West Ham 2022/23 WSL season preview: How to watch, summer transfers & league prediction
West Ham are among a number of mid-table WSL clubs looking to break into the next bracket this season, following in the footsteps of what Tottenham managed to do in 2021/22.
It is a tall order for any club in an increasingly competitive league but all eyes will be on the WSL in the wake of a successful Euro 2022 and now is the time to shine.
How will the Hammers fare this term? Here's 90min's WSL 2022/23 WSL season preview for West Ham.
How to watch West Ham Women on TV
West Ham Women key players 2022/23
Star player
Dagny Brynjarsdottir brings experience, tenacity and goals to this West Ham squad. The 31-year-old Iceland international has been with the Hammers for 18 months and has previously played with the likes of Bayern Munich and Portland Thorns. She also now has more than a century of caps for her country and West Ham's top scorer in the WSL last season.
A combative midfielder, Brynjarsdottir is a master at breaking up play and disrupting the opposition's flow. She's tidy in possession too, and struck up a good understanding with the now departed Yui Hasegawa last term. Standing at 1.8m, she is a towering presence and a huge aerial threat from set pieces.
One to watch
New arrival Izzy Atkinson could be a very exciting addition to the squad. The 21-year-old Republic of Ireland international has moved south of the border from Scotland, sufficiently impressing during just 15 months at Celtic to earn her move to the WSL.
Upon her arrival, manager Paul Konchesky commented on her eagerness to learn, having immediately impressed in training.
West Ham Women manager
The aforementioned Paul Konchesky is embarking on his first season as a manager. The former Liverpool, Fulham and West Ham left-back had been a coach at the club's youth setup since 2017 before joining former boss Olli Harder's staff at the start of last season.
When Harder - who appeared to be really building something at West Ham - left suddenly on the final day of the 2021/22 season, Konchesky was promoted to the top job.
West Ham Women summer transfers
In
- Jessica Ziu (MF) - Shelbourne - details
- Halle Houssein (MF) - Arsenal - details
- Lisa Evans (MF) - Arsenal - details
- Kirsty Smith (DF) - Man Utd
- Izzy Atkinson (DF) - Celtic
- Sophie Hillyerd (GK) - Charlton
- Alex Hennessy (FW) - Arsenal
- Keira Flannery (MF) - Arsenal
- Viviane Asseyi (FW) - Bayern Munich
- Thea Kyvag (FW) - LSK Kvinner
- Honoka Hayashi (MF) - AIK Fotboll
Out
- Gilly Flaherty (DF) - Liverpool
- Katerina Svitkova (MF) - Chelsea - details
- Anna Leat (GK) - Aston Villa
- Zaneta Wyne (MF) - Racing Louisville
- Lois Joel (DF) - London City Lionesses
- Emily Moore (GK) - released
- Adriana Leon (FW) - Man Utd - details
- Tameka Yallop (MF) - SK Brann
- Grace Garrard (MF) - Watford - loan
- Yui Hasegawa (MF) - Man City - details
West Ham were dealt a deadline day blow when the instrumental Yui Hasegawa moved to Manchester City, and regular starters Katerina Svitkova and Adriana Leon have also departed. But there is reason for some optimism regarding the incomings, including the permanent acquisition of Lisa Evans from Arsenal following last season's loan, while Viviane Asseyi is a real statement signing from Bayern Munich. Youngster Jessica Zui was unveiled back in March, and recently impressed for the Republic of Ireland as they reached the World Cup playoffs for the first time.
West Ham Women WSL history
West Ham were granted a WSL license for the newly restructured and fully professional top flight in 2018, bypassing the second tier completely. The Hammers also reached the FA Cup final in their first year as a WSL club, but found themselves in a relegation battle during the 2020/21 campaign, before landing a top half finish last season.
2018/19: 7th
2019/20: 8th
2020/21: 9th
2021/22: 6th
West Ham WSL prediction
The middle portion of the WSL table is pretty fluid, with around five clubs capable of finishing anywhere between 6th and 10th depending on how it goes. The Hammers are firmly part of the group but may struggle to match last season's top half finish just because of the stiff competition.
It all depends on how quickly Paul Konchesky beds in as manager - but given he was promoted from assistant boss there should be some continuity from last season's successful side.