Shaw ready for WSL challenge
Published:Sunday | September 5, 2021 | 12:06 AM
Ahead of her English FA Women’s Super League (WSL) debut with Manchester City, national striker Khadija Shaw says that she is relishing the opportunity to compete against the world’s best in her new environs.
Shaw is expected to feature in Manchester City’s season opener today against Everton at 7:30 a.m Jamaica time at Goodison Park as they begin their quest to dethrone defending champions, Chelsea. Shaw signed for City in June on a three-year deal after a two-year stint with French club Bordeaux where last season she finished as the league’s leading goalscorer.
In an interview with British newspaper the Telegraph on Thursday, not only did she outline her footballing journey so far but spoke about how she was ready to display her talents as well to test herself among the best.
“I try to keep things as simple as possible,” Shaw said. “I’m very explosive, that’s one of my biggest attributes and I try to exploit that to help the team. The WSL is very competitive, that’s what I want – the real challenge, competing against the best.”
It is that focus as well as her technical attributes why British journalist Tom Garry thinks that she will have an impact signing for the club. In a June 19 article written after the deal, Garry says that her adaptability in the attack will be an asset for a team challenging in multiple competitions this year including the Women’s Champions League where Shaw made her club debut on Tuesday in their 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their second round tie.
“Yet, there is much more to Shaw’s game too, as a forward who is capable of playing on either wing as well as through the middle and that versatility will be invaluable to (head coach Gareth Taylor’s side as they seek to compete on multiple fronts, including a potentially packed fixture schedule with the Champions League new format and the conclusion of the prolonged 2020-21 Women’s FA Cup competition,” Garry said.
Shaw has elected to have her nickname Bunny on the back of her shirt for this season, saying that it has played a role in her football journey up to this point. “I’ve decided to have Bunny because it’s a big connection to who I am. It is part of my childhood and my footballing journey all the way up to where I am now,” Shaw said on the club’s Twitter page yesterday.
Yesterday’s opening day of the season saw Manchester United defeating Reading 2-0 thanks to goals from Kirsty Hanson in the 39th minute and Ona Battle in the 54th minute.
Among the other Reggae Girlz in action today during the opening weekend are goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer of Tottenham Hotspur who open their season at home against Birmingham City at 9 a.m Jamaica time. Additionally, Drew Spence of reigning champions Chelsea will face a difficult start when they play Arsenal in the North London derby tomorrow morning at 6:30 Jamaica time. Spence was called up for the two international friendlies in June but did not make the camp while Spencer made her debut against Nigeria on June 10.