The Women’s Super League summer transfer window came to a close on Thursday as clubs prepared for the start of the highly anticipated 2022-23 season.
It was originally set to kick off on Saturday, with Tottenham taking on Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, but was postponed along with all football fixtures across the country following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Whenever things do begin, the league will be looking to capitalise of the back of a successful few months for women’s football in England. The Lionesses won their first title on home soil in a 2-1 victory over Germany in front of a record crowd at Wembley as the European Championships headlined the summer, breaking several records for attendance and viewership in the process.
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While the Euros took centre stage, WSL teams have been preparing for the season and notable transfers have been made across the league with several of the top teams seeing big names join their ranks while some key players have retired.
So, with the summer transfer window now closed, attention turns to the start of the league and how clubs have integrated their new signings and who will make the biggest impact on the pitch. Here are the key signings to look out for ahead of the 2022-23 WSL season.
Chelsea add defensive experience and versatility to powerhouse squad
Reigning champions Chelsea have bolstered their squad with experienced defensive talent in Kadeisha Buchanan and Eve Perisset as they look to win a fourth consecutive WSL title, and aim to win the Champions League for the first time.
Buchanan joins the Blues from Lyon, where she spent five-and-a-half years and won five Champions League titles. The Canada international has played for her country 123 times and was a key member of the squad that won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. An experienced defender, the 26-year-old, who was nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2015, will add the experience of playing in big European games that Chelsea is looking for to help them compete in the Champions League this year.
