There’s a monster meeting between Chelsea and Manchester City in the Women’s Super League this weekend.
In the penultimate round of games ahead of the international break, the Blues host City in a potentially decisive title showdown. Just two points separate the pair heading in Saturday’s showdown.
In this article, we’ll cover:
It’ll also mark the first time Bunny Shaw faces Chelsea since she came close to signing for the west London side. In one of the WSL’s biggest transfer sagas, the Jamaican striker was on the verge of securing a blockbuster switch to the capital. However, Shaw u-turned on her decision to leave City, and instead penned a new deal with the Manchester giants.
Chelsea’s loss has been City’s gain, and then some. Indeed, the 29-year-old has scored at least five more goals (12) than any other player in the division. Shaw’s scored in every single league start. She’s now just two goals off matching Vivianne Miedema’s 97-goal WSL record.
And she’s doing so in a system that, once more, plays to her strengths. Swede Andree Jeglertz succeeded Gareth Taylor at the City helm last summer, and immediately implemented a setup that has allowed Shaw to flourish.
Change in system continuing to benefit Shaw
Jeglertz has favoured a 4-2-3-1 since he took over, moving away from the possession-heavy 4-3-3 system that Taylor preferred. City had the highest possession return in the 2024/25 season (65.7%) before switching the latter for the former. And with it City saw less of the ball.
In Jeglertz’s debut campaign, they managed 56.5% possession. It was a tact that worked as City ended a 10-year wait for the WSL title. This season, that return has risen slightly to 58.8%. Both hauls are the third highest in the league. What this means is that City are able to get the ball forward quickly.
As such, only London City Lionesses (12) have had more shots following a counter attack than City (11) in the 2026/27 WSL campaign. No team has scored more counter-attacking goals than the defending champions (3). Shaw has netted one of those. What this means is that City are able to attack disorganised backlines as they quickly transition from defence to attack.
Opponents have routinely struggled to contain Shaw, who was a handful even when they dominated the ball. Now, she has more space to attack. Teams are finding it harder to keep her contained. As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Shaw ranks top for big chances scored (8). City, meanwhile, are top for big chances created (33), this despite only ranking fourth for chances created (122).
They are creating opportunities frequently, but instead relying on quality over quantity.
Fujino impact vital
It also helps that Jeglertz has deployed a hard-working number 10 to provide greater support for Shaw. Japanese star Aoba Fujino has largely been tasked with operating in the space behind Shaw. Fujino isn’t the most creative player in this City side, but instead works tirelessly off the ball to provide a defensive shield in the final third. After all, she’s made more tackles (26) than any other player for City in the WSL this season.
This is another way where City are maximising the lack of possession. Instead, they have a ball-winner operating higher up the pitch. This in turn allows City to rapidly spring upfield when opponents have already committed women forward.
And it’s not just Shaw who is profiting from a player of Fujino’s skillset in the side. Lauren Hemp is another driving force behind City’s pursuit of glory. The England star ranks top for chances created (28) and assists (6) in the league.
Of those six assists, five have been for Shaw. It’s the best assist-to-goalscorer combination in England’s top tier. With Shaw and Hemp granted licence to get forward when they win the ball, it’s no wonder the duo are thriving.
Can Chelsea defence contain Man City?
Of course, City’s gameplan will be put to the test at Chelsea on Saturday. They’ve only won one of their last eight trips to the Blues. They can afford to drop points this weekend. However, victory at Chelsea will see the two-time WSL champions open up a five-point lead at the top of the table.
Sonia Bompastor’s side, like City, haven’t lost a league game this season. Chelsea have only shipped five times in the WSL. That defensive resolve will be put to the test and then some when Shaw and co. make the trip south this weekend.
And with the direct approach under Jeglertz having the desired effect, the likes of Lucy Bronze, Kadeisha Buchanan and Keira Walsh need to be on top of their respective games when City come to town.