Khadija Shaw Crowned FWA Women’s Player of the Year Amid Transfer Speculation
Manchester City striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has secured the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women’s Footballer of the Year award for the 2025-26 season. The Jamaican international’s individual brilliance has been the catalyst for a historic campaign, as she led City to their first Women’s Super League (WSL) title in a decade.
- Award Win: Shaw wins the FWA Women’s Player of the Year for the second time in her career.
- Historic Stats: With 19 goals in 21 games, Shaw is on the verge of becoming the first player to score 20+ goals in three separate WSL seasons.
- Team Success: Shaw’s goals powered Manchester City to their first league title in ten years.
- Future Uncertainty: Contract negotiations with City have stalled, with Chelsea emerging as the favorites to sign the striker.
A Landslide Victory for the “Bunny”
The FWA award, decided by a vote of more than 900 members, recognizes the most outstanding player in the English game. Shaw won the award by a landslide, comfortably beating out Arsenal forward Alessia Russo, who finished second and Chelsea’s Lauren James, who took third place. This marks the second time Shaw has claimed the prestigious honor, having previously won it for the 2023-24 season.
Speaking on the achievement, Shaw expressed her pride in the collective success of her team, stating, “Playing a part in us winning the WSL title for the first time in ten years is one of the proudest moments of my career.”
Chasing History: The Golden Boot and Beyond
Shaw’s 2025-26 campaign has been defined by clinical efficiency. She currently leads the WSL scoring charts with 19 goals in 21 appearances, holding a seven-goal lead over Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson. If she secures the Golden Boot, it will be her third consecutive season finishing as the league’s top scorer.
The Jamaican forward is also within striking distance of several major milestones:
- The 20-Goal Club: Shaw needs just one more goal to become the first player in WSL history to reach 20 or more goals in three different seasons.
- Goal Contributions: She is one goal or assist away from reaching 100 total goal contributions in the competition.
- Club Legend Status: Having joined City in 2021, Shaw has netted 113 times in 135 appearances, becoming the first player in the club’s professional history to reach a century of goals in December 2025.
Her season has been highlighted by explosive performances, including the quickest hat-trick in WSL history during a March victory over Tottenham Hotspur and a four-goal haul against Aston Villa in December.
The Transfer Tug-of-War: City vs. Chelsea
Despite her on-field dominance and the joy of the league title, Shaw’s future at the Joie Stadium is uncertain. Her contract expires this summer, and reports indicate that negotiations for a new deal have broken down due to a failure in communications.
Chelsea has emerged as the frontrunner to secure her signature. According to reports, the Blues have offered Shaw a contract worth up to £1 million per year, reportedly offering at least one more year of contract length than Manchester City was willing to provide. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has confirmed that signing a “number nine” is a high priority for the club.
Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz remains hopeful that the striker will stay, noting, “I still hope she’s signing a new contract with Manchester City, definitely,” though he acknowledged the final decision rests with the player and club officials.
Looking Ahead
As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Shaw’s final match against West Ham United. Beyond the chance to secure the Golden Boot and reach 100 goal contributions, the game serves as a final chapter in what may be her last appearance for the champions.
Whether she remains the focal point of City’s attack or makes a blockbuster move to Chelsea, Shaw has firmly established herself as the premier forward in the WSL, blending raw power with historic consistency.