Tottenham Hotspur
After a 7th placed finish in their debut top-tier campaign, Tottenham will be looking to replicate that feat this year. Managed by Karen Hills and Juan Amoros, Spurs will hope to solidify their WSL status for the long-term.
A busy summer saw the arrivals of five players to North London (so far!). Both Kerys Harrop and Rachel Williams signed from fellow WSL side Birmingham City while goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen made the move south from Manchester United. They also further reinforced their back line with the loan arrivals of Australian international Alanna Kennedy and Canadian international Shelina Zadorsky from Orlando Pride.
Spurs have been left with an overload of defensive players going into the 2020/21 campaign with eight senior defenders of which five have represented their countries at senior level. They do look a little short in the middle of the park however with only Anna Filbey, Josie Green and Chloe Peplow in that position.
Midfielder Josie Green was handed the captaincy for the upcoming season during the summer as Spurs faced a successful pre-season. It included victories over Championship pair, Sheffield United and London Bees without conceding a goal and scoring seven between the two ties. The strikers have been finding the net early on with Rianna Dean and Angela Addison netting twice each and Kit Graham also getting on the scoresheet during pre-season. Defenders Hannah Godfrey and Ashleigh Neville have also been on target while Siri Worm registered three assists in the game with London Bees.
Striker Rianna Dean was the highest league goalscorer for Spurs with four, scoring a memorable strike against week one opponents, West Ham last year. Fellow forward, Jessica Naz is returning from long-term injury, while it is unsure whether Rosella Ayane still has any suspension games to serve after a dismissal before the termination of the 2019/20 WSL season.
Tottenham welcome London rivals, West Ham United to The Hive on the opening weekend before facing a trip to Everton in round two.
Below we take a look at three players that could have a big season ahead with Spurs:
Star of the Show: Ashleigh Neville – DF – £30,000 – 120 points during the 2019/20 campaign
One of the three senior defenders without international caps, the 27-year-old full back made the step up to the WSL after only signing her first professional contract in the summer of 2019 last season, and what a debut campaign it was. Neville recorded 120 ShePlays points rewarding loyal managers. She featured in 13 games throughout the season starting 12 and playing an influential role as an attacking right back. Although she didn’t register a league goal herself, she had the highest points total for an English right back in the WSL. If another season like last was to follow this campaign, Neville could well appear on the national team radar. With Spurs preferring to play out wide, she is certainly one to keep eyes on, and although a slight price rise to £30,000, Ash is one of the first names on my ShePlays team lineup.
Learn more about Neville’s career so far here
New Arrival: Kerys Harrop – DF – £22,500
Tottenham’s loan signings of international starts Kennedy and Zadorsky will ultimately take the limelight but the arrival of Kerys Harrop from Birmingham could be a great piece of business. Arriving on a free, Harrop left Birmingham after spending all of her career with the Blues so far. The 29-year-old can play at centre back or most likely left wing back and after scoring 45 points last season in a struggling Birmingham side and a hefty injury absence, the move to Tottenham could benefit hugely. At £22,500 the price is worth a shot, especially if Harrop nails down a weekly starting spot.
Kid on the Block: Angela Addison – FW – £15,000 – 20 years old
A young attacking, wide player, Addison has performed well in pre-season for Spurs. The 20-year-old scored twice against London Bees in a friendly and will be looking to push on throughout the campaign. She made two league starts during the 2019/20 campaign, appearing off the bench a further five times, scoring once. An eye for goal, Addison scored three in three in the Conti Cup last year and is likely to make the step up to the WSL this time around. She recorded 24 ShePlays points last season, and as one of the only out and out wide players in the Spurs squad, could feature regularly if this tactic is used. Spurs prefer to play the width and at the lowest price category could be worth a space on your fantasy bench.