bunny shaw on man city’s title ambitions in the wsl

bunny shaw’s remarkable scoring record despite setbacks

Khadija Bunny Shaw is a striker whose talent defies the odds. Even after missing half the previous season with injury, she still clinched the Women’s Super League (WSL) Golden Boot, scoring 12 goals in just 892 minutes. This incredible goal-per-minute ratio of one every 74 minutes outstrips top forwards across Europe’s major leagues, including Spain’s Ewa Pajor and France’s Clara Mateo.

Had she remained fit, Shaw was on course to smash the WSL single-season scoring record of 22 goals, potentially reaching 26 strikes. Her instinctive finishing and sharp positioning inside the box make her a constant threat to any defence.

man city’s challenges and season reflection

Despite Shaw’s individual brilliance, Manchester City’s 2024-25 campaign was inconsistent. The team struggled with injuries to key players such as Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp, severely affecting squad depth. By March, the club barely had a fully fit senior XI available.

Manager Gareth Taylor faced mounting pressure and was relieved of his duties shortly before the League Cup final against Chelsea, which City lost. For a club of City’s stature, silverware is not optional but expected. The period of stagnation demanded change as the team sought to rekindle its winning mentality.

a new era with andre jeglertz

Summer changes saw the arrival of Andree Jeglertz, a progressive coach known for favouring a more direct and attacking style of play. This marks a shift from Taylor’s patient possession-based approach, aiming to capitalise on quick, incisive moves that lead to goals in fewer passes.

Shaw describes Jeglertz’s philosophy as liberating for attacking players, offering freedom to express themselves provided they adhere to tactical discipline. The new approach promises to make City’s offensive play more dynamic and unpredictable.

shifting from possession to attacking efficiency

Historically, City have played a textbook style featuring a high percentage of short passes and minimal long balls. Last season, they completed 93.6% short passes, the highest in the league, while utilising crosses effectively to create chances.

Shaw highlights the synergy with teammates like Lauren Hemp, whose precise crossing contributed to the league-high 15 cross-assisted goals. These details, including timing of runs and pressing intensity, often go unnoticed but are vital to City’s attacking threat.

ambitions for the 2025-26 season

With a youthful squad averaging just over 25 years, City finished fourth last season, 17 points behind champions Chelsea. Shaw stresses that such a gap is unacceptable going forward. The focus is on consistency, learning from mistakes, and maintaining high energy levels throughout the campaign.

Without the distraction of European fixtures, City can fully concentrate on domestic success. Shaw’s message is clear: “It’s strictly business this season.” The team is prepared for tough conversations and challenges to ensure they cross the finish line as champions.

predicted title race and realistic goals

According to Opta’s data predictions, Manchester City are poised to improve on last season’s performance, potentially finishing ahead of Arsenal but still chasing Chelsea’s dominance. Shaw remains confident, emphasising that with attention to detail and tactical evolution, City can be unstoppable.

why man city’s evolution matters for the wsl

Manchester City’s renewed commitment to attacking football and squad development injects excitement into the WSL title race. Shaw’s continued excellence up front, combined with Jeglertz’s tactical ideas, could challenge the status quo dominated by Chelsea and Arsenal.

This evolution also reflects the broader growth and professionalisation of women’s football in England, where clubs are increasingly investing in coaching, sports science, and player welfare to elevate standards.

conclusion: man city’s path to wsl glory

Bunny Shaw’s candid reflections reveal a City side that has learned from past setbacks and is now better equipped to compete at the highest level. The blend of youthful energy, tactical refreshment, and individual brilliance positions Manchester City as genuine contenders to lift the WSL trophy this season.

Fans can witness this new chapter unfold from the opening weekend clash against Chelsea, streamed live on Sky Sports Football. For those wanting comprehensive coverage of the league’s best moments, upgrading to Sky Sports or streaming via NOW ensures you won’t miss a kick.