WSL Clubs Increasingly Discovering Talent from Asia
The Women’s Super League (WSL) has always attracted stars from all over the world, but recently there has been a surge of players from Asia who are making their mark on the league. The increase in investment in scouting, the global broadcast of women’s football, and the competitive nature of the transfer market have prompted clubs to look beyond their borders for talent. The Asian market, in particular, has become increasingly attractive, with several January signings adding to the quality of the WSL.
Ji So-yun from South Korea was one of the first Asian players to make her mark in the WSL, winning six league titles with Chelsea. She paved the way for other Asian players to join the league, including Japan’s Yui Hasegawa, who currently plays for Manchester City. Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor believes that there will be more Japanese players in the league in the future, citing their discipline, coachability, intensity, and game understanding as reasons for their success.
The recent influx of Asian players in the WSL has garnered attention. Liverpool’s Fuka Nagano, Tottenham’s Shuang Wang, West Ham’s Riko Ueki, and Leicester City’s Saori Takarada and Yuka Momiki are among the notable signings. Hinata Miyazawa’s move to Manchester United after winning the Golden Boot with Japan at the Women’s World Cup was also highly anticipated. However, it is Nagano who has quickly become a fan favorite at Liverpool due to her impressive performances on the pitch and her endearing personality.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard praises Nagano’s ability to read the game and attributes her success to Japan’s tactical style of play. Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, who signed Ji a decade ago, believes that bringing diversity into the league poses different challenges for her players but is ultimately beneficial. West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner acknowledges the value that Asian players bring to the team and credits the increased accessibility for them to come to the UK for the rise in the number of Japanese players in the league.
The availability of television footage and the presence of specialist analysts have played a significant role in discovering Asian talent. Leicester boss Willie Kirk stumbled upon Momiki while scouting her Japanese teammate Takarada. The increased resources for scouting and analysis have allowed clubs to identify players more effectively, despite ongoing restrictions on international visas in the WSL. Furthermore, improved salaries have made a move to England more appealing for players, leading to an injection of Asian talent in the league.
With the success of recent Asian arrivals in the WSL, this trend is likely to continue. The league’s commitment to scouting, broadcasting, and competitive transfer market practices has opened new doors for talent from Asia. As more players from Asia make their mark in the WSL, it not only adds diversity but also raises the level of competition, making the league even more exciting and dynamic.