Ian Wright and Steph Houghton recently shared their ideal signings for the Arsenal Women and Manchester City teams during an episode of the Crossways Podcast. This discussion comes as both teams have made significant moves this winter season to strengthen their squads.
Current Transfers in Women’s Football
Arsenal has welcomed right-back Smilla Holmberg into their ranks. Meanwhile, Manchester City invested £650,000 to acquire midfielder Sam Coffey from Portland Thorns. These additions reflect the ongoing commitment of both clubs to enhance their performances.
Ian Wright’s Ideal Signing for Arsenal Women
Wright named Claudia Pina, a star player with Barcelona, as his dream signing for Arsenal Women. Initially, he considered Trinity Rodman, the highest-paid player in women’s football, but ultimately favored Pina. The 24-year-old forward boasts an impressive record of 88 goals in 179 appearances for Barcelona. This season, she has netted 14 goals in 16 Liga F matches.
Why Claudia Pina?
Wright praised Pina’s skills and performance, stating, “She’s just brilliant. Every time I watch her, she always does well.” Despite being in the final year of her contract, Pina signed an extension with Barcelona until 2029 last December.
Steph Houghton’s Dream Signing for Manchester City
Steph Houghton identified Aitana Bonmati, another key player from Barcelona, as her ideal signing for Manchester City. Houghton envisions a strong midfield partnership with Bonmati and Yui Hasegawa. In response, Wright highlighted the unfair advantage this duo would give City, saying it would be “unfair on everybody else.”
Potential Manchester City Midfield
Houghton expressed excitement about the prospect of Bonmati controlling the midfield alongside Hasegawa and Bunny Shaw up front. This combination could significantly bolster Manchester City’s attacking options.
Increased Interest in High-Profile Players
Wright noted that the allure of players like Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas might attract other clubs, including London City Lionesses, as women’s football continues to grow. He emphasized the need for top players to compete in leagues like the Women’s Super League (WSL) for more comprehensive tests of their abilities.
Conclusion
Both Ian Wright and Steph Houghton remain passionate about the growth of women’s football. Their ideal signings reflect their hopes for enhancing competitiveness in the league. As teams invest in talent, the future of women’s football looks promising.
