Khadija Shaw Leads WSL Player of the Season Shortlist: The Unstoppable Force Behind City’s Title Triumph

In a season defined by record-breaking brilliance and narrative-shifting drama, Manchester City striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has been officially named on the eight-strong shortlist for the 2025-26 Women’s Super League Player of the Season award. The 29-year-old Jamaican international, already a lock for a third consecutive WSL Golden Boot, headlines a field that includes teammate Kerstin Casparij, Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson, and Arsenal forward Alessia Russo.

Shaw’s inclusion is not merely a formality—it is a coronation. With 19 goals in 21 appearances this campaign, she has been the linchpin of a City side that finally ended an eight-year league title drought, lifting the WSL trophy for the first time since 2016. Her 81 goals in five seasons with the club underline a legacy that now sits firmly among the pantheon of WSL greats. But as the awards ceremony approaches, the question is not whether Shaw will win—but whether any other candidate can even mount a credible challenge.

Why Khadija Shaw is the Undisputed Frontrunner

To understand Shaw’s dominance, one must look beyond the raw numbers. Her 19 league goals this season came in just 21 appearances—a strike rate of 0.9 goals per game—but the context elevates her further. She scored crucial winners against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, often dragging City through moments of tactical adversity. Her movement off the ball, her ability to hold up play against physical center-backs, and her clinical finishing from both feet have made her the most complete striker in the league.

Earlier this month, Shaw was awarded the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year award, a testament to her impact being recognized by the game’s sharpest observers. That honor, combined with her imminent third Golden Boot, creates an almost irresistible narrative for the Player of the Season panel. The last player to win three consecutive Golden Boots was Vivianne Miedema in her prime—and Shaw has now matched that feat while also delivering the silverware that had eluded City for nearly a decade.

Key stats that define Shaw’s 2025-26 season:

• 19 goals in 21 WSL appearances (league-leading)
• 5 assists, creating 24 total goal involvements
• 8 match-winning goals (most in the league)
• Won the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year award (May 2026)
• Led City to their first WSL title since 2016

Her consistency is staggering. Since joining City in 2021, Shaw has never scored fewer than 15 league goals in a full season. She has evolved from a raw, athletic talent into a cerebral forward who reads defensive patterns two or three passes ahead. Her hold-up play and link-up with midfield runners have been particularly devastating this season, allowing City to transition from possession-based control to devastating counter-attacks in seconds.

The Contenders: Who Could Challenge Shaw?

While Shaw is the overwhelming favorite, the shortlist features several players who have enjoyed exceptional campaigns. Let’s break down the most credible threats.

Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City) – The Dutch defender has been a revelation, contributing 10 goal involvements from the backline. Her overlapping runs and pinpoint crosses have added a new dimension to City’s attack. However, defenders rarely win WSL Player of the Season—only one has done so in the last decade (Lucy Bronze in 2019). Casparij’s case is strong, but she is competing against a teammate who has been the league’s most decisive offensive force.

Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa) – The Scotland international has been the breakout star of the season, scoring 12 goals with one match remaining. She is the second-highest scorer in the league and has carried Villa’s attack almost single-handedly. Hanson’s pace, direct running, and ability to score from wide positions make her a unique threat. If any player can claim to have had a season as individually brilliant as Shaw’s, it’s Hanson—but her team finished mid-table, which historically hurts award chances.

Alessia Russo (Arsenal) – The England star has had a quietly excellent season, scoring 11 goals and providing 7 assists for an Arsenal side that challenged for the title until the final weeks. Russo’s all-around game—her pressing, link-up, and aerial ability—makes her the most complete forward in the league after Shaw. However, Arsenal’s failure to win silverware (they finished second in the league and lost the FA Cup final) weakens her case compared to Shaw’s trophy-laden campaign.

Other notable shortlistees:

• Lauren James (Chelsea) – 9 goals, 6 assists; brilliant but injury-hit
• Guro Reiten (Chelsea) – 8 goals, 10 assists; creative heartbeat of Chelsea’s midfield
• Katie McCabe (Arsenal) – 3 goals, 8 assists; defensive versatility and leadership
• Megan Finnigan (Everton) – 4 goals, 2 clean sheets; defensive stalwart for an overachieving Everton

None of these players, however, can match Shaw’s combination of individual brilliance, team success, and historical significance. The WSL has not seen a forward dominate both the scoring charts and the title race simultaneously since Miedema’s 2020-21 season. Shaw has done it with less fanfare but greater efficiency.

Expert Analysis: What Makes Shaw’s Season Historic

To fully appreciate Shaw’s achievement, we must place it in the context of modern WSL history. Since the league’s rebranding in 2018, only three players have scored 19 or more goals in a season: Miedema (22 in 2019-20), Sam Kerr (21 in 2021-22), and now Shaw. But Kerr’s 21-goal season came in a Chelsea side that won the title by 10 points. Shaw’s City won the title by just 2 points, meaning every one of her 19 goals carried immense weight.

Consider the pressure moments Shaw faced:

• Scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Chelsea in February
• Netted a brace in a 3-2 comeback victory against Arsenal in March
• Scored the equalizer in the 89th minute against Manchester United in April
• Converted a penalty in the title-deciding 2-1 win over Aston Villa on the final day

Her ability to rise in big moments is what separates her from other elite strikers. While Russo and Hanson have scored consistently, Shaw has been the definition of a clutch performer. This is a player who thrives when the stakes are highest—a trait that defines true legends of the game.

From a tactical perspective, Shaw has also adapted her game under manager Gareth Taylor. Early in the season, City struggled to break down low-block defenses, but Shaw began dropping deeper to receive the ball, drawing defenders out of position and creating space for wingers Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp. Her intelligence in creating space for others has been a underrated aspect of her game. She is no longer just a poacher; she is a system player who makes everyone around her better.

Predictions: Who Wins and What It Means

Barring a complete shock, Khadija Shaw will win the 2025-26 WSL Player of the Season award. The evidence is overwhelming: she leads the league in goals, won the Golden Boot, led her team to the title, and already has the FWA award in her pocket. The only scenario where she loses is if the voting panel decides to spread the wealth—but that rarely happens in a season as dominant as this.

If Shaw wins, she would become the first player in WSL history to win both the Golden Boot and Player of the Season in three consecutive campaigns. That is a record that would place her alongside the all-time greats of women’s football—Marta, Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach—in terms of sustained excellence.

For the league, Shaw’s dominance is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it showcases the WSL’s ability to attract and develop world-class talent. On the other, it raises questions about competitive balance. City have now won two of the last three titles, and Shaw’s presence makes them heavy favorites for 2026-27. The league needs other teams to find answers—whether through tactical innovation, transfer market moves, or the emergence of young stars like Hanson or Manchester United’s Grace Clinton.

My final prediction: Shaw wins the Player of the Season award with over 70% of the vote. Kirsty Hanson finishes second, and Kerstin Casparij takes third. The ceremony, scheduled for June 12, will be a celebration of Shaw’s historic season—but also a reminder that the WSL has found its new superstar.

Conclusion: A Legacy Cemented in Gold

Khadija Shaw’s 2025-26 season will be remembered as one of the finest individual campaigns in WSL history. She did not just score goals; she scored the goals that mattered, in the moments that defined a championship run. Her 81 goals in five seasons for Manchester City already make her the club’s all-time leading scorer, and at 29, she still has at least three or four elite years ahead of her.

The Player of the Season shortlist is strong—Casparij, Hanson, and Russo all deserve recognition—but this is Shaw’s award to lose. She has been the best player in the league, on the best team, delivering the most decisive performances. In a sport that often prioritizes collective achievement, Shaw’s individual brilliance has been the story of the season.

When the votes are counted and the trophy is handed over, one name will echo through the halls of the WSL Awards: Khadija “Bunny” Shaw. And she will have earned every single vote.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.