Khadija Shaw making her Mark in Manchester City

Jamaican striker Khadija Shaw announced her arrival in English football by scoring an impressive goal for Manchester City on her league debut. The citizens destroyed Everton 4-0 on the opening day of the Women’s Super League. Manchester City opened the scoring with goals from Vicky Losada and Janine Beckie in the 26th and 36th minute respectively. Shaw then tapped-in from close range after receiving a beautiful cross from Hayley Rao in the 38th minute. Gareth Taylor’s side finished the scoring with a sublime second-half free kick from Steph Houghton in the second half. Manchester City were the runners up in last season’s Women’s Super League campaign after losing out to the Chelsea women’s team. Shaw’s start to life in England is similar to how she began in Bordeaux, France two years ago. She scored two goals for the French team and ended up with 10 goals in the 2019-2020 season. 

Man city have been looking to improve their attack so that they can compete with Chelsea in the league; Chelsea have won four seasons in a row. The club also wants to have a good run in the lucrative champions league competition, as well as other domestic cups. They completed the signing of Shaw from Bordeaux in June. She arrives as one of the best strikers in women’s football having bagged 22 goals last season. She was named in the French league’s ‘’best team of the season.’’ She is on a three-year deal at City. Shaw is also a huge superstar for Jamaica having scored 42 goals for her country. She played a major role in Jamaica’s qualification in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019. Both teams will be playing on September 12. Manchester City Women will be in their home stadium where they will face Tottenham women, while Everton women will face off against Chelsea women. 

Shaw, whose nickname is ‘’Bunny’’ is a very entertaining player. The Jamaican is quite different from Manchester city’s current striker, Ellen White. White is a traditional No.9 with good hold-up play, goal poaching abilities in the box and ability to create chances for teammates. On the other hand, Shaw is a fast player who loves to run in behind and she has ability to create chances for herself. Shaw also brings some much-needed squad depth which has been lacking in the team. They will be battling for the No.9 position but they can also play together. Head coach Gareth Taylor has been full of praise for Shaw. He revealed that the club chose her because her goal record for Jamaica and Bordeaux is impressive. He also said that they love her professionalism and hunger to learn. Shaw said that she had moved to England to learn from experienced players so that she can improve her game. She is a talented player with a bright future and it remains to be seen how the future will unfold. The Manchester women in action in the UEFA Women’s Champions League second leg against Real Madrid, the first leg ended in 1-1 draw, with Manchester holding the away goal. What will Shaw produce?

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