Walsh hails Putellas move as proof WSL has become world's most attractive league

Keira Walsh has welcomed Alexia Putellas to the Women’s Super League as a landmark moment for English women’s football, describing the two-time Ballon d’Or winner’s arrival at London City Lionesses as proof that the WSL is now one of the world’s most attractive leagues.

Putellas joined London City this summer after 14 years at Barcelona, during which she won three Champions League titles. Walsh was her teammate for two of those triumphs, in 2023 and 2024, during the Chelsea midfielder’s three-year spell at the Catalan club.

“Alexia’s a big name but she’s definitely got all the talent to back that up,” Walsh said. “It’s really exciting to have one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world, in our league.”

Putellas is one of several high-profile arrivals in the WSL this summer. Georgia Stanway and Ona Batlle have joined Arsenal, while Mary Earps and Kadidiatou Diani have also signed for London City alongside the Spanish midfielder.

Walsh, who first played in the WSL at the age of 17 — twelve years ago — said the transformation of the league over that period has been stark. “It’s the biggest difference in the league now, from when I first joined — seeing all the top players coming from abroad and playing here,” she said. “It just shows where women’s football is at in England.”

The 29-year-old also pointed to the broader depth across the division as a sign of its maturity. “Every team has an unbelievable squad. Seeing that squad depth and squad quality across most teams has improved so much.”

Despite her admiration for her former Barcelona teammate, Walsh’s competitive focus remains squarely on Chelsea. The club is entering its first full season playing home matches at Stamford Bridge, and Walsh is determined to end Manchester City’s grip on the title after City ended Chelsea’s remarkable run of six consecutive WSL championships last season.

“The aim at Chelsea is always to win the WSL,” Walsh said. “Last year it went to City but the league was more competitive than it has been. Obviously I would have preferred for the trophy to have come back with us. We need to control games better this season.”