WSL 2022-23 Awards - Best manager, best player, biggest disappointment & more
Is it really all over? So it is. A title-race for the ages and a relegation battle that went to the wire, the 2022-23 WSL season was an enthralling and engrossing occasion that can now, officially, finally be filed away.
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea once again laid claim to the WSL trophy, their latest final-day hoorah at relegated Reading hosting a drastic contrast of emotions for the two sides competing. As Hayes’ players romped through another trophy-lift tableau in front of their voracious fanbase, Kelly Chambers’ Reading stood motionless on the pitch’s opposite side, taking in the Blues’ raucous bacchanal as they attempted to reconcile their own sentencing to the Championship after eight seasons in the top-flight.
Meanwhile, Manchester United pushed the eventual champions to the brink, and while their 1-0 victory over Liverpool secured only runners-up status, the unanticipated success of Marc Skinner’s side this season has been one of the campaign’s more thrilling subplots.
Arsenal defied an ACL plague to keep hold of a European place, while Rachel Daly’s goalscoring exploits at Aston Villa have positioned Carla Ward and co as an exciting prospect for next season.
Was Bethany England’s record-setting move to Tottenham a successful gamble? For Spurs faithful, next season’s WSL status would certainly indicate yes, with her 13 goals in 11 league games their indisputable lifeline. But whether Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman agrees will be the ultimate decider. Leicester City boss Willie Kirk deserves plenty of plaudits for his salvation mission of the Foxes, who looked destined for the drop in December but have shown an edge that few, if any, could've predicted.
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
So what did we make of it all? Some of our writers have handed out their end-of-season awards, including Best Manager , Best Player , Biggest Disappointment and more:
Best Manager
Megan Feringa - Emma Hayes [Chelsea]
If nothing more than Hayes' terrifying ability to not only maintain Chelsea’s insatiable appetite for silverware but to augment it season upon season. The Chelsea boss also made an emergency hysterectomy and a subsequent six-week absence from the touchline a forgettable asterisk on another historical season. It is frankly ludicrous and the inimitable signature of a manager redefining the role.
Emma Hayes with her 13th major trophy for ChelseaBeth Lindop - Willie Kirk [Leicester City]
When Kirk took the reins at the King Power Stadium in November, Leicester City didn't have a single point on the board and looked destined for a return to the Championship. However, miraculously, they finished the campaign in 10th place, five points clear of the drop zone - a huge testament to Kirk's shrewd January recruitment and ability to instil a clear identity in a previously disillusioned squad.
Jack Lacey-Hatton - Emma Hayes [Chelsea]
Jonas Eidevall would be a deserving winner of this for the way he has led Arsenal amidst an unprecedented injury crisis, whilst Willie Kirk worked a miracle at Leicester. But over the entire 22 game quest, Emma Hayes was the best manager. The way she keeps this Chelsea team evolving is a joy to watch and they always know how to get the job done when the season hits crunch time.
Best Player
Megan Feringa - Guro Reiten [Chelsea]
The league leader in assists (11) and a whopping nine league goals (joint seventh-most in the league), Reiten was directly responsible for 30% of Chelsea’s 66 league goals scored, but the numbers only begin to paint the reality of Reiten’s evolution to next-level competitor. The league was effectively wrapped up in the penultimate weekend because of Reiten, a typifying demonstration of her selfless consistency.
Guro Reiten celebrates scoring Chelsea's second against ReadingBeth Lindop - Rachel Daly [Aston Villa]
Man Utd boss Skinner sends firm message to Arsenal over Russo contract saga
Daly scored 22 goals in 22 games to win the WSL golden boot, matching Vivianne miedema’s record for goals scored in a single season in the process. The England international has been a talismanic figure in an Aston Villa side that defied all expectations to seal a top five finish and has to be the Lionesses' starting striker at this summer's World Cup.
Jack Lacey-Hatton - Guro Reiten [Chelsea]
Simply the champions' outstanding player. Reiten has taken her game onto a whole new level this season. At times Emma Hayes has deployed her at wing-back, forward, left winger and as a defensive wide midfielder. But wherever she played, Reiten always delivered, turning up for the big games with the obvious example her impact against Arsenal on the penultimate weekend. It was a real squad effort from the Blues but Reiten was the star. When it comes to vision and control of the football, she is in a league of her own.
Best Breakthrough Season
Jack Lacey-Hatton - Man Utd
Rather than an individual I'm going to cheat slightly and plump for the entire Man Utd squad. We shouldn't underestimate the difficulty of breaking into the WSL top three. Not since Liverpool were champions back in 2014 had a side other than Chelsea, Arsenal or City occupied those spots. Yes, United were years too late to reintroduce their women's team, and yes, they have a decent budget. But it to actually do it on the pitch and go so close to a trophy was a major breakthrough. Marc Skinner and his squad deserve great credit.
Beth Lindop - Jess Park [Everton]
While Chelsea's Lauren James has enjoyed a stellar season at Kingsmeadow, I've opted for a player who has been a huge part of Everton’s top flight revival this term. Park has been a revelation for the Blues on loan from Manchester City, impressing with her ample technical abilty, guile and a level of football intelligence that is beyond her years. She has surely done enough to earn herself a seat on the plane to Australia and New Zealand this summer.
Megan Feringa - Maya Le Tissier [Manchester United]
A stand-out for United time and time over, it takes conscious reminding that the 21-year-old relished only her first season for the Red Devils this year, so seamless and mature has her transition been into Skinner’s title-chasing backline. United conceded the least number of league goals all season (12) and honed an admirable ability to grind out results. Le Tissier was key in this and her displays should deservedly earn a World Cup call-up.
Biggest Disappointment
Megan Feringa - West Ham's second-half of the season
Paul Konchesky’s side sat four points off Manchester City (15 pts to 19 pts) heading into the winter break, touting a mission of “closing the gap” that felt genuinely conceivable. Come May, the Hammers were waving Konchesky through the managerial exit door, a total of six points accrued since the turn of the year (half of which arrived in the final two matches). Lethargic displays bereft of cohesion relied on goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to stave off relegation threats. A big summer ahead, with serious introspection needed.
Beth Lindop - Tottenham Hotspur
After securing a fifth-placed finish last season, Tottenham have spent much of the campain teetering on the brink of WSL relegation, with the goalscoring heroics of January signing Bethany England ultimately helping them over the line. Manager Rehanne Skinner was belatedly given her marching orders in March after a run of nine straight defeats, but Spurs cannot afford let that level of poor performance go unchecked again if they harbour serious ambitions of climbing the table.
Spurs were in a relegation battle for most of the season (Photo by George Wood - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Jack Lacey-Hatton - Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs were just a shambles really, their final placing of ninth is feels generous indeed. As Beth pointed out, had Beth England not joined in January, I think they would be preparing for life in the Championship next season. Home games at Brisbane Road felt utterly soulless, although the did play at the men's stadium on three occasions after Christmas, which seemed to generate an improved performance. Those running the club need to decide this summer whether they are truly serious about women's football.
Best Transfer
Jack Lacey-Hatton - Rachel Daly [Aston Villa]
22 goals in 22 games. An incredible season from Daly, after spending the summer filling in at left-back for England, she reminded us all what an explosive forward she can be. This one transfer transformed Aston Villa from mid-table mediocrity to a team that, on their day, can genuinely challenge the top four. On current form she should be starting upfront for the Lionesses this summer.
Megan Feringa - Bethany England [Tottenham Hotspur]
A domestic record signing tagged clung to England when she swapped west London for north, but that pressure didn't ruffle the 27-year-old as she single-handedly saved Spurs' season from existential crisis. England’s 13 league goals in 11 matches for Spurs is not only a sensational return on investment that pips Sam Kerr in the league’s top-goalscorer chart, but makes the argument against England's inclusion in the Lionesses’ World Cup squad a stupefying conundrum.
Beth England's goal fired Tottenham to safety after arriving in JanuaryBeth Lindop - Bethany England [Tottenham Hotspur]
It’s hard to look past Rachel Daly for this award however, when you look at the impact England has made on a struggling Spurs side [and consider Daly has already bagged my ‘Best Player’ gong] she just about edges it. However, it remains to be seen whether her tally of 13 goals in 11 league games has convinced Wiegman to include her in her 23-player World Cup squad.
Best Moment
Beth Lindop - Hot dog gate [Chelsea/ Liverpool]
My 'Best Moment' is born out of what was actually a damning indictment of the professionalism - or lack thereof- in the top flight of the women's game. In January, Chelsea and Liverpool's WSL clash was abandoned after just seven minutes due to a frozen pitch at Kingsmeadow. In the aftermath of the carnage, Emma Hayes promised a free hot dog to any ticket holder who returned for the rearranged match. And, earlier this month, the Chelsea boss made good on her pledge, with the club roping in a hot dog van especially for the occasion.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes speaks with the assistant referee, as Chelsea's game against Liverpool was called off (PA)Megan Feringa - Women's FA Cup Final crowd [Chelsea/Man Utd]
Slightly cheesy but the sight of a packed-out Wembley Stadium for a women's football match is a sight that will be difficult to grow weary of. The domestic record crowd at this season's Women's FA Cup was not only remarkable in its sheer capacity but also in its vibrancy and its portent: the appetite for women's football has grown at an exponential rate this year, and will only continue to do so.
Jack Lacey-Hatton - Lauren Hemp's goal against Chelsea [Man City/Chelsea]
Nothing against Chelsea. But this goal in front of a noisy, packed out, Academy Stadium was the defining moment of women's football weekend back in March. Hemp's stunning finish put City on course for a big win that ensured we had a genuine four-way title race on our hands. Domestically I haven't seen a higher quality match all season. And for all we want to see as many games as possible in larger stadia, the atmosphere was electric.
Most Underrated Player
Beth Lindop - Emma Koivisto [Liverpool]
For starters, I think Liverpool's season in general has gone under the radar. The Reds have been comfortably ensconced in the safety of mid-table for months and boast the joint-highest points tally of any newly promoted side in the modern WSL era. Emma Koivisto has been a huge part of that. The Finnish right-back arrived at Prenton Park from Brighton last summer and has been close to an ever-present fixture in Matt Beard's side, featuring in all but one WSL game and registering two goals and four assists across the campaign.
Megan Feringa - Hayley Ladd [Man Utd]
The Welsh international has been an integral crux of Skinner's United, without whom pushing Chelsea to the brink might have looked a very different challenge. Her consistent savvy and unflashy displays in midfield allowed United's stars to shine, though you could always count on Ladd to provide a screamer when required. Her Manchester derby opener on the penultimate weekend? *Chef's kiss*
Frida Maanum for possession with Hayley Ladd during the WSL match between Manchester United and Arsenal (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Jack Lacey-Hatton - Yui Hasegawa [Man City]
Honourable shouts for Brighton's Katie Robinson and Everton's Gabby George. But whenever City have looked close to their best it's normally because Hasegawa is having a stormer. Every player I've spoken to at City rates her and she might get even better next year.
Biggest miss for next season
Jack Lacey-Hatton - Reading
The Royals have always had an uncanny knack to spring shock results on the big teams during their eight seasons in the top flight, like when they beat Chelsea last season. WSL expansion will happen one day, but it would be nice if it wasn't all teams backed by men's Premier League clubs. Reading's relegation means newly promoted Bristol City will be the only non-PL team in the top flight next season. Hopefully they can compete.
Beth Lindop - Ona Batlle [Man Utd]
Batlle has been one of the best players in the league this term and therefore it's little wonder she is being coveted by a host of top European clubs. With her contract expiring this summer, it looks likely the Spain international is set for a return to childhood club Barcelona, though nothing has yet been confirmed [hence the asterisk]. Marc Skinner revealed at the weekend United are doing everything behind the scenes to try to convince Batlle to stay however, if the Reds fail to do so, the right-back will be very much missed at Leigh Sports Village.
Megan Feringa - Magdalena Eriksson [Chelsea]
The volume of the standing ovation presented the skipper at the Select Car Leasing Stadium as her number flashed upon the fourth official's board for a final time is testament to the Swede's inimitable impact across her six years at Chelsea. The numbers -- 104 appearances, eight goals, 11 major trophies -- barely do justice. When Millie Bright's injury threatened to implode Chelsea's defence in the season's final stages, Eriksson held the Blues firm and defiant, conceding only one league goal in the final seven matches.
Tenacious, selfless and with a football brain to match. Chelsea will do well to recruit a leader like her.
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