Impact on English youngsters’ game time ‘inevitable’

Asked if, despite boosting the league’s profile, the new overseas arrivals would take away opportunities for the development of young English talent, Aston Villa defender Anita Asante told BBC Radio 5 live: “Absolutely, I think it will to some degree, I think that’s inevitable.

“The top clubs are driving the standards in terms of the professional game – you’re going to pull in the best talent across the world.

“It might make it a bit more challenging for those youth players to really get that first-team experience that players used to get.

“That’s a challenge and a balance that clubs are going to have to strike, depending on their own philosophy. Clubs aren’t always geared towards national team development either.”

The issue is one the Football Association are mindful of and it was confirmed on Wednesday that a new homegrown players quota has been agreed from the 2021-22 season, meaning that – from, next season – at least eight of a club’s 25-player squad must have spent at least three years training in England prior to their 21st birthday.

The FA hopes to increase that quota further in future years, however, no such rule will be in place this term and – even when it does come in to force – it will not stipulate the number of homegrown players who must feature in the matchday squad.

Is the WSL now the best league in the world?

This summer’s big-name foreign arrivals come quickly after last winter’s signing of Australia star Sam Kerr by Chelsea, with more and more of the sport’s top players now choosing the WSL, when previously European champions Lyon and American clubs seemed to have a monopoly on the best talent.

So why are so many players now feeling that England is the place for them?

France’s attacking midfielder Kenza Dali, who joined West Ham United in 2019, said: “Everyone wants to play in England.

“I mean, the league is going to be really hard. When you play in the French league, you already know you’re going to have two levels: Lyon, PSG, Montpellier and the rest. In England it is completely different.

“Every game is really hard and as a player you are looking for a league like this. You don’t know who is going to win the league or who is going to be last.

“When you speak to a male player they want to play in England and it’s starting to be the same with the women.”

When asked why she moved to the WSL, Australia midfielder Ella Mastrantonio – a new signing for Bristol City – said: “Europe is really booming for women’s football right now and I think the WSL is one of, if not the best league in the world.

“Just look at all the signings that are coming over, all the best players in the world are attracted to the league.”

Asked whether she was concerned about the impact this summer’s 43 non-English signings might have on young English players, Kelly Simmons, the FA’s director for the women’s professional game, replied: “It’s one to watch, for sure. It’s something that we’ve been talking to the clubs about and the board.

“We are increasing the number of loans, to give the clubs a chance, and that comes in this season, to make sure that young talent who are maybe not getting on [the pitch] can go out on loan and get key game time, which is so important for their development.

“We’re doing a review as well; we’ve got four pilot clubs where we are reviewing our player pathways. So, alongside rules, we’ve got to make sure we’re producing top, top talent, so we get this blend of English and [foreign] world-class talent.”

The new WSL season begins on Saturday, as newly-promoted Aston Villa host Manchester City at Villa Park.