Why a move to Manchester City can kickstart Vivianne Miedema’s comeback
A controversial switch, but Manchester City could be just what Vivianne Miedema needs, and she's up against her former club at the start of the new WSL season
Football
Moving to a rival club isn’t exactly an anomaly in women’s football, but Vivianne Miedema to Manchester City was quite a shock for many fans.
Since her arrival in the English Women’s Super League seven years ago, she had become synonymous with Arsenal.
It was at the London club where she became the league’s all-time top scorer, helping them to the WSL title and a handful of Conti Cup trophies.
But after struggling to get back to her best following an ACL injury, the club decided not to extend her contract, allowing her to leave on a free transfer.
Controversially for some, a new adventure would await at league rivals City.
After a tough two seasons, could this move be the catalyst for Miedema getting back to her best?
Can Vivianne Miedema get back to her best at new club Manchester City?
Miedema & City: Matching ambitions
Switching to a league rival came easier than expected for Miedema, who feels aligned with her new club.
A bona fide winner, she believes she is joining a club that has matched her ambitions and shown a real desire to win the league and other titles.
“I had to prioritise myself in this decision and for some people, it will be hard to understand,” she told the media while on international duty with the Netherlands.
Her choice effectively came down to two things: the kind of football her perspective club would play, and being happy on the pitch.
“After considering and thinking for a long, long time, I just felt like City ticked both those boxes and I’m just really excited to be part of a team that shares the same ambition as me.”
Her arrival bodes well for City too, who are looking for their first piece of silverware since 2022, when they won the Conti Cup.
But their sites will be eyeing something bigger, namely the WSL, which they narrowly missed out on last season as a result of goal difference.
What better way to prevent that from happening again than to sign the one player who has broken records for the goals she has scored in this league?
It seems like an ideal match for club and player – the two seem completely in sync.
Vivianne Miedema: Settling into her new surroundings
Gareth Taylor has been known to get the best out of his attacking players.
Last season in the WSL, his preferred front three combined for 53 goals and assists between them, with City’s total tally coming to 61.
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was the Golden Boot winner netting 21 times (three assists), while wingers Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly scored 11 and five respectively, registering a further eight and five assists.
Taylor is biting at the bit to get Miedema involved in this, showing his appreciation for the qualities she will bring to his side.
“She’s a box of frogs at times,” he told Sky Sports.
“She can be a challenge, but what you do have is a highly talented player who still has the best years in front of her.
“She creates things from nothing and we all know about her scoring ability – she’s one of those players that coaches in the game admire.”
As the league’s all-time top scorer, there is an air of excitement about the prospect of Miedema linking up with Shaw, who herself is a prolific striker in front of goal.
According to goalkeeper Khiara Keating, the pair could be “dangerous” together.
“The link-up between her [Miedema] and Bunny is so dangerous, I see it in training,” she said.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing that in the league – they will score so many goals and that’ll equal happy days.”
Having a coach who believes in you goes a long way as a player, which Taylor has so evidently displayed regarding the Dutch addition.
Miedema and her new team-mates kick off their WSL campaign on Sunday (22 September) against – coincidently enough – Arsenal.