both ends of the table are looking to recruit for the second half of the season, knowing that one signing here or there could determine the fight for the title or the battle to avoid relegation. Already a third of the way through January, some clubs have opted to flex their recruitment muscles.
Aston Villa have continued to add quality to their squad, bringing in international experience in the form of English midfield duo Jordan Nobb s and Lucy Staniforth. Both were struggling for game time at Arsenal and Man Utd respectively, but if they can hit top form at Villa Park, Carla Ward's side will have a great chance of a top-half finish.
Arsenal have also looked to get their transfer business done early. Highly-rated Danish international Kathrine Kuhl has joined from FC Nordsjælland, with Victoria Pelova also joining from Ajax.
Both arrivals were needed with key players like Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema currently sidelined with injury. Arsenal were also linked with a move for Brazil international Debinha but the move failed to materialise, however they have bolstered their forward options by recalling Gio Queiroz from her loan at Everton.
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Meanwhile, North London rivals Tottenham have made the signing of the season so far. Spurs managing to poach Beth England for a record fee from Chelsea, with the forward keen to get back in the national fold.
Beth England will hope a move to Tottenham boosts her chances of going to the 2023 World Cup finals (Getty Images / 2023 Tottenham Hotspur FC)Liverpool have also made a an early move in the window, bringing Gemma Bonner home following her spell in the USA with Racing Louisville. Meanwhile Brighton have already signed four players this month, including Norway international Guro Bergsvand.
But which WSL clubs still need strengthening before the end of the month?
Manchester City
Before the Christmas break, manager Gareth Taylor set his Man City team the ambitious target of going unbeaten for the rest of the season to win the WSL. But it will be a tough ask unless City are strengthened with new arrivals this month.
Sat fourth in the table, they did sign seven players last summer but this was necessary to counteract losing several senior players in a whirlwind transfer window. Taylor lost top goalscorer Ellen White, Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley to retirement and then saw a trio of Lionesses, Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh, all move overseas.
Caroline Weir also left for Real Madrid, forcing City into something of a new era for 2022-23. Some arrivals have fitted in straight away, particularly defender Laia Aleixandri who looks like one of the signings of the season.
But they could do with some bite in midfield. Yui Hasegawa has looked a good addition from West Ham, but ideally could do with a physical presence alongside her. In addition, Laura Coombs' contract expires at the end of the current season.
It is believed that City do have money available to bring in new players and you wouldn't be surprised to see new faces arriving at the Academy Stadium over the next few weeks.
Leicester City
New manager Willie Kirk during a Leicester training session (Getty Images/ Leicester City)Bottom of the league without a point to their name, Leicester need to do something drastic in the second half of the campaign to save themselves from relegation to the second tier.
Willie Kirk will almost certainly be bolstering his squad in the coming weeks, with defence the top priority. City have leaked 25 goals in their opening nine WSL games and lost 4-0 at Liverpool in the League Cup, so stabilising the backline will be key.
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This is why a move for Man City defender Ruby Mace seems to make sense. Reports this week indicate a loan deal until the end of the season could be on the cards. The former Everton boss is thought to want at least four players, meaning Mace is unlikely to be the only new arrival.
Often deployed as a loan striker, Natasha Flint has only scored once so far this season and needs help at the top of the pitch if the Foxes are to start firing. Former Aston Villa striker Shania Hayles has been finding the net for Bristol City in the Championship this season, scoring seven league goals, and may present a realistic option.
In midfield, Charlotte Wardlaw could be a shrewd loan signing after she returned to parent club Chelsea from Liverpool at the start of the month.
Manchester United
Surprisingly, Man Utd are one of the clubs yet to make a move in the January window. In fairness, manager Marc Skinner's current crop have hardly put a foot wrong this season, sitting third in the table with only one defeat on their record.
Maya Le Tissier celebrates with Millie Turner after opening the scoring against Reading. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Signings made last summer, including Maya Le Tissier, Nikita Paris and Lucia Garcia, have all brought a level of depth and competition to the first team squad lacking in previous seasons. But with a title challenge now a serious possibility, surely United should recruit from a position of strength? Skinner even hinted before the winter break that his squad is not yet complete and that further additions are likely.
This is how the top clubs generally operate and if the Red Devils want to stay amongst the elite, a signing or two may be required this month. One area that does need strengthening is at full-back. Ona Batlle and Hannah Blundell have been superb this season but as the only specialised full-backs, an injury to either could prove disastrous.
Swedish teenager Hanna Wijk has been linked with a move and would provide not only cover, but competition as well. In addition, United may also need to find the budget for another midfielder following Staniforth's move to Villa. Although the England international struggled for minutes this season, she could play anywhere across the middle of the park and could always be relied upon when needed.
In the forward department, Alessia Russo's United contract is up at the end of the season. Getting the England striker to agree to a new deal may prove to be the best signing of all.
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