- Bunny Shaw has received another major individual honour
- The Man City striker has led a historic WSL title-winning campaign
- The Man City striker is expected to leave this summer
Bunny Shaw’s Manchester City spell could now end with another major individual honour after a title-winning season in the WSL.
The Jamaican international has been the face of City’s attack for several years. Likewise, this season has only strengthened that status.
Her goals have helped Man City with the Women’s Super League for the first time in a decade, while also keeping her on course for another Golden Boot.
However, the timing of her latest award makes the situation more complicated for City, with Shaw expected to leave the club when her contract expires this summer.
Bunny Shaw named FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year
Shaw has been named the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year for the second time.
The 29-year-old won the vote by a landslide after scoring 19 goals in 21 WSL appearances this campaign. FWA chair John Cross described Shaw as a ‘worthy winner’ and said the standards she has set have been ‘remarkable’.
It is a fair summary of her entire Manchester City spell, which is most probably coming to an end this summer.
Since joining from Bordeaux in 2021, Shaw has scored 110 goals in 133 appearances, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer.
She has been City’s most reliable match-winner, and without her contributions this season, their WSL title triumph would almost certainly not have been possible.
Man City exit now looks even more costly
The award comes just days after reports claimed Shaw is set to leave Man City this summer. According to The Guardian, City held extensive talks over a new deal with Shaw.
However, an agreement could not be reached on contract length and rival financial offers among the key issues.
Chelsea are said to be ready to offer Shaw a deal worth around £1m per year, while other major clubs have also been linked.
Despite winning the WSL this season, City are set to lose one of their most decisive players. Likewise, the Sky Blues are going to have a busy summer.
Shaw numbers show why City face a huge rebuild
Shaw’s expected exit looks even bigger when viewed through the numbers. The Jamaican international scored 19 goals and four assists in the WSL this season.
That counts for almost 33% of City’s goal output in the league this season. Man City managed to score 58 goals in the WSL this campaign.
Shaw has also taken the most shots (115) of any WSL striker this season while simultaneously having the most shots on target (49).
She also leads in headed shots with 43 this season. Shaw is also a creative provider with her xA (5.30) being the highest of any striker in the WSL.
She also ranks joint fifth for most assists in the English top-flight. For City, that makes her expected exit a major sporting problem.
