Manchester City displayed remarkable audacity when they chose to overhaul their financial framework in order to secure Bunny Shaw as one of the highest‑paid women footballers on the planet. Restructuring an entire wage structure around a single player was once considered impossible, and many pundits doubted the club would have the nerve to attempt it. Initially, the executives at City hesitated and even seemed ready to abandon their prized striker, but a decisive reversal soon followed, setting the stage for what could become a defining period in the club's history.
In most professional environments, allocating a disproportionate share of the payroll to one individual would be seen as reckless, perhaps even divisive. Yet Shaw is not an ordinary player; she is a once‑in‑a‑generation talent, irreplaceable on every tactical level, and arguably the finest forward the Women's Super League (WSL) has ever produced. Last season, Shaw netted an astonishing 27 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City.
Her 21 league goals earned her a historic third consecutive WSL Golden Boot, cementing her status as the competition's most lethal scorer and forming the backbone of City's league‑and‑cup double. While football is inherently a team sport and many teammates contributed significantly, no one matched Shaw's impact.
Her personal accolades peaked when she was named PFA Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons, a testament to the respect she commands from peers on both sides of the pitch. Manager Andree Jeglertz also deserves credit for unlocking new dimensions in Shaw's game. The forward describes the shift in playing style under Jeglertz as "free football," a stark contrast to the more rigid system employed by former manager Gareth Taylor. "Chemistry is the biggest thing," Shaw said while accepting her PFA award, highlighting how the collective environment amplifies individual brilliance.
City’s squad depth has never been stronger, yet the market still lists them as second‑favourites behind Chelsea for the upcoming title race—a puzzling assessment given their recent dominance. The WSL landscape is buzzing with news and transfer activity, and fans can stream matches without a contract. With Shaw anchoring a team of such quality, City rightfully enters each season as a top contender.
Chelsea even attempted to lure Shaw before City finally matched their ambition with the most lucrative contract in the club’s history for the 29‑year‑old. Now that the deal is sealed, it is hard to imagine the team's brilliance fading quickly. Players themselves admit that becoming a champion requires time to internalise winning habits—behaviours that can only be cultivated through experience. Shaw, who has remained injury‑free, embodies the new aura of authority surrounding the squad.
Every aspect of her game improved last season: her movement became sharper, she discovered new blind‑side runs, exploited opponent weaknesses, and developed the ability to both create and finish chances. Her goal tally fell just three short of City’s all‑time record, and her performances inspired teammates to raise their own standards. "I keep driving my personal standards because over the years I've noticed it rub off on everyone else," Shaw explained after receiving the PFA trophy.
"The girls say I'm hard on myself, but I want to be better and help the team achieve the highest of highs." Keeping Shaw satisfied is a challenge, as illustrated by a conversation she had on the eve of last season. She spoke about the potential she sees 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." That confidence translated into results; City topped the WSL on 9 November and never relinquished the lead, eventually finishing the campaign 11 points clear of the nearest rival. Predicting another title solely on recent history or Shaw’s output would be overly simplistic. Football is a collective effort, and City’s dominance cannot be credited to one player alone, no matter how extraordinary she is.
Nonetheless, the reported £1.6 million‑per‑year contract for Shaw is a landmark investment for both City and their rivals, signalling the club’s intention to transform a single season of triumph into a sustained era of dominance—mirroring the blueprint Chelsea followed under Emma Hayes. The club’s willingness to sell Kerolin to Barcelona for a record fee this summer further illustrates a new strategic fortitude.
In response, City have already secured Beth Mead, a proven winner, and retained a deep pool of young talent in reserve. Jeglertz now has a menu of options, allowing him to rotate players without sacrificing quality. By finally stepping out of the comfort zone that saw a ten‑year gap between their two previous WSL crowns, City appear ready to embark on an exciting new chapter.
With bold financial commitments, a visionary manager, and a player of Shaw’s calibre leading the charge, the foundations are in place for what could become a new dynasty in women’s football. Fans can catch Manchester City’s season opener against Birmingham live on Sky Sports at 2.30 pm on Sunday, and there’s even a chance to win £1 million in the Super 6 competition, entry free of charge.