With Champions League now guaranteed for the time since 2013/14, it is time to look at potential reinforcements and the positions they might be needed.
The club will be involved in four competitions next season and players will also come back tired from the World Cup so squad rotation will be needed.
1Goalkeepers
Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Sari Van Veenendaal
It will be interesting to see if the Dutch keeper will be happy to play second fiddle for another season, as she has become the second choice behind the Frenchwoman.
It looks like it has cost her the starting place with the National team as well so we can wonder if she will want to stay.
2Right-back
Lisa Evans
Lisa Evans is obviously the first choice and her cover, Jessica Samuelsson, has gone back to Sweden.
Tabea Kemme could be her cover/compete for the place next season as she can play on both sides of the defence as well as in attack.
3Left-back
Emma Mitchell, Katrine Veje, Tabea Kemme
Due to injuries, Katie McCabe played in that position during the season but with three players vying for one place, there is no real need for recruitment here.
4Centre-backs
during the FA Women’s Super league football match between Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women at Meadow Park on January 13th in Borehamwood, England. (DP)
Leah Williamson, Louise Quinn, Janni Arnth
Would a fourth centre-back be needed? Yes, if the club wants to double up in every position to avoid the injury problems witnessed this season.
Alternatively, getting an Academy player to grow and be that fourth player would make sense.
5Defensive midfielders
Lia Walti, Victoria Schnaderbeck
We still don’t know about our Austrian midfielder/defender.
As a back-up to Wälti, she is valuable. Bloodworth can also play in that position if needed.
It would be nice for Vicki get a full season with the club to see how good she is.
6Central midfielders
Jordan Nobbs, Dominique Bloodworth
Jordan is obviously the first choice there and once she is back from her ACL, she will go straight into the starting 11.
7Attacking midfielders
Kim Little, Danielle Van De Donk
Kim is first choice while Danielle has been superb this season.
It will be interesting to see next season where Joe can fit Danielle, Kim and Jordan alongside Lia.
8Wingers
Beth Mead, Katie McCabe, Danielle Carter
All three wingers should rotate next season with Veje also able to play on the wing.
9Centre forward
Anna Miedema
Interestingly there was no real back-up this season for Miedema this season. Mead and Carter still played as wingers while she was off the pitch and the team played with a false 9 like McCabe at times.
To be fair, who would like to be the understudy of a goalscoring machine who is guaranteed to start every game when she is fit?
10Verdict
So, adding a new player per line would make sense: one goalie, should Sari decide to leave, one defender to add depth to the squad, one defensive midfielder and one versatile forward to add more competition for the front four.
The alternative would be giving playing time to our Academy players who have done really well this season, integrating them fully to the first team.
You would not expect the team to suffer as many injuries as this season. Therefore, having one extra player to make a 20-player-squad plus four or five youngsters would make sense.