With the January transfer window in full swing, WSL teams look to strengthen their squads for the run in. Below we take a look at 5 new players to the game, that are available for selection to ShePlays fantasy managers:
Emma Kelly (Birmingham City) – MF – £12,500
Birmingham moved quickly to secure the services of the former Sunderland midfielder from Icelandic club IBV Vestmannaeyjar. The 22 year old will celebrate her birthday later this month and will look for a positive return to English football. Having been a WSL2 champion with Sunderland in 2014, the former England U19 international will hope to help solve Birmingham’s scoring crisis. The Blues have struggled for goals this season, and will hope that Kelly can rectify this. At £12,500, the midfielder could be a healthy investment for managers on a budget. She made her debut from the bench against Man City last weekend.
Jamie Lee-Napier (Chelsea) – MF – £17,500
Chelsea announced the signing of the Scottish midfielder back in mid-December before Napier joined up with the squad in January. She made her debut earlier this month after making the move from Hibernian. The midfielder 22 goals in 33 games for Hibs and will look to work with fellow Scot, Erin Cuthbert to cement a place in the Chelsea squad as well as on the international stage. With Fran Kirby lacking fitness after a virus and with fellow new signing Sam Kerr leaving for international duty, Napier will look to grasp her opportunity. At only £17,500 the 19 year old is a bargain with the likelihood of featuring in the matchday squad regularly throughout the remainder of the season.
Sandy MacIver (Everton) – GK – £20,000
Everton have been busy in the window so far, including strengthening in the goalkeeper department with the capture of the England youth international. MacIver returns to England after a 3 year spell in the United States with Clemson Tigers. She returns to her childhood club so will understand what the importance of the upcoming Merseyside derby means to the club. At £20,000, the goalkeeper who has previously been called up to the senior England squad could be a steal. She made her debut for the club last round in the 3-1 victory over Reading.
Izzy Christiansen (Everton) – MF – £50,000
The 28 year old returns to England after a spell in France with Lyon. The England international has missed the first two games for the Merseyside club through injury but is expected to be back for the next round. Christiansen will look to inspire the Toffees and what better way to start than a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Grace Fisk (West Ham United) – DF – £15,000
With the US college season coming to a finale at the end of the calendar year, clubs had an eye on those wanting a return to England. West Ham were fast to act to bring England U20 defender, Grace Fisk to East London. Fisk signed her first professional contract with the Hammers after graduating from the University of Southern Carolina. The 21 year old thrived in the US captaining her side to the title and being named United Soccer Coaches Scholar Player of the Year. The London native returns to the City and has already featured in the Hammers starting line-up against both Brighton and Tottenham. A £15,000 price tag for a starting defender is a steal for any Fantasy squad.
Other new players to the league include Sam Kerr (Chelsea) and Hayley Raso (Everton) who will both miss the next two rounds due to international duty as Australia look to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. Cecilie Fiskerstrand (GK, Brighton) and Filippa Wallen (DF, West Ham) have also been added, while Bristol City’s new midfielder Jeon Ga-Eul will be added in the coming days.
For a full list of WSL transfers visit our transfer page here: https://blog.sheplays.com.au/fawsl-transfer-news/ .
Written by Ben Waite (Follow on Twitter at @etiawneb for regular WSL updates!)