We’ve taken a look at the latest transfer window and discussed where some of our players ended up.

Transfer Successes

Clarissa Larisey to BK Hacken

LB: This is a brilliant move for Larisey to make. Larisey made big waves in the SWPL, rightly earning CANXNT call-ups for her performances. She has proved herself in limited minutes with the national team and deserves to be tested in a higher-quality league. On the press call for the SheBelives Cup, Priestman mentioned how happy she was for Larisey to develop and test herself against better opposition. I agree, and I think this only bodes well for Larisey’s development. Given that she is still a young player, she has time to make a jump to a bigger league later on in her career.

MS: This is a good move for Larisey – she was excellent in the SWPL but if she wants to challenge for a WC spot she is going to need to prove herself against some tougher opponents. She has shown she is smart enough to know when she needs to move on, and as she is still young I can see her making the move to a bigger league in the future. 

Sabrina D’Angelo to Arsenal

MC: I’m unsure what to make of this move and a lot will depend on the future of Zinsberger. If she leaves and D’Angelo gets a genuine shot at being the starting keeper, this makes total sense and would be a very impressive step up. Regardless, as the second keeper, she should get cup games – but going from a starting position to a backup is questionable unless there is the chance that could change.

LB: I want to say this is a good move. As Meg said, the transition from starting to the second keeper is questionable. However, if D’Angelo can get consistent playtime, plus challenge Zinsberger, I think this will work out well for her.

MS: As Meg and Laura have said, going from a starting keeper to backup is questionable. If she can get some consistent playtime in cup games and challenge Zinsberger, it may work out for her.
 

Jayde Riviere to Manchester United

LB: I believe this is a good move for Riviere. Forgoing the NWSL draft and moving directly to Europe is a wonderful opportunity for her. I think she will see solid playtime in her first season (once her injury is fully healed), and depending on contract options at Man United, she has a real opportunity to be in the starting XI next season.

MS: I really like this for Jayde. As we have seen previously, the NWSL isn’t always the best place for Canadians to start out in. Making the move directly to the WSL will be great for her development and I can see her being in the starting XI next season. I am not sure Meg is too thrilled though, being a City fan. 

MC: No comment.

Gabrielle Carle to Washington Spirit

LB: This is an excellent move for Carle. With the World Cup on the horizon and great positional depth on the national team at LB, she will be fighting to be on the WC roster. This is a move that shows her willingness to play against tougher opposition. Given O’Hara’s departure from the Spirit, and Carle’s familiarity with much of the coaching/training staff, she should be in a good position to earn solid playtime. This is clearly a move with the WC in mind, and I love that.

MS: This is a great move for Carle. She has previously struggled to break into the starting XI/get valuable minutes. She will need to play regularly and against tougher teams and the NWSL is a great place for that. Carle will need to show what she is capable of to secure her spot in the WC this summer. With a solid first pro-year and with familiarity with the coaching staff, Carle can come into the Spirit and challenge for some solid playing time. 

Erin McLeod to Iceland

MC: There is something so lovely about McLeod and Jonsdottir settling in Iceland to finish off their professional careers. As heartbreaking as her international retirement may be, with so many players forced off the pitch permanently through injury, the fact that McLeod has full control over the closing stages of her career is bittersweet. The Pride will miss both of them dearly, but their new chapter in the Besta deild kvenna sounds idyllic.

LB: I have nothing to say except I’m happy for McLeod. I’m sad to see her time on the national team come to an end, but I am thrilled that she will have one final opportunity to play in a different country. 

MS: I am heartbroken that McLeod has now officially retired from the national team. I am so excited for her to make this move and start the next chapter in her life. I will miss seeing her play for the Pride though.

Devon Kerr to Houston Dash

MC: This move seems to be something of a level transfer, with Kerr likely going from backup at the Spirit to backup at the Dash. To obtain a starting spot would probably mean going abroad, so settling for that second keeper role was always on the cards if Kerr wanted to stay in the NWSL.

LB: I’m not sure I understand this move. If I were her, I’d go abroad to have a shot at being a starting keeper. I know the Spirit only played her in a handful of games, but the Dash have a strong keeper they’re not likely to oust in favour of Kerr. I hope she gets more game time/minutes than she did at Spirit, but I have my doubts.

MS: Between the 2022 regular season and the 2022 Challenge Cup, Kerr only played four games. As it appears like Campbell is no longer getting called up to the USWNT, she may not have many chances to play. If Kerr wants to make the WC roster she is going to need to play regularly, which will probably mean going abroad. We will see what happens this season, but I’m not sure this move has much of an impact on her career.

Transfer Failures

Janine Beckie to WSL

MC: ​​Beckie’s first season at the Thorns was a mixed bag. Whilst she was consistently a reliable player for the team, her playtime was up and down and she seemed to struggle to find confidence in her role. A move back to England would have been thoroughly unsurprising; the WSL probably suits Beckie more due to the emphasis on passing and link-up play. Still, Beckie has only had one season with Portland thus far – and at that, a season where she admitted she had been mentally and physically exhausted. Now she is more settled, and with the benefit of preseason, hopefully she will be able to find her place in the squad and avoid having to relocate once again.

LB: I would have loved to see Beckie in England again. Whilst this didn’t work out, I believe we’ll see a stronger club season from her at Portland this year. Now that she has time to settle in, and time in pre-season with the Thorns, I think we’ll see her come into her own in 2023.

MS: Beckie’s first season with the Thorns wasn’t ideal – but considering she was dealing with mental and physical exhaustion it might explain her lack of playing time. Now with a proper rest after 15 months of being in season and participating in the Thorns’ pre-season I think we will see the Beckie we know for Canada.

Cloé Lacasse to Arsenal

MC: At the end of the day, Lacasse needs to move to a better league – and quickly. Her numbers in Portugal are impressive and her Champions League experience is vital, but she is yet to prove that she has what it takes to go week in week out in a more competitive league. That kind of sustained pressure is essential if she wishes to become a bigger part of Canada’s attack; right now, it doesn’t seem that she’s had enough experience in a high pressure environment. Locking herself into a Benfica contract until 2024 may have been a mistake, but a good World Cup performance may mean clubs are more willing to pay the undoubtedly extravagant fee that Benfica will demand in order to let her go.

LB: To put it bluntly, going to Benfica was a good move. Staying there might have cost her a chance at a solid club. There’s a time and a place for lower European leagues. The transition from Iceland to Portugal was good, and Lacasse is clearly talented; she’s demonstrated this in the UWCL and gained good experience. However, she has not proven herself enough at the international level to be worth the price Benfica is now asking since she re-signed with them last year. I want Lacasse to succeed, and I want to see her do well in a stronger European league.

MS: Lacasse has shown she is valuable to Benfica, unfortunately, that means they won’t let her go easily. While moving to Benfica was smart, staying there wasn’t. Lacasse needs to show she can consistently bring what she has for Benfica against tougher opposition, and so far she hasn’t done that. Benfica is obviously asking a lot for Lacasse, but without a consistent showing against top teams, bigger clubs may be unwilling to spend that. Like Meg said, a solid WC may mean more clubs will be willing to spend money on her, and I do hope this happens.

Julia Grosso to Manchester City

MC: It’s hard to remain unbiased here, but it seems likely that City will try again for Grosso in the summer. This may work out preferably, as at that point, she’ll have more experience under her belt to push for a starting spot in what is likely to be a more competitive midfield group. In the summer, Grosso will also be able to factor in the Champions League; there is no guarantee Manchester City qualifies considering the success of Manchester United so far. Juventus has clearly had a very positive impact on the youngster, and staying there would not be a poor decision at all, particularly as she is likely to continue being of interest to other clubs if she wishes to move in the future.

LB: In all honesty, I’m glad this didn’t work out. Juventus seems to be the gift that keeps on giving to Grosso. She is flourishing there and is one of their key players. I think spending more time at Juventus will help her to develop. Given what we know about the mass exodus from Manchester City and the coaching debacle, I’d rather Grosso stay at a stable club where she can really show her impact.

MS: I’m with Laura, I am glad this didn’t work out. Grosso seems to be thriving with Juventus and has become a major player. I am not sure it would be of any benefit to her to move just yet. With Juventus, she can play regularly, something I am not sure she would immediately do at City. Grosso is still quite young and if she can spend the next year or so developing her skills more, she will have offers from multiple teams I’m sure. 

Adriana Leon on loan

LB: I firmly believe Leon needs more playing time. Clearly, she’s not getting that at United. I didn’t see her breaking into United’s starting XI, but I thought she would at least get playing time against lower clubs, like Sunderland. The fact that she has so little game time is a problem, especially in advance of the WC. I really wish she could have gone somewhere else for playing time this season. This might be the “failed transfer” that is the most disappointing. 

MS: It’s unfortunate that this loan didn’t go through. Leon is going to need more playing time than she is currently getting. When a sub isn’t even playing against lower-ranked teams, then it is time for a move. I have to agree with Laura that this is probably the most disappointing transfer. Hopefully, she will have a good performance at SBC this month to show what she can do and get some minutes at United.