With the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year vote now closed, we are just weeks away from finding out who has been crowned the winner. The list has an abundance of talent and accolades amongst the nominees, with awards such as UEFA’s player of the year, WSL’s all-time leading goal scorer and an Olympic gold medal.
Representing the Women’s Super League is Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema and Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, who have both shone for club and country. Barcelona duo Caroline Graham Hansen and Alexia Putellas take up the next two spots after a quadruple winning season with their club, whilst Paris St- Germain’s Ashley Lawrence completes the list. The PSG defender helped her side end Lyon’s dominance before helping Canada claim the gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. All five nominees have had stand-out seasons but for me, there can only be one winner – Alexia Putellas.
Whilst all five nominees have had outstanding seasons, you cannot look past Putellas after an extraordinary season for her Barcelona side. The team dominated every competition with Putellas playing at the heart of it and ended the season with a quadruple. Putellas’ side stormed the Primera División after winning 33 out of 34 games to claim the league title.
The midfielder also helped to guide her side to the 2020/21 Spanish Cup and Spanish Super Cup trophies whilst scoring her highest ever tally of 26 goals in all competitions. The Spanish international capped off a magnificent season with a goal in the Women’s Champions League final securing a 4-0 win against Chelsea to complete the quadruple.
"I feel very proud. It's a motivation to continue and to keep working hard." - Putellas speaking to BBC Sport
Alongside her team success, Putellas claimed an array of individual accolades and records herself. The skilful midfielder became Barcelona’s first ever player to exceed 10 goals in the Copa de la Reina which later saw her win the MVP of the final and finished the season as the highest scoring midfielder in Europe.
Putellas continued her excellent season by dominating the individual awards, sweeping up the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and Champions League midfielder of the year. As a midfielder, her ability and skill has been vital to the team’s success throughout the season and has become a key figure in the middle of the pitch.
However, Putellas will have a battle on her hands to claim the top prize with four other talented and decorated players also in the race for the honour. Barca teammate Graham Hansen will compete against Putellas, with both players having competed in their quadruple winning season.
The winger shone for both club and country where she secured qualification with Norway for the upcoming Women’s Euros, even netting 10 times during the qualifiers. Graham Hansen’s creativity has proved to be vital for their award-winning side, with a total of 33 goal contributions in 33 games in all competitions. Despite her amazing season, teammate Putellas beat her to the UEFA player of the year, surely putting her in the favoured position for this year’s footballer of the year?
Another competitor for this year’s award is WSL’s all-time goal scorer Miedema. Her goal scoring threat has been crucial for Arsenal, netting 18 goals in 22 games, securing a spot in the 21/22 Champions League campaign. Whilst the Arsenal striker has been lethal in front of goal, team success was limited with only records to her name. The Dutch scorer used the 20/21 season to break the all-time WSL goal scoring tally, contributing 18 to set the new record of 64 goals.
WSL rival, Sam Kerr netted 21 goals in 22 games securing the Golden Boot for the season which saw her Chelsea side win the Women’s Super League. Her lethal connection with England’s Fran Kirby helped to provide Emma Hayes’ side with the Continental Cup, the Community Shield, and a spot in the Champions League final.
Despite this, her side lost out to Putellas’ Barcelona after an unforgettable night for the captain. The Australian international continued her fine form heading into the Olympics where she netted six goals, finishing in fourth place, behind Lawrence’s Canada.
Lawrence played as a full back in defence for her Canadian side and her dominant displays helped to guide them to the gold medal spot at the Olympics. The defender was also vital in her club’s title challenge where they ended Lyon’s reign at the top and finishing the season unbeaten.
Whilst all five nominees have had outstanding seasons, there can only be winner for me. Barcelona’s season was extraordinary with the creativity from Putellas and her statistics from midfield were unmatched.
Her personal accolades reflect this, and she has continued her fine form into the 2021/22 season, already breaking records. The in-form winger broke the clubs record for the fasted ever hat-trick, netting three goals in four minutes; demonstrating class is permanent.
Comments