Exciting Chelsea have depth to retain the title
The Lioness turned pundit makes her predictions for a season which promises so much after latest arrivals
Who will win the title?
Chelsea. They have the depth and an amazing manager in Emma Hayes. She is forward-thinking and the infrastructure she has built to drive performance is unparalleled. Pernille Harder can add another dimension to their play and they are just exciting all over the pitch.
Who will take the other two Champions League spots?
Arsenal have added depth to their squad. That was something they were severely lacking last year, when injuries to Beth Mead, Jordan Nobbs and Kim Little meant they fell away. Manchester City have also realised that and have added Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis and Chloe Kelly. They have gone for quality as well as depth.
Best summer signing?
The one I am most excited to see is Rose Lavelle. She was catapulted into the media spotlight in the World Cup last summer and was a star. She reminds me in a lot of ways of Kelly Smith: strong, mega-creative, able to drive down the middle to get to goal.
Top scorer?
I am going to stick with Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema. She is potent in the 18-yard box and Arsenal will supply her with plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
Most valuable unsung player?
Sophie Ingle. She is like a Roy Keane type of player: does the dirty work, breaks up play, plays the ball 10 yards to get out of trouble.
Which teams will struggle?
Birmingham are making alarm bells ring for me. I have seen the haemorrhaging of players in the extended off-season, including the long-serving Kerys Harrop. The club means so much to her. For players like that to have left, I feel like there is something seriously going wrong.
Outside the big three, who has impressed you?
I like the work Everton have done, but I think West Ham. They seem to be the club with the most international flavour. It is symbolic of where the league is at right now and it is symbolic of Matt Beard.
What is your biggest hope for new season?
That we can get fans back, and get the continuity that we have lacked in previous seasons. Last season, we had Liverpool playing at Tranmere and Chester due to their pitch issues, and games were postponed for weeks.
What are you most looking forward to?
The goalkeepers. To see so many young England ones in the league – Hannah Hampton at Birmingham, Ellie Roebuck at Manchester City, Sophie Baggaley at Bristol City – is amazing.
Manager of the year
Casey Stoney, if she can break into that top three and get Champions League football at Manchester United. But I cannot look beyond Emma Hayes. I just feel she is doing things on another level.
Player of the year
I loved Bethany England winning it last season. She had been an OK player at Liverpool and Doncaster Belles, but then I do not think it is any coincidence that Emma Hayes got this new version of Bethany England. This season BT Sport is showing more Barclays FA Women’s Super League matches than ever before starting with Aston Villa vs Manchester City today on BT Sport 2 and available for free on btsport. com, BT Sport App, Youtube and Facebook from 2pm.