Manchester City Women are the top-ranked club in the WSL power rankings as they prepare to defend their Barclays Women's Super League title. The champions ended Chelsea's six-year reign last season and have moved decisively to bolster their squad for the 2026-27 campaign.
According to a report from CBS Sports this week, Manchester City's position at the summit is justified by their recent success and significant summer business. The club has re-signed star striker Khadija "Bunny"Shaw to a new contract and added England internationals Beth Mead and Niamh Charles to their ranks."Bunny" Shaw with a new contract. Shaw's goals were instrumental in last season's success, and her continued presence provides a reliable source of attacking threat. The combination of new arrivals and retained stars creates a formidable attacking unit for the coming season.
What is the context for the new WSL season?
The 2026-27 Barclays Women's Super League season will feature an expanded format. The league has grown from 12 clubs to 14, increasing the total number of fixtures and presenting a new challenge for all teams, including the defending champions. This expansion underlines the growing depth and popularity of women's football in England.
Manchester City will need to navigate this longer campaign while also competing on other fronts. The increased squad depth provided by their summer signings will be tested as they aim to defend their title against strong rivals like Chelsea and Arsenal, who remain close behind in the power rankings. Fans can track the team's progress and player contributions through our stats section.
Where does the squad stand now?
With preseason preparations underway, the squad is taking shape. The integration of Mead and Charles will be a focus for manager Gareth Taylor and his coaching staff. The team's defensive solidity, which saw them concede fewer than a goal per game on average last term, will also need to be maintained.
The club's activity in the transfer market appears complete for now, with a balanced and talented group ready for the new challenges. Supporters can view the full roster on the official squad page. The first test of their title defence will come when the new WSL season kicks off, with Manchester City aiming to start as strongly as they finished last May.
