Olivia Smith is a comparatively new identify on the Girls’s Tremendous League scene. Liverpool followers is perhaps acquainted, and those that comply with Sporting in Portugal may additionally be within the know. However, usually talking, this isn’t a participant with famous person standing. All that’s about to alter.
Olivia Smith. Keep in mind it. The Canadian ahead is about to grow to be probably the most talked-about participant on the circuit.
The 20-year-old, who solely turned skilled in 2023, has grow to be the primary feminine participant to command a switch charge of £1m, signing for Arsenal from Liverpool in a deal that lastly smashes by way of a extremely anticipated glass ceiling.
This can be a shift that may spark headlines. A milestone second for the ladies’s recreation, and a very long time within the making. Observers, fairly, will query why it is taken so lengthy to get right here, 46 years after Britain’s first £1m male footballer Trevor Francis was signed by Nottingham Forest.
However that inquest would solely detract from extra related and intriguing curiosities. Smith is just not (but) a family identify. She is just not synonymous with the Aitana Bonmatis or Sam Kerrs of this world. Her WSL profession is just one,578 minutes previous.
How and why, then, are Arsenal splashing a lot money to signal her? And is that this improvement a real game-changer? Sky Sports activities delves into Smith’s outstanding backstory and what the Gunners’ big-money transfer means for WSL rivals.
Who’s Smith?
Liverpool broke the financial institution to signal Smith, born and raised within the Canadian province of Ontario, from Sporting final summer time.
She had made her breakthrough in Portugal, scoring and helping on her Liga BPI debut earlier than occurring to contribute 13 targets in 18 appearances.
However the teenager was greater than a goalscorer. Fearless and uncooked, Smith was recognized as a ahead who may dribble, carry, create and help. She has power and tempo to burn. On the ball she is progressive, out of possession she presses and wins duels. What’s to not like?
Smith was Liverpool’s only ahead final season, excelling in most classes
Liverpool noticed a possibility. In July 2024, they parted with a club-record charge of £210,000 to deliver her to the WSL – and are recouping almost 5 occasions that determine simply 12 months later. Good enterprise.
Smith was one of many highlights of Liverpool’s in any other case underwhelming season. She shortly proved she was a participant for the massive moments, too, scoring within the win over Manchester United at Anfield and the downing of Arsenal within the FA Cup. One thing about that show clearly caught the attention. And she is going to solely enhance surrounded by higher gamers.
Arsenal’s energy play
Step apart, Chelsea. Arsenal are making strikes.
The importance of changing into the primary ladies’s crew to signal a participant for £1m shouldn’t be underestimated. That is about status and standing as a lot as it’s concerning the addition of a teen with world-class potential.
Maybe probably the most stunning factor about this breakthrough is much less the charge, or the participant commanding it (excessive potential prices massive cash), however the membership that is making it occur.
Smith scored seven league targets throughout her maiden WSL season, outperforming her xG by 2.6
Arsenal are making their intentions recognized. This can be a squeeze. A shakedown.
To beat Chelsea to the feat will please the membership’s board no finish. Domestically they’ve been within the shadows of their west London rivals for years now, permitting them to win six consecutive WSL titles whereas they racked up simply two League Cups. As achievements go, the 2 are incomparable.
However below Renee Slegers, Arsenal are emboldened. They dared to dream of one other European winner’s medal (nonetheless the one English membership to win the competitors) and truly did it. It is wonderful what a Champions League title can do for fame and rank. Such an announcement signing solely provides to their latest air of victory.
Arsenal unexpectedly beat Barcelona to the Champions League trophy final season
Chelsea’s market-changing January spend – to purchase Naomi Girma and Keira Walsh for a mixed whole of £1.29m – left golf equipment questioning how they’ll compete. That outlay represented 70 per cent of the English market and greater than 1 / 4 (28 per cent) of the cash spent globally in that window.
Arsenal are the primary to supply a real response. They need a correct seat on the desk.
Okay, so the place does Smith truly match?
Smith is flexible and may play as a central striker, No 10 or out huge. She fits Arsenal’s expansive model completely. Solely 4 WSL gamers tried extra pictures final season: Khadija Shaw (52), Frida Maanum (57), Elisabeth Terland (65) and Alessia Russo (73).
However her ball-carrying capacity is what’s most distinctive, and most enjoyable.
Arsenal create plenty of risk and overload in huge areas
Final season, solely Russo (21) recorded extra shot-ending carries than Smith (20), whereas she additionally ranked fifth for progressive ball carries amongst all forwards and wingers. Of the ten most prolific gamers for take-ons, she had the very best success price at 57.4 per cent.
And she or he is equally tough to dispossess – solely Viviane Asseyi (51) drew extra fouls than Smith’s whole of 46. Her 21 possessions received within the attacking third ranks seventh finest within the league.
And but, Smith poses an apparent dilemma to Slegers. To not point out the burden of a world-record charge on younger shoulders. A £1m price ticket is unquestionably undesirable for a comparatively inexperienced 20-year-old?
Smith (left) has signed for Arsenal alongside team-mate Taylor Hinds (proper) this summer time
Maybe extra burdensome for Slegers, although, is who Smith may displace. She performed 62 per cent of league minutes within the No 9 position final season however dislodging Russo is unlikely. Proper wing? Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead dominate there.
Such excessive funding stationed on the bench may pose an issue too.
Finally, if Arsenal wish to beat Chelsea to subsequent 12 months’s WSL crown, clearly, they want a depth of squad able to difficult on a number of fronts. Can this be the beginning of a mission to shut the hole on the prime? It actually helps. However do not be shocked to see champions Chelsea reply in sort.
