After finishing fifth last season, Tottenham are aiming to break into the WSL’s top three and secure a return to the Women’s Champions League.
Alongside Hanson, Spurs have added West Ham’s leading scorer Shekiera Martinez, promising France defender Alice Sombath from Lyon, and creative midfielder Victoria Pelova from Arsenal this summer.
That depth means fierce competition for starting spots—something Hanson welcomes. She feels settled in the WSL but doesn’t consider herself among the very best and remains highly self-critical. She expects a tough battle for minutes and isn’t taking anything for granted; her focus is on continual improvement, with plenty more levels to reach—something Martin recognises too. Aware of the quality in the squad, she’s excited to learn from teammates while also helping others, as she has at every club. She admits she may not be the most naturally gifted, but her hunger and fight set her apart; she’ll do whatever it takes for the team and hopes she’s already shown that.
Hanson’s numbers underline her impact. Last season, she scored 43% of Villa’s goals and, among the league’s top five scorers, had the best shots-on-target rate at 50%. She wasn’t just a finisher either: only two teammates created more chances than her 16, and she recorded the most touches in the opposition box. Her work rate stood out defensively too, ranking among the leaders in her position for tackles and interceptions.
Off the pitch, the Scotland forward says she has matured and holds a degree in sports coaching she hopes to use. She believes her game management has improved—knowing what to do at key moments and how to calm teammates. When she previously worked with Martin she was younger and found that harder, but now feels she has grown significantly.