Chinese footballer Wang Shuang has spoken publicly about wanting to play in the Women’s Super League. The 27-year-old has primarily played in China, with 6 of her 7 spells coming in China. The one exception to that was a spell with Paris-Saint Germain, which only lasted a season.
In that season, she recorded 7 goals in 1263 minutes, a goal every 2 full games. With more time in France, those numbers would have increased with more confidence and more experience, which shows that Europe isn’t beyond her capabilities. But can she crack England?
She definitely wants to, because in an interview with China Daily last week, she said, “I want to play in the English Super League, and we are currently making contact. I think it will happen in July or August.” A very simple, clear response. She wants it to happen, she’s said when she thinks it’ll happen, the only question is, where to? I’ve got 3 clubs who I think she could move to in the WSL, so let’s have a look.
CHELSEA
Chelsea already have attacking options, and with the likes of Pernille Harder, Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, Erin Cuthbert, Beth England, Lauren James and potentially Aggie Beever-Jones coming through the fold, it may be quite difficult for Shuang to make a short term or long term impact in attack.
However, she can also play in midfield, and that is where she could fit in for the Blues. Chelsea midfielder Ji recently announced she would leave the club to move to Suwon FC. She was a vital chance creator in the big games, and Wang Shuang could be perfect to fill that role. Ji recorded 5 assists in 649 minutes last season, so despite not being at her best, you can see why they might want someone who can replace the version of her from a few years ago.
If she wants to have a short-term spell then Chelsea makes sense, as she can help them in their fight for the Champions League trophy, whilst helping them maintain their WSL title and retrieve their domestic cups. Chelsea is a club that loves success, and if she wants to stay for a season, a move to West London would make sense for both parties.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United have been chasing down the Champions League for a while now, and this is the sort of ambitious signing that they need to be making if they want to get there. Wang Shuang would help bring a more competitive environment to Manchester United’s changing room, something which needs to happen.
This deal could happen in two different ways. If Alessia Russo decides her time at Manchester United is up (depending on how her option for another year is structured), then Wang Shuang and Lucía García both come in, as replacements for her and Signe Bruun.
However, it could also happen as only Shuang coming in, with someone like Ivana Fuso leaving and also to replace Signe Bruun. This wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it wouldn’t exactly strengthen United. However, I think the first option is more likely than the second.
SPURS
Despite her likely wanting to play in the Champions League and compete for the highest of honours, a move to Spurs would also make a lot of sense. Spurs are a team who have been trying to move into those coveted Champions League spots, and her signing would definitely move them closer to that.
In fact, Spurs have already tried a similar signing, when they brought Alex Morgan over to England in 2020. Her deal was slightly different, as it mostly ran through the off-season, and occurred due to her wanting to regain fitness. She only ended up staying for 3 months, as the club and her decided to part ways. However, the move was financially successful, helping bring a level of excitement to Spurs that didn’t exist prior to her move, which helped bring in fans. Despite not working out on the pitch, it certainly did help Spurs’ brand recognition in the States.
If that partnership had worked and Morgan was fit and scoring like we’ve seen her do in the NWSL and for the USWNT, then it definitely would have helped them climb the table. If they had goals like that last season, they would have had a real shot of making the Champions League. Spurs were sitting in 3rd for longer than City did, and their defence was on par with City and United, but it was their lack of firepower in front of goal that made them miss out.
Spurs need players badly right now, specifically a striker If they could help talk her into coming over to play at the Hive, then that would be the perfect signing. After Rachel Williams left the club, they have been without a reliable goal scorer. Despite her not playing in the WSL before, she could definitely provide them.
