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Matildas raring for EWSL title race

3 minute read

Sam Kerr's Chelsea won England's WSL last season but Manchester City's Australian recruit Alanna Kennedy is determined to change that.

SAMANTHA KERR.
SAMANTHA KERR. Picture: Henry Browne/Getty Images

Months after fighting alongside Sam Kerr for team glory, Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy is out to thwart her international teammate's bid for back-to-back title's in England's Women's Super League.

Kennedy and fellow Australian Hayley Raso recently joined Manchester City, who finished two points behind golden boot-winner Kerr's Chelsea in last season's title race, from Tottenham and Everton respectively.

"Europe is where I'm yet to have the success that I would like and so that's obviously why I'm over here - I want to experience something different," Kennedy told AAP.

"Being a part of City - it obviously is a team and a club that is capable of winning those trophies.

"I've ticked off (winning titles in) the US, obviously Australia, and now hopefully, I'm going for the Europeans - WSL and if Champions League happened as well that would be amazing too.

"I feel as though (City) feel that they fell short last year and could have done better and obviously that's a great mentality to have - always wanting more.

"They're just more and more determined to go one better this year and I'm excited to now be a part of that."

There are 10 Matildas in the WSL with forward Emily Gielnik signing for Aston Villa on Thursday.

Chelsea, City and Arsenal - who have Matildas Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams - are the three top contenders for the title this season.

Kennedy largely played midfield for Tottenham but returned to central defence with the Matildas, and after finding "glimpses" of her best form at the Olympics, was keen to kick on in City's experienced defence.

"Being here, it's given me an opportunity to be around good players, better myself as a player and continue to grow around these experienced players," she said.

"So I'm hoping that it can push my game to the next level."

Kennedy, Raso and Tottenham's Kyah Simon all signed two-year contracts at their respective clubs, taking them through to the 2023 Women's World Cup.

The defender believed that continuity would help prime the Matildas for 2023.

"When you know you can call a place home for the next whatever period of time, that's definitely something that is helpful," she said.

"To now have a little bit more of a base and to feel a bit more settled - that definitely allows us to focus more on our football, and being able to be as good as we can on the field."

MATILDAS IN THE WSL

* Arsenal - Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Lydia Williams

* Aston Villa - Emily Gielnik

* Chelsea - Sam Kerr

* Manchester City - Alanna Kennedy, Hayley Raso

* Tottenham - Kyah Simon

* West Ham - Mackenzie Arnold, Tameka Yallop

OPENING ROUND FIXTURES POTENTIALLY FEATURING MATILDAS (AEST)

* Aston Villa v Leicester, 9.30pm Saturday

* Everton v Manchester City, 10.30pm Saturday

* Tottenham v Birmingham, 12am Sunday

* Arsenal v Chelsea, 9.30pm Sunday

* Brighton and Hove Albion v West Ham, 11pm Sunday

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