The Manchester clubs dominate the five-strong shortlist for the Barclays Women’s Super League January player of the month award. They are joined by two players from Emma Hayes’ Chelsea.
Manchester City pair Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly are nominated for the prestigious monthly prize, as is Manchester United star Ella Toone. Resurgent Chelsea favourite Fran Kirby and Blues teammate Melanie Leupolz complete the list.
Hemp had a supremely productive January, scoring twice and registering an assist in a 7-0 thrashing of WSL newcomers Aston Villa. The 20-year-old England international also got two furthers assists in City’s wins over Brighton and West Ham.
Kelly, who made the switch to City from Everton last summer, also found the net against Villa, as well as getting two assists. She then managed a hat-trick of assists when City beat Brighton 7-1 and also scored in the game to finish January with two goals and five assists.
Toone has been crucial in United’s WSL title challenge. Her team lost a close contest against Chelsea to kick off January, but the home-grown talent netted in subsequent wins over both Everton and Birmingham that put her team back atop the league standings.
Only a few months on from her return to football after a career threatening illness, Kirby has been in masterful form for Chelsea. She scored four goals in a 5-0 rout against former club Reading and was calm and composed when she netted the winner against Manchester United.
Having joined Chelsea from Bayern Munich last summer, Leupolz is finding her feet in English football and has drawn special praise from manager Hayes in particular. The German international also added more goals to her game in January with a brace against Tottenham.
Public voting for Barclays Player of the Month is open until 12pm on Friday 12 February.
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Source : 90min