Man City face uncertain WSL season after summer of upheaval and disappointment

When Manchester City ended last season on a high, not many supporters would have anticipated the summer of upheaval and uncertainty that was waiting round the corner.

After a difficult start to the campaign Gareth Taylor's side found form from February onwards, winning 13 consecutive games in all competitions to win the FA Women's League Cup, reach the final of the Women's FA Cup and secure Champions League football with a third-place finish in the Women's Super League.

Little did anyone know that as a host of City's stars went off to represent their countries at Euro 2022, many of them had played their final games in sky blue.

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Since the end of last summer eight players have left the club, six of whom are among the biggest names in women's football.

Georgia Stanway was the first big name to depart, her free transfer to Bayern Munich announced two days after City lost 3-2 to Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Fellow England teammate Lucy Bronze - Ballon d'Or Feminin runner-up in 2019 - and Scottish attacker Caroline Weir soon followed, joining Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively upon the expiration of their City contracts.

In July attentions diverted to the international scene as the Lionesses won England's first major tournament since 1966, but in the weeks that followed both Ellen White and Jill Scott announced their retirements from football.

Veteran goalkeeper Karen Bardsley also retired while reserve keeper Karima Taieb joined Marseille, but the biggest blow came on transfer deadline day. After rejecting two previous bids, City agreed to sell Keira Walsh to Barcelona for a fee worth around £400,000, a new world record