Siobhan Chamberlain says Lauren James is ‘the most talented player’ she’s played with

“I think it’s a three-horse title race. Only one of those top three teams, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, can win it, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I don’t think Man United – after drawing three and losing two of their opening 10 – can be considered title contenders.

“Inconsistent is a word I think I could use to describe every WSL team so far this season. Arsenal, in particular, just haven’t been consistent enough. The defeat at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season and the defeat away at Tottenham before the break… you know, they win both of those two games, which they would’ve been favourites to do, and they’re sitting pretty at the top of the table.

“Kyra Cooney-Cross has impressed me as well. She didn’t really feature much at the start of the season, but she’s one of the names I mentioned at the start of the season; someone who I really wanted to see in this league. She looks like she’s really growing into an integral role in that Arsenal midfield, which is a really difficult midfield to get into, by the way.

“I said at the start of the season that if Lauren James got the game time, she’d be top scorer in the division, but I didn’t think she’d play. But, she’s played a lot of football so far. Emma Hayes has really trusted her and LJ is one of the most talented – if not the most talented – player I’ve ever played with, so it was only going to be a matter of time before she came into a team which revolved around her.”

Inconsistent Arsenal should be top… Cooney-Cross is growing into an integral role in their midfield

“Inconsistent is a word I think I could use to describe every WSL team so far this season. Arsenal, in particular, just haven’t been consistent enough. They’ve dropped points against teams which they should – on paper – be beating. The defeat at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season and the defeat away at Tottenham before the break… you know, they win both of those two games, which they would’ve been favourites to do, and they’re sitting pretty at the top of the table.

“But you can’t afford to drop points like that in this league, because there’s not enough teams and there’s not enough games.

“They’ve made a lot of signings and have a lot of players coming back from injury. Leah [Williamson] still isn’t back yet, Beth Mead has done really well since she’s come back in, but Vivianne Miedema hasn’t really featured much up to this point. Alessia Russo has been brilliant. There was a lot of pressure on that move, especially off the back of the World Cup. But she looks like she’s really enjoying her football, finding her feet and getting on well with her teammates.

“Kyra Cooney-Cross has impressed me as well. She didn’t really feature much at the start of the season, but she’s one of the names I mentioned at the start of the season; someone who I really wanted to see in this league. She looks like she’s really growing into an integral role in that Arsenal midfield, which is a really difficult midfield to get into, by the way.”

It’s a three-horse race but I can’t see anyone beating Chelsea to title

“I think it’s a three-horse title race. Only one of those top three teams, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, can win it, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I don’t think Man United – after drawing three and losing two of their opening 10 – can be considered title contenders. You don’t come back to win the title from that.

“I’ve got to stick with Chelsea for the title. You look at Man City in the men’s game and how they can sometimes falter a little bit in the first-half of the season, and then after Christmas they go on that charge… they know how to win, they know how to be ruthless, they’re well managed and they turn scrappy draws into wins and just get the job done… it’s the same with Emma Hayes and Chelsea. I just think that’s what’s going to happen in the second part of the season – they’re going to steadily ramp up the speed and get over the line.”

Lauren James is probably the most talented player I’ve ever played with…

“I said at the start of the season that if Lauren James got the game time, she’d be top scorer in the division, but I didn’t think she’d play. But, she’s played a lot of football so far. Emma Hayes has really trusted her and LJ is one of the most talented – if not the most talented – player I’ve ever played with, so it was only going to be a matter of time before she came into a team which revolved around her.

“I still think she’ll be up there in the race for the Golden Boot, but you’ve obviously got Bunny Shaw who is quietly going about her business right now, as are Manchester City. They really shot themselves in the foot losing to Brighton last month because – that result aside – they’ve been ticking along quietly. They’ve got good strength in depth, the two English wingers, and a decent level of consistency. They’ll certainly be in with a shout for the title come the end of the season if they can keep those players fit.”