The Foxes bolster squad depth with leadership and attacking prowess

Leicester City FC Women are currently in 9th place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table with only nine points on the table, as the second half of the 2025/26 season is underway.

With five new faces joining the Foxes already this January, it is clear the club are ambitious to invest in the women’s side and push up the table.

Already this season, there is evidence of a lack of squad depth, alongside gaps within passages of play along the flanks and something missing in the final third. However, these new signings could be the resolution to Rick Passmoor’s problems as head coach.

Bolstering attacking threat                                                    

Leicester announced the permanent signings of three promising forwards: Emma Jansson, Rachel Williams and Alisha Lehmann.

Jansson is the Foxes first signing of 2026, joining from Swedish side, FC Rosengård. Having spent five seasons of her senior career in the Damallsvenskan (with KIF Örebro, Hammarby IF and Rosengård), she takes the next  step in her career with a move to the WSL. Her footballing intelligence and clinical edge in one v one situations attracted attention from Leicester, bringing in the Swedish forward to improve their strength in attack.   

Another forward brought into the setup at Leicester is Williams. Formerly playing for the Foxes, she brings a wealth of experience to the squad. Following a long spell with Manchester United, Williams brings extensive knowledge of the league, a winning mentality, and even UEFA Women’s Champions League experience, which could prove vital in the Foxes’ fight away from the bottom half of the table.

As for the Swiss international, Lehmann also brings experience on an international level having spent over one year in the Serie A Femminile: with both Juventus (July 2024-August 2025) and FC Como (August 2025-January 2026). Following only a five-month spell with Como, she returns to the WSL where she started her senior career. Another signing who strengthens the Foxes’ forward line and aims to enhance their ability to take the lead.   

Leadership and ambition 

Defensively, the Foxes attracted two renown fullbacks this January: Sarah Mayling and Ashleigh Neville. Shortly after the announcement of these newcomers, new leadership roles were also delegated.  

Mayling joins Leicester with the aim to resolve their previous difficulties in threading passes down the flanks, and to better support attacking passages of play. On loan from Aston Villa, Mayling looks to add more minutes to her repertoire and prove herself worthy as a regular starter in this Leicester side.

Another signing which came as a surprise to many was the permanent move for Tottenham Hotspur’s longest-serving player, Neville. The fullback is regarded as one of the most consistent and experienced in the WSL, having developed significantly throughout her years in Lilywhite. Despite having played only two fixtures in a Leicester shirt (both against her former club), Neville has been promoted as the vice-Captain for the remainder of the season. There is no question over her ability and determination to success, which could prove pivotal in both Passmoor’s defensive and attacking ambitions for the remainder of the season.  

The Foxes have a new Captain in Scottish international, Sam Tierney. Having spent years with the club, she takes on this new leadership role and cements her place in the midfield. As a hard-working and consistent performer, Tierney is rewarded with the armband and is ambitious for more with the club as they continue their battle up the table.

Climbing the table

With twelve fixtures played, and ten to go in the WSL this season, it is all or nothing for the Foxes. Only five points from 12th place (currently occupied by Liverpool), Passmoor’s squad will fight for every point to assert their ability in the top-flight.

Having brought in five promising and experienced new signings, alongside a shift in leadership roles, it is now whether they are able to slot into the starting lineup and influence the team’s success that is telling. Especially those, such as Lehmann and Jansson, bringing experience from the footballing setup abroad, only time will tell whether they are able to fit in with the fast-paced demands of the WSL and intense fixture schedule.  

This weekend, the Foxes host West Ham United at the King Power. This fixture is vital to prove they are capable of executing dominant and high tempo performances with those fighting to stay in the league. The Hammers are only one point from bottom, which means Leicester must oversee a comfortable victory to edge nearer to the top half of the table and separate themselves from fears of relegation.