The Season Veteran
They say football is most enjoyable when a player is scoring goals, particularly when that player is a striker, and this is exactly what Khadija Shaw has been doing this season in the Women’s Super League.
There is an argument that Shaw is not the best striker in Europe, with players such as Alessia Russo, Aitana Bonmatí, Ewa Pajor and Temwa Chawinga also in contention. However, the Jamaican forward has been lighting up the WSL, scoring 18 goals so far, with the season still ongoing.
At 29 and in her prime, Shaw is demonstrating that she has the ability to score consistently and dominate defenders in the opposition box. She combines raw power with a refined touch, making her extremely difficult to contain.
Reaching the milestone of 100 goals this season, Shaw has scaled new heights and is firmly entering conversations as a modern legend for Manchester City Women.
When she joined the club in 2021, there were doubts about whether she was the right fit and whether the team required a different type of striker. Over time, however, she has silenced those doubts, consistently delivering high level performances whenever she steps on to the pitch.
After winning the WSL Player of the Season award for the 2023 to 2024 campaign, many expected Shaw to continue her rapid rise, although her progression appeared to level off slightly for a period. Now, however, she is rediscovering her very best form and should be firmly in contention for major individual honours, including FIFA and UEFA player of the year awards.
Shaw deserves to receive the same level of recognition as players such as Aitana Bonmatí have enjoyed in recent years. It may be that the profile of her national team, Jamaica women’s national football team, plays a role in the level of attention she receives compared with her peers.
Nevertheless, her performances this season make a compelling case for inclusion in player of the season discussions and even consideration for the Ballon d’Or.
