Winners and Losers: A Breakdown of Every WSL Club’s Winter Transfer Manoeuvres

After 31 days of rumour, speculation and shocks, the WSL window has again slammed shut. 10 of the 12 clubs made permanent signings as they looked to bolster and beef up their squads, and of course, there are winners and losers already emerging on paper.

How does each team stack ahead of a busy few months of football?

Chelsea: B

The devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury to Sam Kerr threatened to cause a significant headache for Emma Hayes’s side. Instead, they responded by smashing the British transfer record to sign Colombian star ​​Mayra Ramírez from Levante. The powerful striker looks like a great acquisition, as does the shrewd signing of Nathalie Björn from fellow WSL outfit Everton.

These outlays were offset by the departure of Jessie Fleming for over £250k to Portland Thorns. Although Fleming was a useful squad option, the Blues have ample midfield combinations still and Fleming had at times struggled to show the same form for her club as for her country. Youngsters Aimee Claypole and Cerys Brown also departed for minutes on loan whilst Kateřina Svitková will continue rehab at Slavia Prague. However, there are still potential gaps in the defence, particularly with the impending Gold Cup taking away both Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan.

Manchester City: B-

Considering that Gareth Taylor’s team already had a thin squad, it was surprising to see them allow both Julie Blakstad and Deyna Castellanos to depart on permanent transfers. Although Castellanos did generate a good fee, the subsequent injury to Jill Roord does mean they now look light in the midfield area.

Rather than go for proven quality, City have gambled on young players to fill the holes. Laura Blindkilde Brown joins for a hefty fee, but this may very quickly turn into a bargain. Poppy Pritchard has impressed with Durham, however, the step up to the WSL is incredibly steep. A similar jury-out verdict has to be ruled on Tara O’Hanlon from Peamount United. Can these players cope with the pressure of a possible title tussle?

Arsenal: C+

Jonas Eidevall’s side was expected to have a quiet window and despite endless links to Mary Earps, their only incoming was the excellent Emily Fox. The right-back bolsters a strong squad that is also being beefed up by the returns to full fitness of Leah Williamson and Viv Miedema. Sarah Bouhaddi is an adequate option for short-term goalkeeping coverage.

Noelle Maritz has already made a notable impact for her new club Aston Villa, albeit not in the expected manner. She was very much a fringe player at the Gunners, so it made sense for her to move on. Similar sentiments can be reluctantly applied to Arsenal legend Jen Beattie. Kathrine Kühl and Gio Quieroz have both left on loan for regular and long overdue game-time. Lina Hurtig remains on the fringes, however.

Manchester United: F

With a poor run of form, Marc Skinner frequently referenced a need for the Red Devils to invest to keep up with the other sides above them. Instead, the first half of the window was dominated by the will-she-won’t-she saga of Mary Earps leaving, and some tenuous links to Poppy Pritchard, before the rumours pretty much dried up.

Alyssa Aherne returned from her loan at Everton, after struggling to make much impact. Saf Middleton-Patel has departed to Watford for another loan. Calls for reinforcements have not been heeded and as United have floundered on the pitch, in truth, all this window has shown is how far Manchester United lags behind their rivals.

Liverpool: E

Matt Beard’s team are enjoying a good season, but they may regret not being more aggressive in the winter window. An excellent summer of acquisitions has seen an upturn in form, and perhaps the addition of one or two quality players could have given the Reds a better chance of stealing 4th spot.

Natasha Flint returns to Celtic after struggling for minutes on Merseyside whilst Miri Taylor heads off to Aston Villa to get game-time.

Tottenham Hotspur: A

Robert Vilahamn returned to Sweden once again to pick up the excellent Matilda Vinberg, adding much-needed pace and trickery to the Lilywhites. Charlotte Grant is also a great acquisition: a versatile young defender who is only going to improve with game time. Wang Shuang provides a great deal of knowledge for the young Spurs midfield and Amanda Nildén is another player with prior WSL experience.

Angharad James leaving was a bit of a shock, but it was heartening to see a manager place a player’s needs over the team. Asmite Ale leaves on loan after struggling for minutes, but she is adequately replaced by Nildén. Similarly, Shelina Zadorsky’s departure is covered by Grant's joining. Multiple youngsters have left to get experience on loan. Overall the squad looks very balanced as Vilahamn continues to reshape the North London side.

Leicester City: B+

Twelve months ago, Willie Kirk’s side signed Janina Leitzig and Ruby Mace on loan, who went on to be integral players as they survived relegation.

With no significant senior departures, the Foxes have only bolstered a squad which is already a seemingly comfortable seven points away from the drop zone. Ale will be hoping to have a similar impact to Mace as the young defender chases game-time. Yuka Momiki and Saori Takarada both come in after excellent spells at Linköping FC and add real attacking and creative qualities. Emilia Pelgander also looks like a shrewd starlet for the future.

Aston Villa: C-

Carla Ward’s struggling Villains were dealt a huge blow on Deadline Day as Manchester City snatched away starlet Laura Blindkilde Brown for her release clause of around £200k. The loan deal for Miri Taylor does provide a similar player. Still, she is not really of equivalent quality and compounded with the absences of Lucy Staniforth and Lucy Parker, this deal will hit hard.

On the plus side, Noelle Maritz is a smart signing for her wealth of experience, and Freya Gregory’s return from her loan at Reading does at least offer Ward another option as they look to avoid a shock relegation.

West Ham United: A+

If West Ham were criticised for poor recruitment in the summer window, they made up for it in January. The Hammers swiftly went out to acquire three excellent experienced signings: enforcer Katrina Gorry, defensive leader Shelina Zadorsky and star quality Kristie Mewis from NWSL Champions Gotham FC. Rehane Skinner’s side also crucially managed to keep ahold of key players including the talented Honoka Honoyashi, Hawa Cissoko and Viviane Asseyi.

Lisa Evans’ move to Bristol City didn't affect the team dynamics, as she had fallen out of favour in East London. Neither does the loan departures of Jessie Stapleton, Keira Flannery and Mel Filis. A very happy post-Christmas indeed for the Hammers.

Everton: C

Brian Sorensen’s side already had to deal with a plethora of injuries, and the departure of key defender Nathalie Björn did not help matters. Finances are tight and squad depth is minimal. Rikke Madsen does at least offer another wide option after Nicole Sørensen’s surprise retirement and Kathrine Kühl on loan will give Everton fans some reasons to be optimistic.

However, Megan Finnigan being the team’s top WSL goalscorer with 3 says it all: the Toffees desperately needed someone who knows where the net is to stave off any faint worries of the drop. Could exciting talent Eleanor Dale prove to be that person?

Brighton & Hove Albion: D-

After an ambitious summer window, Brighton decided on more moderate ambitions for January. Taylor Smith joining on loan from Gotham FC provides goalkeeping cover for No. 1 Sophie Baggaley, with previous loan Nicky Evrard returning to Chelsea to continue rehabilitation after her injury. Mackenzie Hawkesby never seemed to settle in six months on the coast and returns to Sydney FC.

Melina Loeck might prove to be a good long-term challenger for the keeper jersey, signing from Kristianstads DFF but overall, the seagulls didn’t have much to shout about this time and this mimics their disappointing recent form.

Bristol City: D

The Robins were always going to struggle to avoid slipping back into the Championship and whilst they have not suffered any devastating departures, they have also not strengthened a squad that has been crying out for defensive experience and midfield steel. 

Lisa Evans will chip in with a few goals, but she is not a long-term solution. Similarly, Sarah Stratigakis offers international experience and might also be able to be a creative spark, but there is still a gaping hole for opponents to play through. Shae Yanez impressed in the Women’s Championship with London City Lionesses, but is unproven in the WSL and her signing feels like early preparation for next season’s potential push for another promotion.

Do you agree with our selections? Who do you think had the best winter window in the Women’s Super League?