A lot of players have rightfully received their plaudits in the Women’s Super League so far this season. But it feels as though Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s campaign is being somewhat overlooked.
Shaw won the WSL Golden Boot in 2023-24, scoring 21 goals in 18 games for Manchester City Women. It’s the best goals to games rate by a Golden Boot winner in WSL history. She retained her crown (or boot) last season, but this time she only scored 12 goals.
While it was a underwhelming season for top scorers in the WSL, Shaw’s 12 goals came in just 14 appearances as she suffered with injury. So far this season, Shaw has scored four goals in the WSL with only Manchester United’s Melvine Malard (five) scoring more. But Shaw has shown that she is still the best striker in the league.
In this article, we’ll cover:
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Bunny Shaw’s unrivalled shooting
It’s no surprise that Shaw is scoring frequently in the WSL. The Jamaican striker’s four goals have come at an average of 0.68 per 90 minutes. That ranks her fourth in the WSL among players with at least 270 minutes played — 50% of the available time.
She does lead the way, though, for shots. Shaw has taken 32 shots in the WSL this season, more than any other player. She sits 14 shots clear of second-placed Cathinka Tandberg of Tottenham Hotspur. Shaw also stands in a league of her own when it comes to per 90s. The Jamaican averages 5.42 shots per 90, with second-placed Ebony Salmon of Tottenham Hotspur on 4.04
By comparison, top scorer Malard averages 3.45 shots per 90, while Arsenal’s Alessia Russo averages 2.73 and Aggie Beever-Jones of Chelsea averages 2.5.
It’s a similar story for shots on target. Shaw has hit the target 15 times in the WSL this season, five more than any other player. In fact, if you only counted Shaw’s shots on target, she’d still rank inside the top 10 in the WSL for shots. Vivianne Miedema and Malard are the only other players in the WSL to hit double digits for shots on target this season.
Miedema and Malard are also two of just three players to average more than 2.0 shots on target per 90, among those with at least half the available minutes played. Miedema averages 2.06, while Malard averages 2.03. But, of course, Shaw sits on top with 2.54 shots per 90.
Bunny Shaw’s ball retention
As well as being a general threat when fed the ball in dangerous positions, Shaw can make those chances for herself. You’d normally expect wingers to sit top of the rankings in a league for take-ons attempted and completed. But Shaw leads the way for both.
The Jamaican has attempted 27 take-ons in the WSL this season, four more than any other player. Tottenham’s Jessica Naz is second with 23, the only other player to attempt at least 20 take-ons. Shaw’s 13 take-ons completed is also the best in the league, two more than teammate Yui Hasegawa.
Shaw also sits top for take-ons when you look at per 90s, among players with at least 270 minutes played. The Man City striker’s 4.58 take-ons attempted is just ahead of Catarina Macario, with the Chelsea forward averaging 4.47. Now, Shaw isn’t top for take-ons completed per 90. But she still comes in at second with her average of 2.2. She’s only bettered by Macario, whose average is a league-high 2.68.
There really is no stopping Shaw.
Bunny Shaw’s box threat
It will be no surprise to see Shaw leading the way in the WSL for touches in the opposition box. Her 70 in 2025-26 is 27 more than second-placed Russo. The Englishwoman’s Arsenal teammate Caitlin Foord is third with 40 touches in the opposition box.
Shaw also leads the metric per 90, averaging 11.86 touches in the opposition box. She’s the only player to average double digits.
But perhaps the biggest impact Shaw has outside of her goalscoring, is her pressing. Opponents don’t just have to deal with what Shaw does on the ball in dangerous areas. Defences also have to make sure they steer clear of her when they have the ball on the edge of their own box.
Shaw has won possession nine times in the attacking third in the WSL this season. Only Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey (10) has won possession more times in the attacking third more times than Shaw in the WSL.
It’s a big part of Man City’s game. Andree Jeglertz’s side have won possession 61 times in the attacking third this season, more than any other WSL side. Shaw is joined on nine by Hasegawa, while Miedema is just one behind on eight possessions won in the attacking third. Shaw alone contributes to 14.75% of Man City’s possessions won in the attacking third this season.
Shaw is integral to the way Man City play. And she’s fantastic. There’s no one like her.