In the space of a few short years, the Barclays Women's Super League has gone from a promising domestic competition to one of the most watched women's football leagues in England and Europe. The reason for this? Week in and week out, some of the best players on the planet are stepping onto English pitches, all while pulling in major crowds and breaking record books.
This article takes a magnifying glass to those top players, examining their performances, earnings and overall influence both on and off the pitch. So settle down, grab yourself a cup of tea (or whatever fuels your football fix) and get to know the athletes who are making the Women's Super League what it is today.
| Player | Club | Position | 2024 - 25 stats | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khadija “Bunny” Shaw | Manchester City | Forward | 12 goals in 14 matches | Goal per game striker & vocal leader |
| Alessia Russo | Arsenal | Forward | 12 goals in 21 matches | Co Golden Boot; record breaking hattricks |
| Elisabeth Terland | Manchester United | Forward | Approx 10 goals (shared 3rd top scorer) | Consistent finishing and movement off the ball |
| Vivianne Miedema | Manchester City | Forward/midfield | Creative role, deeper position | Experience & tempo contro |
| Lauren Hemp | Manchester City | Winger | 8 assists (most in WSL) | playmaking speed and chance creation |
| Guro Reiten | Chelsea | Midfielder/winger | Around 8 goals & ~5 assists | Technical crossing, tight-space creativity, goal involvement Wikipedia |
| Mayra Ramírez | Chelsea | Forward | 4 goals, 3 assists in 17 apps | Fast break threat, adapted quickly as key contributor |
| Mariona Caldentey | Arsenal | Midfielder | 9 goals, part of top scorers | Versatility and Player of the Season |
Who Are the Top Players in the Women's Super League Today?
The 2024 - 25 season has highlighted a strong cast of WSL players who are consistently delivering in big moments, whether that be with moves in the box, clutch assists, or sheer presence on the pitch. In the section below, we'll outline players who are delivering the most consistent performances on the pitch and who stand out amongst the lineup.
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw (Manchester City)
Shaw has been a revelation again this season, scoring 12 goals in 14 matches - averaging a goal per game and sharing the golden boot with Russo. Internationally, her courage in handling personal abuse off the pitch has garnered massive support from the club and the league.
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Every fan of women's football has heard of the name Alessia Russo. Firmly stepping into the spotlight in recent years, she netted 12 goals in 21 games to share the golden boot with Shaw. In terms of playing style, she's known for her power behind the ball, movement, and aerial strength
Elisabeth Terland
In her first season with Manchester United, Terland quickly established herself as one of the league's most consistent finishers. What's more, her movement off the ball and composure in front of goal have made her one of the most effective signings of the season
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)
While Vivianne Miedema may no longer be hitting the same incredible scoring heights she did in the past, her influence hasn't faded. After joining Manchester City in 2024, she's settled into a deeper and more creative role - linking midfield to attack and dictating tempo in close games.
Lauren Hemp
At the tender age of 24, Hemp has become a vital spark in the City's attack. While she did miss a large chunk of the season due to a knee injury, she still led the WSL in assists, with eight in just ten matches.
Guro Reiten (Chelsea)
Reiten has been a steady creative force for Emma Hayes' unbeaten side and is frequently named among the top five overall WSL players. In terms of skills, she's known for her accuracy on the cross and her ability to create space in tight areas.
Mayra Ramirez
A major signing from Chelsea's 2024-25 campaign, Ramirez won the EFE trophy for best Ibero-American player after contributing strongly to Chelsea's unbeaten title run. She also adapted quickly to the pace of the WSL, offering physical presence up front and linking play in/around the box.
Mariona Caldentey
Mariona Caldentey has settled into English football like she's been playing here all her life. After moving from Barca, she's rapidly become a key part of Arsenal's midfield. Finishing the season with nine goals and five assists, she deservedly nabbed the WSL player of the year for 2024 - 25.
Who Are the Highest Paid Women’s Super League Players?
Wondering who the highest-paid WSL stars are? While most players in the women's league still earn rather modestly compared to their male counterparts, the top end of the wage scale is starting to look a lot more competitive as the game becomes ever more popular. In fact, some of the players at the top are now managing to pull in six-figure salaries, especially those playing in massive international tournaments like the Women's Euros.
| Player | Club | Est Salary | Off Pitch Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Kerr | Chelsea | £448,000 | Fifa cover star, global ambassador for nike |
| Fran Kirby | Brighton and Hove | £310,000 | Mental Health Advocate, favorite with the media |
| Lauren James | Chelsea | £300,000+ | Adidas athlete, fast growing global profile |
| Alessia Russo | Arsenal | £300,000 | Endorsed by Adidas |
| Mary Earps | PSG (ex-Man Utd) | £250,000 | Very outspoken on player rights, currently recovering from injury |
| Keira Walsh | Barcelona (ex-City) | £382,000 | La liga star |
| Ella Toone | Manchester United | £70,000 | While popular with fans, she's underpaid for her role |
How Much Do Women's Super League Players Get Paid?
- At the lower end, some WSL players reportedly earn as little as £20,000 per year, particularly at smaller clubs.
- The average salary for a WSL player is estimated at around £47,000 annually, according to BBC analysis.
- Other sources, such as Metro and National World, suggest slightly lower averages—typically £25,000–£27,000, reflecting median levels across teams.
Who Are the Top Goal Scorers in the WSL in Recent Seasons?
If there's one metric that defines a striker's season, it's obviously goals. However, in the Women's Super League, the golden boot isn't always claimed by the same couple of names each year - it's often pretty hard to predict. Below, we'll check out the famous names who have scored the most goals in the past several seasons.
Simply put, the WSL Golden Boot is an award which goes to the player who scores the most goals each season.
2017 - 18
Ellen White (Birmingham City)
White topped the scoring chart with 15 goals, proving that golden boot winners always come from title-winning sides.
2018 - 19
Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)
One of the most dominant campaigns in the history of the WSL. Miedema managed to score a staggering 22 goals in 20 games, leading Arsenal to a title win
2019 - 20
Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)
Despite the season being prematurely cut short due to COVID, Miedema still managed 16 goals in 14 matches.
2020 - 21
Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
In her first full season, Kerr hit 21 goals in 22 appearances.
2021 - 22
Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
Kerr again defended her title with 20 goals this season, including a dramatic brace on the final day that secured Chelsea's third consecutive title.
2022 - 23
Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)
Daly stunned the league with 22 goals in 22 matches - becoming the first player from outside the big four to win the Golden Boot.
2023 - 24
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw
Shaw delighted fans with 21 goals in 18 games this season, setting a record for the most career WSL hat tricks (six).
2024 - 25
Alessia Russo (Arsenal) & Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)
The latest season ended in a tie, with both Russo and Shaw netting 12 goals each.
Future Stars and Rising Talent in the WSL
Alongside the top players everybody has heard of, this year also saw a variety of younger talents climbing up the ladder to compete alongside their seniors at the highest level. Whether coming through club academies or returning from loan spells, it's likely the majority of these players will have a bright future ahead in tournaments like the Champions League and are definitely worth keeping an eye on.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Players | On the list are players like Khadijah Shaw, Sam Kerr, Vivianne Miedema, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Mary Earps |
| Top earnings in the WSL | Sam Kerr reportedly earns a an impressive £449,000 per season, not including any endorsements |
| Leading recent goal scorers | Shaw scored 21 goals in 18 games (2023 - 24), Daly scored 22 in 2022 - 23, and Miedema scored 22 in 2018 - 19 |
| Highest all time WSL scorer | Miedema holds the record with 78 career WSL goals |
| Emerging talent | Young players like Lauren James, Missy‑Bo Kearns, Grace Clinton, and Olivia Smith are making inroads |
| Why it matters | These players aren’t just scoring goals - they’re helping the league grow and influencing how people see it |
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