Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. 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. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally 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.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played 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 stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.