Guardian writers’ predicted position: 4th (NB: this is not necessarily Suzanne Wrack’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 6th

Prospects

Trying to figure out what London City will look like this season, or where they will finish, is nigh on impossible. Eight players have come in as the owner, Michele Kang, bids to continue her drive towards the top of the Women’s Super League and there are some superstars in that group, among them the two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.

The WSL debutants finished a respectable sixth last season, but were 22 points adrift of the top three. Evidence suggests Kang will be ruthless if the team do not meet her expectations – despite a strong start to the 2025-26 campaign, Jocelyn Prêcheur was sacked as manager shortly before Christmas and replaced by Eder Maestre.

Wholesale changes to teams hoping to break into the top three have proved costly in the past. The hope will be that the level of the players coming in will help London City develop into a side capable of securing Champions League football and challenging for the league. What is clear is that Kang’s spending and ambition is playing a big role in bringing some of the biggest players in the world to the WSL. Mapi León said of her: “Everything counts when you make this kind of a decision, and of course, she was an important part because seeing another woman doing so much to help women’s sports and women’s football grow, I think it’s impossible not to value that. I think it’s something very powerful.”

Off-field picture

London City’s accounts for 2024-25 showed an operating loss of £10.6m and the effect of their big spending before their first season in the WSL, and even bigger spending this summer, will show in future filings. The 2024-25 loss was more than 10 times their £902,000 revenue in that period. Critically, there is a need to grow the fanbase and, with no men’s club supporter pool to draw from, London City will have to be inventive.

The manager

Maestre was appointed in January having previously managed UD Tenerife in Liga F, guiding them to sixth. Maestre’s contract runs until 2028, but he cannot rest on that given Kang’s high expectations. The 42-year-old has shifted the way London City play and a host of new signings could prove fruitful in his system.

Star signing

Mary Earps, León and Kadidiatou Diani have arrived from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Lyonnes respectively, but it is the recruitment of Putellas that has rocked the WSL. The 32-year-old spent 14 years at Barcelona, helping them to the top of the women’s game, in the process becoming a talismanic figure. Putellas is far from past her prime and had the pick of clubs worldwide when deciding to leave Spain. Her recruitment was a statement of intent from Kang.

Stat attack

London City made more Opta-defined defensive errors that led to goals and conceded more penalties than any other team in the WSL last season. Elene Lete saved one penalty and the players in front of the 24-year-old goalkeeper need to make her life easier.

Set for a breakthrough

Superstars have come through the door this summer, meaning Nicole Anyomi is one that has slipped under the radar and could go on to make a big impression. Anyomi is a little bit of an unknown to UK audiences having played all her club football in Germany. The forward scored 60 goals in 130 games for Frankfurt in five years. She also has four goals in 34 games for Germany.

What they say

“I’m going to bring to the project whatever the project needs from me, so I’m 100% committed. I’m hungry to win, to be better day after day, to fight with my teammates for the victory” – Putellas

Where are they playing their home games?

Hayes Lane in Bromley is far from an ideal ground for such an ambitious club given the 5,150 capacity. The medium- to long-term goal is to upsize, but space for a ground in and around London is limited. Before any move, however, London City need to increase their fanbase.

• On Friday 4 September at 1pm Suzanne Wrack will be answering readers’ questions about the new WSL season for Guardian Conversations