Anita Asante’s Women’s Super League Team of the Season So Far

After 10 rounds of Women’s Super League fixtures this season, Chelsea currently leads the standings. Despite the challenge of choosing from numerous outstanding performers, Anita Asante has compiled her best XI for the season to date. Regarding the goalkeeper, Asante notes that this player joined Manchester United at a time when she was “sceptical” about the team. The player successfully filled the significant void left by Mary Earps, demonstrating “leadership qualities” and performing “immense[ly] in between the sticks.” She has recorded seven clean sheets in the WSL, and her distribution is described as “excellent,” contributing to an “impressive first half of the season.” Asante highlights the trust the back five has in her, with “every confidence in her abilities in and out of possession,” which is crucial for a defender seeking a controlling presence who “demands things from their team-mates.” Asante found this defensive selection challenging, acknowledging the strong performances of Emily Fox, Lucy Bronze, and Casparij. However, she believes Casparij is “underrated.” In all her observed games, Casparij has shown the capacity to “get up and down the wing to support attacks,” is “really composed on the ball,” and makes “really good decisions in possession.” Her positional play is “pretty spot on,” and she “exudes a level of confidence.” Asante describes her as an “all-round footballer” who could be trusted to “fill any spot in your team if you needed her,” noting her consistent performance. With Chelsea at the top of the table, Asante suggests their defensive strategy is effective. Observing Millie Bright, Asante acknowledges she “is maybe not where she was at her peak” but emphasizes this indicates her exceptional quality. She explains that increased experience enhances a player’s understanding of “shortcomings” and how to leverage “super-strengths.” Bright is adept at positioning herself well and “puts her body on the line for her team,” being the player who “will make the block, get smashed in the face and lose her modelling career!” Asante also praises her “unbelievable range of passing,” which enables her to transition the team “from back to front.” Despite being only 22, this player possesses extensive experience. She has elevated her performance again this season, contributing to Manchester United’s best defensive record in the league. She is in excellent form during her inaugural season as captain, described as a “good distributer of the ball” and “very versatile.” Asante notes that young players are stepping into significant leadership roles at United, leading from the back and representing “the nod to the future.” She speculates that this player could potentially break into the England squad if her current form continues. This player was previously inconsistent in Jonas Eidevall’s team, playing various positions including left-back, right-back, and right wing-back, often unsure of her role. She has since adapted exceptionally well to the left-back position under Renee Slegers’ desired playing style. Asante highlights her “defensive mentality” and eagerness for “duels,” balanced with her “quality in possession to create threatening opportunities.” She possesses a “wicked left foot” and is considered “one of the best left-footed players around,” also contributing “set-piece qualities.” Asante emphasizes her desirability for any team. This player merits inclusion for her standout performances. While acknowledging other great players like Fran Kirby at Brighton and Yui Hasegawa at Manchester City, Asante states that Jess Park has fulfilled “everything you would ask from a young player.” Park’s journey involved a loan spell, dedicated effort, breaking into the England squad, and now consistently featuring in City’s starting line-up. Asante commends her patience, especially given that her playing time was not anticipated after the signings of Jill Roord and Vivianne Miedema, attributing her success to her quality. Park scored a “stunning goal against Arsenal” and has been performing exceptionally since. She is noted for having “the fastest feet in the league in terms of her skill” and is highly effective at “linking the midfield to the attack.” This player has experienced a breakthrough year with England, and Asante considers her a strong contender to secure her place in the team for Euro 2025. She has maintained the form she displayed at Tottenham since joining Manchester United and is currently their joint-top scorer. Asante particularly enjoys her “drive to want to make things happen,” her willingness to “take responsibility on the pitch and wants the ball,” creating a sense that “something could happen.” She also possesses “tenacity and a bit of edge,” excelling at “winning the ball back in high areas” through her pressing. Asante notes her defensive improvement this season, which she expects to continue, highlighting her potential by adding defensive attributes to her recognized attacking prowess. This player, once an established Arsenal player who then became less central, is now a key figure, demonstrating her value to the team. Asante regards her as “one of the best midfielders in the modern game,” praising her well-timed runs into the box and finishing ability. She likens her to “an old-skool Steven Gerrard,” capable of finding space and linking attacks. Her “exceptional finesse with both feet” allows her to score both intricate and “simple goals.” Asante asserts that midfielders who can score goals are crucial for competing at the top of the table, identifying her as a key player in Arsenal’s transformation under Slegers. While initially enthusiastic about Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Asante notes her recent quiet performances. Though still highly regarded, Asante felt compelled to include Mayra Ramirez, even if not in the number nine position, due to her significant impact at Chelsea. Ramirez, aware of Sam Kerr’s injury, stepped into a substantial role. Her “unreal goal” against Manchester City showcased her “sheer confidence and quality.” Asante credits Ramirez for being Chelsea’s focal point and performing the role effectively. Asante found this forward selection difficult, acknowledging the excellent performances of Nikita Parris at Brighton, Elisabeth Terland for Manchester United, and Alessia Russo’s improved form with Arsenal. However, she consistently chooses Khadija Shaw, who season after season has been the primary focal striker, scoring “a ridiculous number of goals.” Asante states that “the goals speak for themselves,” describing Shaw as an “all-round forward” and a challenging opponent due to her “football intelligence and her presence on the pitch.” Since her injury, her integral role at Manchester City has become evident. The team almost “malfunction[s]” when she and Khadija Shaw are unavailable, losing their rhythm without their combined link-up play, as reflected in the recent defeat by Everton. As a defender, she is described as the player one would “dread to come up against,” causing “sleepless night[s].” She is “direct, quick with the ball,” capable of turning defenders “inside and out,” and is “crafty, clever, creative,” with “a great delivery into the box.” She is also adding more goals to her game and is “relentless.” Even when her actions are predictable, her execution is so superior that her “trademark moves” are “difficult to stop.” While Brighton’s Dario Vidosic and Arsenal interim manager Slegers have done commendable jobs, Sonia Bompastor is Asante’s clear choice for manager. Having excelled as both a player and a manager, her words carry significant weight. Asante describes her as a “very self-reflective and honest manager,” noting that she has never heard Bompastor “brush over a performance when the team hasn’t played well but still won.” Despite demanding high quality, she is protective of her team. Asante acknowledges Bompastor’s understanding of the challenge in succeeding Emma Hayes, but highlights her ambition to “carve her own legacy” and “create her own connection,” anticipating a continued evolution in Chelsea’s identity. Anita Asante’s insights were shared with BBC Sport’s women’s football news reporter Emma Sanders.