Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored 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 named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion 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 trusted 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 they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK 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 few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. 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 say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.