#003- Transfer Talk - Part I
In this new series, I look at transfers and their potential viability for the teams
It’s that time of the year again, the regular season has come to a close. Winners and losers have been decided, promotions and relegations handed. There have been stories to follow like Paris FC’s brilliant season under Soubeyrand, Roma’s resilience in Serie A, the Race for the top 3 in Frauen Bundesliga, etc.
But now begins the part that gets the most fans talking. The transfer window, where anything and everything seems plausible at one point or another. The rumors fluctuate from sensible to ridiculous on the daily and in WoSo no move ever seems to be done in hush-hush.
There is something so hopeful about dreaming of all the possible ways your team can lineup and improve heading into the new season.
In this series, I will try to look at confirmed transfers and look at their viability in terms of their tactical fit and need in a team’s context. Here we go!
Sara Däbritz (PSG → Lyon)
Age: 27
Position: Center Midfielder
Däbritz is outright quality. She is arguably one of the best players in her position. In 21/22 alone, she directly contributed to 28 goals (17 assists+11 goals) for the Parisian outfit in all competitions. She has been a goal-scoring creative midfielder since her days at Bayern Munich.
While Däbritz’s roots lie in being a major influence in a team’s play in the final third breaking opposition lines, her time at PSG has seen her mold into a well-rounded two-way presence. Her role at PSG demanded more of her in the deeper areas, in and out of possession.
An integral part of the team’s progression phase, Däbritz offers verticality with her passing and positioning. She is consistently looking to gain territory on the opposition with her passing, breaking the lines. She is an excellent ball distributor, capable of spraying passes from medium to long-range. Her ability in dead-ball situations is equally quality, she can curve a ball in from wide areas or corners with her left foot.
Her positioning in the final third allows her to offer support on the wings, facilitating the formation of wide triangles. Her timed late forward movements from midfield into the opposition box are a source of threat as well. Her passing also consistently finds her teammates in a better position either out wide or in-between the lines.
She became a big part of disrupting opposition play before helping in ball progression and chance creation. In defensive duels, Däbritz is physically strong, and capable of holding her own, making her a solid asset in 1v1 duels. Her reading of opposition plays is exceptional and it allows her to position herself well to cover for her teammates and intercept opposition play.
Her ability to serve as a link between the different lines of play adds further value to her, making her an omnipresent part of a team’s play. She is one of the most
On my transfer scale, this move ranks as a masterstroke from the best teams in the business. Not only does it strengthen their squad, adding midfield depth and quality, but it also subsequently weakens an already weak midfield for direct rivals PSG. Däbritz is 27 still, meaning she is at the peak of her abilities with some best years yet to come. At Lyon, with Marozsan and Macario out with injury, Dabritz could be seen filling in that creative goalscorer role and we might see her at her explosive best in terms of output or she could slot in at LCM in a midfield 3 or a double pivot alongside Damaris, giving Sonia Bompastor options.
This move ranks as a complete masterstroke by Aulas.
Ève Périsset (Bordeaux → Chelsea)
Age: 27
Position: Right back / Left back
Chelsea’s squad building process has seen them assemble a lineup akin to Marvel’s Avengers in attack with a plethora of options. Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, Pernille Harder, and Guro Reiten are all deadly and firing cylinders. The other departments have slightly trailed in this aspect and the defence is an area that could do with some work.
Périsset is an industrious fullback. She adds a layer of defensive solidity on her flank while being capable of influencing a team’s play in the offensive third. She is defensively very sound as well, capable of dealing with wingers and holding her own in 1v1 duel situations. She is fairly aggressive in those defensive duels, going in for the tackle and timing them very well. She uses the touchline to her advantage as well.
The French international has good spatial awareness and prioritizes defensive solidity, understanding the importance of good spacing at the back. She can play rather conservatively allowing for the other fullback to push up, maintaining an asymmetrical team shape in offence. She has good recovery pace as well.
Her crossing is valuable as well, she has the quality to deliver good crosses into the box, albeit the consistency on them can improve. She has very good vision to play the looping balls in behind for the runs of attackers, from a deeper position. She is good at completing take-ons on the flanks, managing to create space for her next action. She has set-pieces in her repertoire as well, being able to put a ball in from wide freekicks.
In Périsset, Chelsea now has a player that can either fill in as the wide CB or as a fullback. Her versatility allows for the back 3 experiment at Chelsea to continue while also giving Emma Hayes options to go back to a back 4. She has even plied her trade in midfield and can deputize there. One of the primary things Périsset brings in, apart from her natural quality at fullback, is her experience at the big stage. Before moving to Bordeaux, she was a part of PSG for 4 years while also spending time at Lyon.
On my transfer scale, this move ranks as one of the most sensible ones. It addresses a tactical need by signing a profile that’s missing the squad while making sure the incoming player is of enough quality to elevate the team. With her experience, I think she won’t have much of a settling period and will contribute to the team’s play almost instantly and at 27 she is in her peak years.
This move ranks as a sensible transfer.
Georgia Stanway (Manchester City → Bayern Munich)
Age: 23
Position: Central Midfielder
This move shocked a lot of fans as it was rather out of blue but for a player who has left a great mark at City, finishing the season being the top goalscorer in the history for the Cityzens at just 23, it made sense to have a change of environment.
For Stanway, versatility is the name of the game. She has featured all over the field for Manchester City at some point, except at GK. She can slot in across the front line or in a deeper midfield role, although her primary position however is preferably in an advanced role from midfield.
Stanway has a thunderbolt of a long shot, no distance is out of range for her. Her strikes have enough venom to make them un-saveable. She can strike the ball on the bounce and first time to same effect.
She is good at completing take-ons in the middle of the field and deeper, constantly managing to generate spaces with it. She can act as a good link between the midfield and forward lines, while having good vision to make things happen in the final third as well.
She is forward thinking in possession, looking to progress play into dangerous position via her passes and carries. She also adds verticality with her positioning in-between the lines in final third.
Her workrate is incredible and she never shies away from doing the dirty work in the middle, regularly helping the team to regain possession. She has garnered a reputation of being “reckless” for her tenacity off the ball. She presses well and likes to engage in 1v1 duels.
On my transfer scale of viability, a player as versatile as Stanway is an invaluable asset for any side to have. Her ability to be a creative presence while not compromising on her defensive output is an important asset in modern football.
With changes happening in the manager’s position, it remains to be seen what style of play is adopted by the German team but Stanway has the tools to be important while adding depth to compete in multiple competitions, something they lacked in Paris this year. She could compete with Lohmann for a position while also being capable of slotting at #10 in the 4-2-3-1 that Bayern used under Scheuer.
This move ranks as a smart transfer.
Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg → Bayern Munich)
Age: 20
Position: Center Back / Center Midfielder
A move that seems to have been forgotten now. Announced in February that Bragstad will be joining the Bavarian giants over the summer. Bayern Munich have been crying for reinforcements at the heart of the defence, with the core at that position getting old. This move tries to address just that.
Bragstad is an excellent ball playing modern defender, who can slot into midfield as well. Having started her career further up the field as a midfielder and that’s where comfort on the ball stems from.
She has certain shades of Leah Williamson in the way she carries the ball out of her own third and plays a long diagonal to the other side. This progressive nature on the ball makes her an integral part of the build-up phase. This further allows her to be a creative force capable of kick-starting attacks in one sweeping pass. The range on her passing to play the long diagonal allows her team to switch the point of attack, stretches opposition horizontally and isolates the wingers in a 1v1 with the opposition fullbacks. She can carry the ball high up the pitch and even poses a threat with her long shots.
Her height (1.88m) presents her as an aerially dominant figure but her overall aerial game can still get better. In defensive situations, she often doesn’t get the timing of the jumps right putting her at disadvantage. The stature still makes her a very viable target from attacking set-pieces, allowing her to score multiple goals from such situations. The long legs allow her to cover ground in few strides but she isn’t the quickest CB out there.
Defensively, she is good but there is room for improvement. She reads the play well and likes to close down the ball carrier quickly but can be caught out positionally at times. Her tendency to step up to the ball carrier, sees her over-commit at times, getting beaten easily.
This is a transfer that has gone under the radar and although it comes with a asterisk regarding translating that level of performance into a new surrounding, but overall this move has a lot of potential. Bragstad is a great ball playing CB option that can benefit Bayern in the medium to long term. She is also an able deputy in midfield when need be thanks to her brilliant ball playing and youth days in that role.
This move ranks as a mild risk-high reward.
Jule Brand (Hoffenheim → Wolfsburg)
Age: 19
Position: Winger
Jule Brand is one of the most mercurial attacking talents coming out of Germany. Only 19 years of age, Brand has made her mark in the league and has also demonstrated her quality on the European stage. She scored 3 goals at the UWCL this season for Hoffenheim. She was quick to make a mark on the international stage, scoring and assisting within 5 minutes of her senior international debut.
A direct winger — who is extremely quick and skilled — equally proficient at creating and scoring chances, Brand is a complete package. She can play across the front line. Her quick feet and agile nature on the ball, allow her to navigate tight spaces and make her an adept ball carrier. Her vision to spot dangerous high-value passes is exceptional.
Her tall frame helps her bounce off of challenges while dribbling while shielding the ball, helping her at times to earn a foul. There’s a rhyme and reason to her every action in the final third. She can cut through a defence with her ball carrying or slice it open with a pass or earn a foul in the box with her quick feet.
Being as explosive as Brand in attack, she never hides from defensive responsibilities, providing support to the fullback in defence, while also regularly dropping deep to even out the numbers. She reads the game very well, allowing her to position herself in accordance to her teammates.
On my transfer scale, this is a move that strengthens Wolfsburg’s attack, further adding to names like Wassmuth, Pajor, Roord, Huth, and Sveindis, while securing a premium German talent that has the potential to be the face of the country in the future.
This move ranks as a complete masterstroke.
Sara Agrež (Turbine Potsdam → Wolfsburg)
Age: 21
Position: Center Back/Left back
This move is a case of Wolfsburg spotting a problem and addressing it by signing one of the top CBs in the league.
Recruiting for the defensive department is always a tricky task with transferability from one defensive setup to another. Wolfsburg’s defence has been far from impressive for a while now, ever since Lerch was in-charge. They gave up the defensive solidity for offensive fluidity. The player-to-player approach in a midblock, has had it’s fair bit of successes and failures throughout the season under Stroot.
Agrež is a physically imposing and defensively astute CB. While not the quickest, the Slovenian international does more than enough in her duels to win. She uses her physically imposing nature against quick forwards by showing them away from goal or engaging with them closely and putting them under pressure. Her ability to read and follows the play is brilliant, allowing her to intercept play and put in well-timed tackles and blocks in the box.
She has good qualities on the ball as well, capable of playing long balls over the top, allowing her to kick-start the attacks from deep. Although her passing under pressure is something that can be worked upon. Her left-footed nature adds further value by opening different passing angles in a possession structure.
She isn’t the tallest or the most aerially dominant CB in the league. She constantly struggles in aerial duels from crosses or set-pieces and thus isn’t a threat from them on the offensive end. She doesn’t normally overcommit but her lack of pace makes it hard to recover from precarious situations.
She is versatile too, offering an option at LB or a LCB in back 3 as well. With the starting CBs, Hegering and Janssen, still at Wolfsburg Agrež might have to deputize at LB for the time being. With Hegering being an injury risk, she will provide Wolfsburg with depth in that position too.
On my transfer scale, Wolfsburg are not just getting a solid CB but also a leader figure, who has taken captain duties for her team. Agrež can be commanding and provide cover for multiple positions while offering tactical flexibility. Her communication is largely good too.
This move ranks as a sensible transfer in my books.
Merle Frohms (Frankfurt → Wolfsburg)
Age: 27
Position: Goalkeeper
It’s rare to have a goalkeeper transfer that stands out among all the promise of goals and assists from attackers.
Wolfsburg really took this rebuild seriously and went shopping for all the right things. With Almuth Schult at the twilight stage of her career, Wolfsburg have managed to replace her with one of their own and the current #1 in the German WNT, Merle Frohms. This is a homecoming for Frohms, who started her career at Wolfsburg. A U17 Euros winner in 2012 and U20 FIFA WWC 2014, Frohms’ talented has not been a secret.
Frohms is an excellent shot-stopper, regularly capable of pulling off jaw-dropping saves, while also being adept at performing sweeping duties coming off her line. She has got excellent reflexes and hand-eye coordination, she is quick to go to ground on either side to save low shots and usually is good with stepping out of her line in 1v1 situations.
She is a modern keeper, who is always ready to offer herself as an extra body in possession. She is calm in possession and her distribution is good as well, capable of finding targets higher up the pitch, making her capable of breaking the opposition press.
One area that can potentially further improve is her cross-collection. Standing at just 1.73m, Frohms isn’t the best at claiming high crosses in the box. She is decent at commanding the box and organizing her backline.
Bringing back one of their own players after having her develop into one of the top GKs in the world is a brilliant move. This resolves that position for years to come.
This move ranks as a stroke of genius in my books.
Deyna Castellanos (Atletico Madrid → Man City)
Age: 23
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Second Striker
This one obviously made some headlines, like most things involving Deyna do. Having first made waves at the U17 WWC in 2014, finishing the tournament as the top scorer. She caught the headlines again after a nomination for the world’s best player in 2015 before even playing a minute at senior professional level.
Deyna’s move to Atletico Madrid, in hindsight, is a mixed bag. While it wasn’t a total bust, it has ended with a feeling that she didn’t progress as expected. This isn’t completely down to her either, her numbers are great even if they happened in patches, but the constant changes at the helm at Atleti didn’t help. After an initial 6 month settling period, she managed to be a crucial part of the team.
She is a dynamic player, blessed with great ability on the ball. She has a great shot on her, capable of testing the keeper from range. Her ability to be a playmaker from open-play and set-pieces is great as well. She has good close control and ability in tight spaces.
Deyna is aggressive in nature, often getting caught making rash decisions in the spur of the moment. This has seen her commit some red card offense in her career so far.
On my transfer scale, this is a move that will start off as a slow burn but has the potential to be explosive, especially when worked in tandem with Khadija Shaw upfront. City has lost Georgia Stanway, Deyna can fill in that role, not in terms of Stanway’s versatility but what she offered offensively.
A lot of it also hinges on Taylor’s ability to adapt to his squad rather than shoehorning his ideas. Injuries were very unkind to City last season but even after the return of the players, City’s side always seemed to lack any plan B, which often made them predictable for teams.
This move ranks as “By Taylor’s grace” in my books.
Laia Aleixandri (Atletico Madrid → Man City)
Age: 21
Position: Center Back/Defensive Midfielder
Laia is a Barca academy product that has experienced plenty of football in her rather young career. She is a part of the Spanish golden generation that won 2015 U17 WEuros and was also named in the U19 WEuros team of the tournament that followed it. Her talent, versatility and comfort on the ball was highly rated among the peers.
Laia could provide Man City with options at defensive midfield and as a conservative right fullback. As a pivot is where Spain has recently used her and it has been a positive experiment, allowing her to showcase her on-ball qualities.
Laia is good on the ball when not under much pressure, she has the range and accuracy in her passing which makes her good at recycling possession from the heart of midfield. She can kickstart attack from the heart of midfield with her long passes.
Her body shape when defending is something that has often looked very poor, often opening up to show the attackers inside, allowing opponents to get the shot off. This also hampers her in 1v1 defending duels, often getting caught on the wrong foot, unbalanced, allowing opposition to get the better of her frequently. This also surfaces in situations where she is aggressively stepping up to close the opposition or receiving the ball in defence, putting her at a disadvantage.
She isn’t the quickest CB and doesn’t have the aerial prowess, making it difficult for her to defend aerial deliveries and crosses into the box. She is susceptible to lapses of concentration within games.
One thing about Laia though, is despite being 21 she has plenty of senior football under her belt already. A new country, language and team will still present an unforeseen challenge to her.
Another defensive reinforcement for City, but another one that’s not great at that very thing. Laia’s comfort on the ball and initial hype after the youth tournaments have given her a reputation that she hasn’t quite lived up to yet.
Her age and positional versatility make her a asset to have. She can still perform brilliantly in a system that masks her defensive deficiencies of defending large spaces and supplements her ball playing nature, much like Greenwood from earlier days and she can still improve given her age.
This transfer ranks as moderate risk-moderate reward.
Leila Ouahabi (Barcelona → Man City)
Age: 29
Position: Left Back
Another player from the Spanish league that joins the blue side of Manchester. This time from UWCL finalists, Barcelona. Ouahabi has climbed her way through the ranks at Barcelona’s academy from the age of 13, having played all sorts of advanced positions in her early days. Following a spell at Valencia, Leila returned to the Catalan side in 2016 and was a part of their European triumph in 2021.
In Ouahabi, you have a player who can run up and down the flank and comes from a school of thought where being good on the ball is considered mandatory. Her presence in the opposition half and ability to put in subsequent balls into the box is quite good. She is good at providing supporting runs on the overlap and creating overloads in wide areas. Having played in advanced positions in her early days, her attacking instincts are good and she is eager to venture forwards.
Defensively, Ouahabi lacks a lot. She is poor in 1v1 defending situations, often getting turned inside out. Her eagerness of venturing forwards at every opportunity often leaves acres of space in behind for the opposition to target thus putting the backline at risk. She gets sucked in quite easily by her marker leaving her is no man’s land. She is also susceptible to errors when put under pressure.
She doesn’t deal well with balls over the top, making her susceptible in aerial situations from set-pieces. She often loses track of her marker in defensive situations. Her side was often the area teams looked to target when playing against Barcelona.
Ouahabi fell down in pecking order to summer signing, Fridolina Rolfo, who although not naturally a LB, offered a different dimension in attack with her bombing runs and long range ability via her left foot.
On my transfer scale, while this is a move that makes a lot of sense in terms of profile but I am quite unsure of the success of this. Ouahabi has some glaring issues on the defensive side of things, something that isn’t as compensated by being explosive on the offensive end. While market for LBs is thin, there were some solid young options in Frauen Bundesliga that would probably have proven to be a worthwhile bet.
This move ranks as high risk-mild reward in my books.
‘Tis that time of the newsletter again
Caitlin Foord, on her 100th appearance for the Matildas, with eyes on the back of her head pulls off a nutmeg in the process. That’s vision if you ask me!
Until next time!