Review of VSL: Chelsea, City, Arsenal for Title? LCL get up? Liverpool, Spurs in danger?

New Women’s Super League (VSL) Season starts Friday with a huge game between champions Chelsea and the name of the rival Manchester Citybefore UEFA Women’s Champions League (UVCL) Winners Arsenal Host newly promoted London City Lionesses (Who is supported by cash Washington Spirit and Ol Lion Owner Michela Kang) on ​​Saturday.

The VSL transmission window ends on Thursday at 23.00. years BST / 18:00 ET, so clubs still have little time for some offers. But what should we know about the upcoming season? Here are some worse questions.

What is more important for Chelsea and Arsenal: VSL or UVCL?

After six years passed, because Chelsea won every VSL title since 2019-20, Arsenal’s priority must prove that they can be honestly competing in the league. While retaining its European crown and reaching another final will be high on their agenda, their form of league disappointed three consecutive seasons.

Since two-way European champions are extremely achievement, but their inability to maintain the challenges of titles and maintaining the tempo with Chelsea remains a big concern. They disappeared from the title of trade before the final weekend for several seasons and defeat into teams like Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa I can’t happen again. Signatures Olivia Smith, Chloe Kelly and Taylor Hinds The position is related to that, but it would also help if the weapon could win the Chelsea for the first time in VSL since December 2023. Years.

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Meanwhile, Chelsea has firmly established as a dominant force in England. They raised the league eight times since 2015. years old and in the middle of the tour of Emma Haies last summer, the arrival of Sonia Bompastor took them to a new level. With a refreshed detection and powerful financial base, Blues submitted a undefeated season without lacking steps and will be favorites again after signing Ellie Carpenter, Mara Alber and Livia Pengfrom further Links to Angel City Forward Alissa Thompson.

However, for all their dominance, the European trophy continues to avoid them, with three straight semifinals of the exit (including 8-2 collective loss Barcelona Last season) emphasizing the gaps that still have to overtake.

And Arsenal and Chelsea dream of winning VSL and UVCL, but their immediate priorities differ. Arsenal must show that I can re-win league; Chelsea must finally translate its dominance into European fame.

Can Man City, MAN United Challenge for the title?

The energy around the man as a new manager Andree Jeglertz was restored, earlier in charge DenmarkShe conducted an open door policy that encourages players to take ownership of plans and tactics. And, with impressive summer accessories such as Sidney Lohmann, Vera Benei and Jade roseThey turned to the blanks with exposed injuries last season.

After a turbulent campaign, the detachment now seems refreshed and ready for a new challenge. This shift gave them the edge and, with the return of basic figures like Khadija “Munni” Shav, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Vivianne MiedemaMAN City looks like true candidates for mounting serious pursuits push. A few months ago, they finished in second place, only missing Chelsea, in the difference, and did not win the title since 2016. years. But it could be their year without European football to be in balances.

In contrast, Manchester United It seems that the extension and depth of the squad is a problem, and so far, only two new signatures are added and Links to Jess Park MAN City is recently on the surface. Their run to the third round of UVCL qualifications (where they face So that Over two legs later this month for a place in the league phase) it is impressive, but competitive competes with the elite of the continent looks like a high order.

In addition, the negativity about the poor performance of the male team and current issues with ownership under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has generated titles made by his treatment of a women’s sidedistract the plans of Marc Skinner before the season began.

VSL no longer offers simple fixtures; The days went when the top clubs could both coasts from lower ranked sides and leagues are more competitive and more balanced than ever. The city seems ready for that challenge, but the united risk glides further than the title of titles in the middle of the table, especially if the campaign requirements in the Champions League were added.

What can we expect from a newly promotioned London city?

The London city is not here to settle in the middle place, whose goal is much more. With a dedicated provision and ambitious transmission strategy that saw 14 players known this summer, they became the first newly promoted party to seriously strengthen with the best international talents such as Katie zelem, Jana Fernandez, Danielle Van de Donk, Nikita Parris, Alanna Kennedi and Line.

Far from candidates for dropping, they could actually surprise many who expect to stay at the bottom. What separates them is something we have not seen before from the promoted team: True competitiveness in the market. Financial, they do business at another level compared to recent arrivals like Crystal palace and Bristol CityAnd that investment does it unlikely to be stuck in waste dropping.

He supported Kang’s money, reinforced with upgraded training benefits, and supported by superior coaching staff, Lanase already looked at one of the stronger sides on paper. Their baptism in VSL will be difficult, with the opening of the game away in Arsenal before hosting Manchester UnitedBut if they can move through those challenges, they have the potential to disrupt the established account.

Which team could surprise this season?

Aston Villa and Everton See more sharper this season. Both clubs inserted wisely, bringing key signatures and benefits from improved budgets. Surrently, in the last few years, they escaped from the middle to the lower package, it could finally be a campaign in which they break through and push into the upper level. The villa added some big names like Linn Wilms, Jill Baijings and Ellie RoebuckWhile Everton went for young, hungry and versatile talent like Martina Fernandez, RION Ishikava and Ornella Vignola.

Brighton also strengthened smart, ensuring Arsenal Duo Michelle Agiemang and Rosa Cafe on loan while you add Nigeria goalkeeper Companan Safe and Japan defender Take. They lost some depth, which could later represent problems later in the campaign, but a strong start could put them on the upper half.

West Ham United They also made some impressive additions and though it would probably not end much more than the ninth place that managed to pull some impressive victories against the opponent and held Chelseae (2-2) and MAN citi (1-1).

Which young (U21) players do you think it will shine?

With MAN United Grace ClintonMan Mary Fowlerand chelsea is Aggie Beever-Jones Now outside the “young player” of the status, the space opened for the next talent wave to break through.

After her heroic campaign Euro 2025 EnglandAgiemang will be one to watch. The 19th anniversary returned to Brighton after a sensational flight in which two goals that save games helped England to provide another European crown. Arsenal faced a difficult decision: Keep her internal minute with limited minutes or send her back to credit for regular football. They chose this last and move in Brighton, where it was impressed last season, it looks perfect: a larger role, greater responsibility and platform to burn VSL.

Lexi Potter He returns to Chelsea after her loan with the crystal palace and is very rated by champions. Under the Bompastor, a former Academy manager with a proven record of talent development, Potter will have the freedom to prove. Meanwhile, Veele Buurman19, is already the center of the first choice The Netherlands and is now set for your first senior season in Chelsea after last year’s loan on PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal Winger Smith just turned 21, but it should be noted as she broke the woman’s transfer record to Become the first signing of a million pounds This summer. The Canada The international arrives Liverpool With huge expectations, but the challenge for the Renee Sleech manager will incorporate it in the attack that he already lied to Kelly, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo. The chargers did not spend so much to leave it as an option from the bench, so Smith will surely get a lot of chances to shine this season.

With a new playoffs system, there is no flat relegation. But which teams will be in the mixture to go down?

It is very different this season to receive a VSL that has expanded to 14 teams for 2026-27 – two teams will definitely be promoted from VSL 2 this season. As for relegation, only 12. The place in VSL is in danger of descending – but they will have the opportunity to stay up by challenging playoff against the third set VSL 2 team. And that could be quite open for which the team is.

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It is often difficult to separate foreign medium tables, but there are real concern for Liverpool. Key departures, including Smitha and Last, Leaves great gaps that remain unfulfilled. The arrival of the former Manager of the City Manager Gareth Taylor offers experience, but only two seasons of their impressive top end, fears of battle for relegation are not unfounded due to their limited depth of detachment.

Leicester City find yourself in a riot. The club separated ways with the Manager of Amandine Mikuel only 11 days before the new season, despite the fact that it delivered to the club-record points (20) last year in the face of permanent injuries. Solid traffic from detachment only deepened: Seven outgoing jobs made up for only three arrival, leaving a group of threads of 20 players. Many could be forced into roles that do not suit them, raising their ability to compete.

Tottenham Hotspur They also remain in danger. After a meal of a campaign, which almost ended up in the falling, they rejected the manager of Robert Vilahamn and brought former Manchester United Assistant Martin Ho. Arrival Toko who has helped but Rosella Aiana, Hailey Raso and Rebecca Spencer Everyone left. Skyd still feels like a PatchWork project and one that could be dragged into another difficult battle at the bottom.

Give us your prediction of the final table:

1. Chelsea
2 Manchester City
3. Arsenal
4. London City Lioneses
5. Manchester United
6 Brighton
7. Aston Villa
8. Everton
9. West Ham
10. Spurs
11. Liverpool
12. Leicester City