Some England stars have changed clubs, some are trying to earn a recall from Sarina Wiegman's squad and others are out to force their way into her XI
Less than six weeks after England's incredible triumph at Euro 2025, the majority of Sarina Wiegman's victorious squad will be back in action for the first time since that dramatic win over Spain this weekend, as the 2025-26 edition of the Women's Super League gets underway.
There hasn't been too much transfer activity when it comes to the 23 Lionesses who reigned supreme in Switzerland, though Grace Clinton and Jess Park have been part of one of the most stunning deals of the summer, that which sent Clinton from Manchester United to Manchester City on deadline day, with Park going the opposite way. Many of those on the fringes of Wiegman's squad have been on the move, though, and there have been other transfers that could impact some of England's biggest stars.
It all means there are plenty of Lionesses who have particularly interesting stories to follow in the 2025-26 WSL season. Here, GOAL picks out 10 narratives to follow over the next nine months…
Getty ImagesClinton arrives at City
It’s hard not to start with the stunning deal between the two Manchester clubs which took place on WSL deadline day, sending Grace Clinton from United to City. The 22-year-old was an interesting figure coming into this season already, given her contract was set to expire on the red side of Manchester at the end of the campaign. The situation is very different now, though, after she penned a contract until 2029 with City on Thursday.
Last year was Clinton’s first in the United first team, following loan spells with Bristol City and Tottenham. In the first half of the season, with Ella Toone having a significant spell on the sidelines due to injury, she was particularly impressive, excelling in the No.10 role and scoring decisive goals. When Toone returned in the New Year, though, head coach Marc Skinner sometimes struggled to fit both into his XI in an effective manner.
Now, Clinton heads to Man City and the question of where she fits into a line-up will be answered by Andree Jeglertz, who was appointed by the Cityzens earlier this summer. It’s clear the new boss has a plan for her or the club would not have completed such a deal. Given Vivianne Miedema has settled into that No.10 role, it may be as a box-to-box midfielder that Clinton is instead utilised. If so, that could have interesting implications at England level, where Georgia Stanway has a stronghold on the No.8 shirt.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesPark's United gamble
There is similar intrigue surrounding Park’s move to United. Given Toone is a constant in the No.10 role, it could be as a winger that Park instead gets her opportunities across Manchester. That would make sense given Skinner’s comments last week that he was keen to add to his forward line before the end of the transfer window.
A versatile player who can play a variety of roles in midfield and the front three, there’s little doubt about Park’s ability to make her mark in red. Like Clinton, though, it could have implications on her England chances, suddenly making her a challenger for a wide role rather than a central one.
How could that impact her development as a player, too? Park is still only 23 years old, after all. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this transfer could shape her moving forward.
GettyBronze's new battle
It's going to be very interesting to see what the 2025-26 season might look like for Lucy Bronze, following Chelsea's decision to sign a world-class right-back in Ellie Carpenter.
Few would anticipate that transfer relegating Bronze to a bench role. After all, she was one of the first signings Sonia Bompastor made ahead of her first campaign in charge of the Blues, having worked with the experienced England star at Lyon. Bompastor values all that Bronze brings to the table and immensely so, meaning it's hard to see her assuming a reduced role. Equally, though, Carpenter would surely be a regular starter in this team, given her qualities.
Might a change in shape beckon for Chelsea? The Blues lined up in a 3-4-3 shape for the final two games of the 2024-25 season, something which would accommodate both Carpenter and Bronze. Both can play at wing-back or as wide centre-backs. Regardless, it's going to be fascinating to see how the former's arrival impacts the Lionesses star once she gets back from an injury that will rule her out of the first few weeks of the campaign.
GettyKelly's rise continues
It's incredible to think that, for all her iconic moments in an England shirt, Chloe Kelly remains a regular substitute for her country, rather than being a starter. Could that change over the course of the upcoming season?
After joining Arsenal on loan for the latter half of last term, Kelly quickly muscled into the Gunners XI, often at the expense of England team-mate Beth Mead, and she was good value for that place too, providing goals and assists aplenty after settling so quickly.
If she can keep that up in the new season, having signed for Arsenal on a permanent basis earlier this summer, it could well lead to a greater role with England.