London City Lionesses welcome Alexia Putellas, who seeks new challenges in WSL
Putellas embraces new challenge in England
Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion, has joined London City Lionesses, marking a significant move for the Women’s Super League. Putellas, who has also secured four Champions League titles, expressed her commitment to the new project, stating, “I’m hungry to win, to be better day after day, to fight with my teammates for the victory.” Her arrival is seen as a major coup for the club, which finished sixth in the WSL last season, 22 points adrift of European qualification spots.
The decision to join London City Lionesses follows a 14-year spell at Barcelona, where she was a central figure in numerous trophy successes. Despite her extensive achievements, Putellas believes the WSL can offer new avenues for personal and professional growth. She noted that the league’s competitive nature, where “you never know what will be the result of the game,” will push her to her limits and help her become a more complete player.
Putellas’s move is part of an ambitious recruitment drive by London City Lionesses, backed by businesswoman Michele Kang. The club has made several high-profile signings this summer, including France forward Kadidiatou Diani from Lyonnes, Putellas’s former Barcelona teammate Mapi León, and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps from PSG. These acquisitions highlight Kang’s strategy to elevate the club’s standing in women’s football.
Adapting to a new environment
Putellas has been open about the adjustments required for her new life in England, from learning the language to navigating everyday activities like finding an apartment and shopping. She humorously recounted her first experience with an English fry-up, noting it was “quite different,” particularly the sausages and eggs, though she found it “fine.”
The Spanish international also shared light-hearted exchanges with former Barcelona teammates, including England duo Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze, who joked about the physical nature of the WSL, telling her they would “kick” her. Putellas took this in good spirits, clarifying she was “just joking” and expressing her readiness for the league’s demands.
The London City Lionesses squad offers some familiarity for Putellas, with six Spanish teammates and head coach Eder Maestre, who previously managed Tenerife. Maestre’s tenure at Tenerife saw the team finish sixth in his only full season and rise to fifth before his departure for England. This existing Spanish contingent is expected to aid Putellas in settling into her new surroundings.
Putellas emphasized her desire to learn new tactical elements from the English game. She mentioned that while she is accustomed to controlling low blocks in Spain, she is looking forward to experiencing “different kind of games or box-to-box and all this stuff” in the WSL. This suggests a strategic approach to further develop her skills on the pitch.
The new WSL season is set to commence with London City Lionesses hosting Manchester United on September 5. This match at Hayes Lane in Bromley will mark Putellas’s debut in the league. Her arrival, along with other significant signings, positions London City Lionesses as a team to watch as they aim to challenge the established powers in the WSL.
The club’s ambition, as outlined in her initial conversations with London City, was a key factor in her decision. Putellas stated, “I want to be part of that journey, bring the experience I have and learn as a player and make me more complete.” She believes the league can provide her with new experiences and challenges she has not encountered before.
Michele Kang’s multi-club ownership group, Kynisca, which includes teams in France, England, and the United States, aims to build a global brand. The strategy involves making commercially appealing signings like Putellas, who can attract a broader audience to women’s football. This approach is intended to boost revenue, especially given the WSL’s new financial rules regarding wage bills relative to income.
Putellas’s commitment to the project is evident in her focus on hard work rather than setting specific expectations. She believes that the team’s efforts during pre-season and throughout the season should speak for themselves. This mindset aligns with her continuous drive for improvement, even at this stage of her decorated career.
The London City Lionesses’ project, while ambitious, faces the challenge of competing with well-resourced teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Putellas’s presence is expected to significantly enhance the team’s capabilities as they strive to achieve Kang’s goal of qualifying for Champions League football. Her debut against Manchester United is scheduled for September 5.
Source: theguardian.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
