Who won the WSL transfer window? Rate each club’s deals

The Women’s Super League winter transfer window closed on Tuesday – but which club did the best business?

League-leaders Manchester City made a statement signing, reigning champions Chelsea had a quiet one and it was a busy month for struggling West Ham and Liverpool.

Sitting 11 points clear at the top of the WSL, Manchester City could not have hoped for much more at this point in the season.

The club’s first WSL trophy since 2016 is well within their reach but the £600,000 addition of United States midfielder Sam Coffey from Portland Thorns will give Andree Jeglertz’s side an extra boost going into the final eight games of the season.

“Coffey is a very shrewd signing,” said former City captain Houghton. “She has international experience and is a more defensive-minded midfielder, which City didn’t really have.”

Any faint hopes Chelsea had of overhauling City to claim a seventh straight title have not been helped by the lack of recruitment this month, although Houghton was not surprised.

“Chelsea have got a really good squad already,” she said. “They’ve built one for the future and have experienced players as well. It’s just at this moment in time they haven’t been performing to the expectations we have seen.”

After Sunday’s humiliating defeat by City, Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor indicated she had hoped for more January signings.

“I couldn’t believe that. She has the strongest team quality-wise when looking at depth and signings made,” former Scotland defender Beattie told BBC Women’s Football Weekly.

“I could not tell you what positions she is looking to fill. There are no gaps.”

Second-placed Manchester United, meanwhile, were active early on in the window, bringing in experienced Germany striker Lea Schuller, along with Sweden’s Hanna Lundkvist and Ellen Wangerheim.

“There’s been a lot of talk about where United want to take their women’s team and the signing of Lea Schuller is the answer – she is prolific,” Houghton said.

“Defensively, they’ve always been solid and now they’ve bought a really good all-round player to strengthen their forward line. They are right in the mix.”

As Tottenham look to continue their fine start to the season and boost their chances of European football next term, Martin Ho has added a handful of new signings to his squad – including one of the world’s best young talents in Signe Gaupset.

“Martin Ho has done a really good job of propelling them into the top half of the league and making them more consistent,” said Houghton. “I think Spurs have been really clever this window and are going from strength to strength.”

Promoted side London City Lionesses were the busiest team in the summer transfer window but they’ve taken a more measured approach this time around with just one new signing – France international Delphine Cascarino.

“She’s clever, quick and I like watching her play,” Houghton said of Cascarino. “London City did a lot of their business in the summer and now all the foundations are there for them in the WSL.”

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have shown ambition in bringing in Oriane Jean-Francois from Chelsea for £450,000 and they’ve also signed Arsenal defender Jenna Nighswonger on loan.

Everton, who sit ninth, have opted to bring in two players on loan deals, with Manchester United’s Hannah Blundell and Arsenal’s Laila Harbert joining for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, 10th-placed Leicester have been more active, snapping up experienced WSL players Alisha Lehmann, Ashleigh Neville, Sarah Mayling and Rachel Williams to help distance themselves from the relegation play-off spot.

But it is the bottom two clubs – West Ham and Liverpool – who have been the busiest, each bringing in six new players.

Under new boss Rita Guarino, the Irons have strengthened their defence with the additions of Estelle Cascarino and Tuva Hansen while Katie Zelem – on loan from London City – adds experience to the midfield.

However, key defenders Anouk Denton and Amber Tysiak have left the club.

Struggling at the bottom of the table, Liverpool have reinforced across their squad to try to get out of trouble.

Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk has already become the club’s number-one goalkeeper, while Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan became the club’s record signing.