Khadija Shaw, the striker for Manchester City, has been awarded the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year accolade.
Shaw is on track to claim her third consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) Golden Boot, having netted 19 goals in 21 matches, with one league fixture left for the newly crowned champions, City.
At just 29 years old, Shaw, who joined City in 2021, is on the brink of becoming the first player in WSL history to score 20 or more goals in three separate seasons.
This marks the second time the Jamaica international has received the FWA award, having first won it for the 2023–24 season.
Shaw garnered the vote overwhelmingly, finishing ahead of Arsenal striker Alessia Russo, the previous winner, who came in second. Chelsea forward Lauren James took third place.
Shaw is expected to depart City this summer following stalled contract negotiations.
Chelsea, who dominated the league with six consecutive titles before City’s recent triumph, are rumored to be the frontrunners to acquire Shaw, who previously expressed no intention of leaving.
However, miscommunication has prompted her to consider other options, with Chelsea reportedly offering a contract of at least one additional year compared to City’s proposal.
Reports indicate that Chelsea is willing to offer Shaw a salary of up to £1 million per year.
Though Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has not commented specifically on Shaw, she did confirm in a recent press conference that acquiring a top striker is a key priority for the team.
City’s manager, Andree Jeglertz, expressed hope that Shaw would sign a new deal with City, noting, “The most important thing right now is to enjoy our player and for her to compete with us.”
On Sunday, City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals (15:30 BST), with the winner advancing to play either Liverpool or Brighton at Wembley on May 31.
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Analysis: Does more global recognition beckon?
Shaw’s remarkable scoring abilities have established her as one of the world’s top strikers, and it is no surprise that clubs are eager to sign her this summer.
With her contract nearing expiration, Chelsea is the leading candidate to sign her on a free transfer.
Parting ways with their star striker would be a substantial loss for City, as Shaw has consistently been a decisive player and poses a significant threat to opponents.
In seasons past, City struggled to maintain their title challenges when Shaw faced injuries, a stark contrast to this season where she has been a starter in all 21 WSL matches.
Notable performances this season include her stunning hat-trick against Tottenham in March and a remarkable four-goal display against Aston Villa in December.
Her teammate Sam Coffey described Shaw as “a player in a video game,” highlighting her effortless ability to dominate defenders and score goals.
If Shaw can showcase her talent in the Women’s Champions League next season, her achievements are likely to gain international recognition, especially after being overlooked in previous Ballon d’Or awards.
[BBC]
Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie return for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes are released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, along with interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed