Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.