London City Lionesses: WSL Preview

The Underdogs of the season are coming in hot, determined to make their mark.

 London City Lionesses have been the talk of the summer. Promoted from the second tier of the Barclays Women’s Super League, formerly known as the Barclays Women’s Championship, decisions made by the club during preseason caused all eyes to be focused on them.

 Michele Kang, owner of the club is not messing around when it comes to the transfer market. Throughout the summer, the club have secured a variety of new signings: from older, more skilled and experienced players to young, talented players with lots of potential.

 But where it takes more than gifted and experienced players to make an outstanding team, especially in a highly competitive league like the WSL, will they have what it takes to make their desired impact in their league?

Their history

It would seem the club’s legacy has been preparing them for such a big moment. London City Lionesses are the first independent women's football team to exist. In other words, they have no male equivalent to their team.

They were born out of the Millwall Lionesses in 2019. Due to the raised concern of the lack of success of the team as part of the Millwall brand, they became unaffiliated from the male side of the club. Despite being key pioneers in the development of the women’s game, they were only judged upon their success.

Becoming independent allowed for the women’s team to gain more investment and financial opportunity as well more control and autonomy over the game itself. This prevented the team from being overlooked in an environment where the men’s team was the main focus of investment. Previously, the women’s team were being neglected as the second priority to the men’s team.

In December 2023, the club was sold to Kang, the owner of the National Women’s Soccer League team, Washington Spirit, as well as other footballing giants. Little did the club know that this change in ownership would bring great opportunities to create a legacy as the only independent women's club.

Significant preparation = successful season

In her first season with the club, Kang made an impression with the decision to sign the talented Swedish captain, Kosovare Asllani, to the club. She proved herself to be a very valuable asset, with the most assists of the 2024/25 season to her name, as well as bringing the club more attention due to her extremely reputable career. She was formerly a player for Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Asllani is not fazed by demanding and intense environments; she thrives under pressure. It will be interesting to see how she continues to perform this season, especially with the range of attacking positions she can occupy as a player. Her versatility as a means that no matter how many substitutes are made, she should remain on the field. 

Another worthy investment made was assigning the former coach of Paris Saint-Germain, Jocelyn Prêcheur, as head coach of the club. He helped his former club win the top French tournament, the Coupe de France. Now, London City are competing in the top-flight of English football with Prêcheur at the helm.  

However, these investments stem beyond player and staff recruitment. The club moved from this initial home stadium, Princes Park in Dartford, to Hayes Lane in Bromley. London City occupy their own modern and high-tech training ground, as well as place to call their matchday home. Regarding these additions, Kang states:

‘This club proves that with the right investment, anything is possible.’

Promotion to the WSL

London City Lionesses had a successful last season where they finished first in the Women’s Championship. With forty-three points in the league table, it was soon game over for their rivals. 

However, the fight for promotion went down to the wire. For the final game of the season, Birmingham City faced the Pride. It ended in a draw but with London City having the highest number of points of the season, they won and were promoted to the first tier of the WSL. This was the start of their journey to the top.

 A notable mention should go to Isobel Goodwin, their top goal scorer of the season. The young striker scored sixteen goals last season and contributed significantly to their promotion dream. This rightfully earned her the title ‘Women’s Championship Player of the Season’ for the 24/25 season.

 Whiplash from world-class transfers

 If there’s one thing that Kang knows how to do it’s put her money where her mouth is…literally. The ambition of the club supports their mission to prove that an independent women’s club can be successful. With this hunger comes reality. The club are aware that a place in the top four is certainly a statement finish, aiming to fulfil this and make their mark in the league.

Entering the WSL is just stage one of the club’s overall mission. Stage two ia acquiring more players to keep up with the competitive and talented WSL squads. If there is one thing that the summer transfer window shows us about the Pride, it is that they mean business.

 Fans of women’s football watched them welcome top class, experienced players such as Nikita Parris, Danielle van de Donk, Grace Geyoro and Elena Linari. But this list does not stop there: young talents such as Teyah Goldie, Freya Godfrey, Jana Fernandez and Wassa Sangare are also integral to the vision. It is clear that Michele and her team have developed a strategy to support their aspirations, and these players are key to achieving that vision. This is virtually a completely different team from the one that promoted them to the WSL.

 Winning the Women’s Championship was an achievement but this club is ready to be remembered for something more, something bigger. The wealth of experience and talent in this ‘new wave’ of a team is a reflection of that. There is a hunger and desire to prove they can produce results similar to those of clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal, who have a richer history in the women’s game. It is not just about good football; it is about legacy and longevity.

London City want to get to the top to stay there. Viewers are meant to be rattled by their presence in the WSL because with a squad like this, they could really shake up the table ranking from the way we know it.

The major question

 At first glance, this team seems threatening, but it takes so much more than great players to make a good team. Chemistry is key. Over ten players joined the club within the past month. Bonds need to be created within the team, both on and off the pitch, so they can find their rhythm that allows them to shine individually and as a collective.  

Arguably with the variety of players, they will likely find their power and execute the game to the best of their ability. However, with teams on the table such as ‘the big three’: Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, who are known for dominating the league repeatedly, could the time spent building their chemistry as a team cost them a spot at the league?

This season is unpredictable because of the level of perseverance, ambition and determination coming from this club. Until the season starts the unknowns remain. First, London City face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Prêcheur’s side have a challenging opener on their hands, but this does not show in their mentality. No matter the outcome, they still deserve grace as the newest addition to the league.

Once they find their flow as a team, it will be hard not to watch them. If there is one certain thing about this club, it is that they have their sights set on big things and they are going to do their best to achieve them. London City are on a journey, and only time will tell when they will face bumps in the road.