Manchester City took a daring step when they completely overhauled their financial strategy to secure Bunny Shaw as one of the highest‑paid women footballers on the planet. Adjusting an entire wage structure around a single player had previously seemed unimaginable, and many pundits doubted the club would have the courage to follow through. Initially, the executives at City hesitated, even contemplating walking away from their prized striker. Yet the reversal that followed could prove to be a defining moment for this generation of the club.
In most footballing contexts, allocating an outsized slice of the salary budget to a single individual would be viewed as risky, even divisive. Shaw, however, is not an ordinary talent.
She is virtually irreplaceable on every level of the game and is widely regarded as the finest player 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 secured her a historic third‑consecutive Golden Boot – a first in WSL history – and her scoring prowess formed the backbone of City’s league‑and‑cup double. While football is inherently a team sport and many teammates contributed significantly, Shaw’s influence was uniquely potent.
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 across the league. Manager Andree Jeglertz also received credit for unlocking new dimensions in Shaw’s game. The forward describes Jeglertz’s approach as "free football," contrasting it with the more rigid tactics of former boss Gareth Taylor. "Chemistry is the biggest thing," Shaw said while accepting her PFA award, emphasizing that her success is inseparable from the collective strength of the squad.
City’s depth has never been stronger, yet bookmakers still list them as second‑favourites behind Chelsea for the upcoming title race – a puzzling market assessment. The WSL landscape is buzzing with transfer news, and streaming options now allow fans to watch matches without a contract.
With Shaw in the mix, City unquestionably enters every season as a top contender. Chelsea even pursued Shaw aggressively before City finally matched the offer, tying the 29‑year‑old to the most lucrative contract in the club’s history.
Now that the deal is sealed, it is hard to imagine the shine of such a talented side fading quickly. Players themselves admit that it has taken time to internalise the habits of champions – behaviours that can only be cultivated through experience.
Nevertheless, underestimating their current force would be a mistake. Shaw’s injury‑free season allowed her to elevate every aspect of her play. Her movement became sharper, she discovered new blind‑side runs, and she learned to exploit a wider range of defensive weaknesses.
She also developed a knack for creating chances for teammates while still finding the back of the net herself. Her goal tally was just three short of City’s all‑time best, and her performances inspired those around her 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." This relentless self‑improvement mindset has become a hallmark of City’s new era.
The Jamaican international’s ambition is hard to satisfy. In a conversation before last season, she spoke about the potential she saw 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." City’s dominance was evident when they first topped the WSL on 9 November last year and never relinquished that position, entering February with an 11‑point lead over the nearest rival.
While it would be simplistic to assume that a repeat title is guaranteed solely because of recent history or Shaw’s prolific output, her contribution undeniably raises the club’s ceiling. The team’s success is a product of many players, yet no single individual could have forged the same legacy without Shaw’s brilliance. Her new contract, reported to be worth up to £1.6 million per year, represents an unprecedented investment for both City and its competitors. It signals a belief that a single season of triumph can be transformed into a sustained period of dominance, mirroring the model Chelsea built under Emma Hayes.
The club’s willingness to let Kerolin depart for Barcelona in a record sale this summer further underscores a new strategic confidence. City have already secured a proven winner in Beth Mead and retain a pool of promising young talent, giving Jeglertz a wealth of options.
By finally stepping out of the comfort zone that saw a decade‑long gap between their two WSL crowns, City appear ready to write the next chapter of their story. If the club maintains its commitment to boldness and courage, a new dynasty in women’s football could be on the horizon.
Fans can catch Manchester City’s season opener against Birmingham live on Sky Sports this Sunday at 2.30 pm, and there’s even a chance to win £1 million by entering the Super 6 competition for free.