Manchester City took a daring step when they overhauled their wage structure to make Bunny Shaw one of the highest‑paid women footballers on the planet. Re‑engineering an entire salary framework around a single player had previously seemed unimaginable, and many pundits doubted the club would have the courage to follow through.
Initially, the decision‑makers at City appeared to waver, even flirting with the idea of letting their star striker walk away. The subsequent reversal – a firm commitment to keep Shaw on a record‑breaking contract – could prove to be a defining moment for this generation of the club. In most football environments, allocating such a large slice of the payroll to one individual would be viewed as risky, even divisive. Yet Shaw is not an ordinary player.
She is irreplaceable on every level – a forward whose technical ability, intelligence and consistency place her at the very pinnacle of the Women’s Super League (WSL). Last season Shaw netted 27 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City. Her 21 league goals earned her a historic third consecutive Golden Boot, a feat no other player in the competition has ever achieved.
Those goals formed the backbone of City’s league‑and‑cup double, and they underscored why the club was prepared to rewrite its financial playbook. While football is always a collective effort, Shaw’s impact was unmistakable. Individual recognition in the women’s game peaks with the PFA Player of the Year award, and Shaw claimed that honour for the second time in three seasons, cementing the respect of teammates and opponents alike. Manager Andree Jeglertz also earned plaudits for unlocking a new level of performance in Shaw.
The forward describes the change as "free football", a term that captures the shift from the more rigid tactics of former boss Gareth Taylor to the fluid, attacking style that Jeglertz now favours. "Chemistry is the biggest thing," Shaw said while accepting her PFA trophy, highlighting how the surrounding squad amplifies her brilliance. City’s squad depth has never been stronger, yet the market still rates them as second‑favourites behind Chelsea for the upcoming title chase – a curious calculation given the talent on display.
The presence of Shaw, combined with a roster that blends experienced internationals with emerging prospects, makes City a genuine contender before the first whistle even blows. Chelsea’s earlier attempts to lure Shaw away only underline her value. The Blues were eager to secure the 29‑year‑old, but City ultimately offered a contract that eclipses any previous deal in the club’s history, ensuring she remains at the heart of their ambitions.
Since re‑signing, Shaw has remained injury‑free and has continued to evolve her game. Her movement is sharper, she exploits blind‑spots in defenses more effectively, and she has developed a keen eye for creating chances for teammates as well as finishing herself. Last season she fell just three goals short of City’s all‑time league record, and her relentless standards have inspired those around her to raise their own levels.
"I keep driving my personal standards because over the years I've noticed it rub off on everyone else," she explained after receiving the PFA award. "The girls say I'm hard on myself, but I want to be better and help the team achieve the highest of highs." Shaw, a Jamaican international, has spoken openly about the potential she sees in City under Jeglertz. "If we can get it right on the pitch, we can be deadly. We can be unstoppable if we focus on the fine details the manager wants," she said on the eve of last season.
That confidence was rewarded when City seized the top spot in the WSL on 9 November and never looked back, building an 11‑point lead by February. It would be simplistic to assume that City will automatically repeat as champions solely because of Shaw’s brilliance.
The club’s success rests on a mosaic of contributions: a solid defence, creative midfield, and a bench that can change the complexion of a game at any moment. Nevertheless, the reported £1.6 million‑per‑year contract for Shaw signals a level of investment and belief rarely seen in women’s football. It mirrors the strategic spending that propelled Chelsea to dominance under Emma Hayes. The summer departure of Kerolin to Barcelona for a record fee, coupled with the acquisition of England star Beth Mead and a pipeline of promising young talent, demonstrates City’s willingness to refresh the squad while maintaining a winning core.
Jeglertz now has a wealth of options, allowing him to fine‑tune tactics and keep the team ahead of rivals. After a decade of waiting between their first two WSL titles, City appear ready to break the pattern. By committing substantial resources to retain their marquee forward and by surrounding her with a balanced, high‑quality roster, the club is positioning itself to launch a new dynasty in English women’s football. Fans can catch the season opener against Birmingham on Sky Sports at 2.30 pm on Sunday, and the excitement surrounding Shaw and her teammates suggests that the most thrilling chapter of Manchester City’s women’s story may just be beginning.