Standard Sport identifies five players to watch ahead of the FA Women’s Super League…
Bethany England | Chelsea
She may have missed out on Phil Neville’s World Cup squad last summer, but Beth England’s performances for Chelsea since returning from a loan stint at Liverpool in the 2017-18 season have finally been rewarded at international level.
The 25-year-old was selected in the squads which faced Belgium and Norway, making her debut as a substitute in the 3-3 draw with the Belgians in Leuven last month.
The winger, whose versatility and attacking prowess means she can also operate as a central striker, found the net 12 times in 18 appearances for the Blues last season - a dozen of which were starts.
With international teammate Nikita Parris having transferred from Manchester City to European giants Lyon in the summer, only Arsenal hot-shot Vivianne Miedema remains in the League of those who outscored England last season.
England is expected to start more matches for the Blues in the coming season, and providing her impressive form from the past 12 months continues, she will no doubt be battling it out with Miedema again this campaign for the golden boot.
Vivianne Miedema | Arsenal
Top scoring with 22 League goals on her way to winning the WSL title with Arsenal, Vivianne Miedema claimed collective and individual glory last season.
The 23-year-old was named PFA Players' Player of the Year as well as picking up the Women's Player of the Year at the London Football Awards for 2019.
The Gunners won the League despite missing a host of key stars through injury throughout the campaign, and defender Jen Beattie, who defended the title with Arsenal in 2012 and has returned to the club this summer after six years, is excited to see what this squad is capable of at full strength.
"They did such an incredible job," she said. "This year the main thing for us is to stay fit and healthy, when our squad is fully fit there is no reason why we can't defend the title and go on to win more trophies."
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk | Liverpool
If Liverpool are to achieve any of their aims this season, then Courtney Sweetman-Kirk’s goals will be vital.
The 28-year-old heads into her second campaign with the Reds having made the short journey across Stanley Park from local rivals Everton in the summer of 2018.
Sweetman-Kirk, who had been the Toffees' top scorer in their first season back in the WSL - went on to repeat the feat for their near neighbours the following year.
Ten of the striker's 13 goals last term came in the WSL, and any improvement on that figure this time around would help Liverpool beat a disappointing eight-placed finish.
That is certainly the main target for manager Vicky Jepson, who is overseeing her first full season in charge of the club.
The former development squad boss was appointed to the role after Neil Redfearn's shock departure just a month into the last campaign.
Ellen White | Manchester City
With Nikita Parris making the move to Champions League winners Lyon, all eyes at Manchester City will be on summer signing and England's World Cup star Ellen White to deliver in front of goal.
Joint top scorer in France, White joins City as they look to bridge the narrow gap to champions Arsenal and brings a new dimension to the front line in Manchester.
"Ellen just needs to touch the ball and it goes in so I hope she does the same this year," new teammate Demi Stokes said.
"She works hard, works her bloody socks off. That is what you need, people like Ellen in the team.
"She’s an out-and-out No9 and that is what we want. We’re very good at building and I think people might say in the past that we create a lot and don’t score too many. I think Ellen will provide that for us."
Megan Walsh | Brighton
Frightening forwards can be found all across the League this season, but there will be a number of nifty shot-stoppers looking to deny them in goal.
None more so than Brighton's Megan Walsh, signed on a one-year-deal from relegated Yeovil Town after making more saves than any other keeper in the League last season.
Brighton manager Hope Powell has both Walsh and Sophie Harris to call on in between the sticks this term and the former England coach is someone her new signing is relishing the chance to work under
