How do you improve upon a team that won the league without losing a single game? You sign the best player in the world, of course.
That’s exactly what Manchester City Women have done, landing the current Fifa Women’s Player of the Year, Carli Lloyd, ahead of the 2017 season.
World Cup winner ??
2 Times FIFA Women’s Player of the Year ??
Double Olympic Gold Champion ??Welcome @CarliLloyd! ?? #WelcomeCarli #mcwfc pic.twitter.com/B9vH5Oj2E6
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) February 15, 2017
Manchester City won the Women’s Super League as well as the Continental Cup last year, while Lloyd captained the reigning World Cup winning US team – pretty intimidating stuff.
The 34-year-old midfielder has enjoyed time at numerous different US clubs, including most recently Houston Dash, and was a Fifa Puskas Award nominee in 2015 for her stunning 50-yard effort in the World Cup final.
In fact, she’s got a fair few decent goals in her.
Flashback to when Carli Lloyd scored this majestical goal pic.twitter.com/23k9WWj9Q0
— FBL ?? (@FOOTBALRLIFE) February 4, 2017
She’ll join City training in March and will play a part in their league, FA Cup and Champions League campaigns. It’s fair to say the signing has got the fans and players alike talking.
Man City finally have the best player in the world playing for them.
They just signed Carli Lloyd.
Congrats @ManCityWomen!— Spencer FC (@SpencerOwen) February 15, 2017
What a signing @CarliLloyd is for @ManCityWomen excited to see what she brings to the WSL! ??
— Rachael Laws (@RachLaws1) February 15, 2017
Is it the biggest transfer in women’s football history?
Covered women's football 8 years. Think @CarliLloyd to City is the biggest transfer that I've seen in that time. Its huge for the @FAWSL.
— Kieran Theivam (@KiersTheivam) February 15, 2017
Meanwhile, the calibre of player City will be signing is difficult not to get giddy about.
Looks like @ManCityWomen are set to sign a double Olympic Gold Medallist & World Player of the Year!
Welcome to Manchester @CarliLloyd! pic.twitter.com/GIoD5JtHx4
— BlueMoonRisingTV (@BMRisingTV) February 15, 2017
Upon her move to the English champions, Lloyd said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Manchester City, a club which is leading the development of women’s football both on and off the pitch.
“Having played in the US throughout my career, the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition to test myself in a new footballing environment, as well as playing in the Champions League, is something I am relishing”.
It’s certainly an exciting development, but with City running away with the league last year, is there any hope for the teams around them in 2017?
Man City signed Carli Lloyd ffs. Just give them the trophies already
— James Wyatt (@jameswyatt3212) February 15, 2017
This fan’s reaction says it all.
Wow Manchester women's have signed Carli Lloyd! ??What a signing. Even the women's team are buying the league! ??
— Alex (@_alexthfc) February 15, 2017
It would be an impressive achievement if anyone can prevent them defending their title this season.