Man City not keeping Shaw would be a big mistake, especially if he joins Chelsea

Manchester City The Women’s Super League (WSL) may have been won for the first time in a decade, but they potentially let the Golden Boot winner score one of the greatest own goals in the game’s history. Khadija “Bani” Sh Left on a free transfer – perhaps a direct rival.

City won the title a day after Arsenal drew 1-1 with Brighton. Sources told ESPN Shaw is set to leave the club at the end of the season following a breakdown in contract talks. And ChelseaThey are favorites to pen, having their six-year title winning streak snapped jamaica Striker’s signature.

At one stage, City were confident that Shaw would remain at the club he once envisioned retiring from; He loves the team, the city and the new manager Andre Zeglrz. And his intention was always to stay. In fact, he was close to signing a new deal in March before talks stalled. Sources told ESPN that the initial offer from City was much lower than the 29-year-old expected and significantly lower than what rivals were offering.

As negotiations progressed, it became increasingly clear that City would struggle to compete financially. Sources say Chelsea have offered wages worth at least £1 million per year, but they have offered longer contracts — a factor in Shaw’s concern that he is nearing the end of his career — and the Blues’ willingness to hand over a 4 1/2-year contract has become a major attraction for other elite players in recent years.

There has been serious interest from the show NWSLTime to be ambitious and well financed London City Lioness They are believed to have submitted a contract offer of their own to him. But in the end, despite Shaw’s desire to stay, City couldn’t get a deal over the line and his exit now looks inevitable.

There are obvious reasons why City are hesitant to match the kind of money Chelsea are offering. Shaw has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and missed significant chunks of the campaign, while paying a player £1million a year would put huge pressure on a wage structure which sources previously told ESPN was already rising by around 40% year-on-year.

Yet none of this fully justifies letting the best striker in women’s football leave for nothing. From both a sporting and commercial perspective, failing to retain Shaw is a disastrous outcome.

Financially, Chelsea’s reported offer would be roughly half what Manchester City men’s striker Erling Haaland is estimated to earn in a month — a stark comparison — and that makes it hard to understand their reluctance to not match expectations on such a significant number.

Shaw has been at the heart of their title-winning campaign, scoring 19 of City’s 58 league goals and is on course for a third consecutive Golden Boot, and losing a player of that caliber so soon after winning the title (and before the Champions League returns to the new league stage) could significantly disrupt City’s bid to make a new run.

So what will they do next? Sources have told ESPN that City are beginning to explore options as Shaw’s departure becomes more likely. Signed with Manchester United Elizabeth Terland24, an option, while United are said to be open to offers ESPN previously reported That Chelsea striker Mayra Ramirez attracted interest from Real Madrid And, if Shaw does come to London, it could open the door to a move for the city Columbia international

Another route would be to establish absolute trust Australia ahead Mary FowlerWhile adding a young rotation option, but this approach risks leaving City without the elite focal point that has defined their attack, especially with the growing demands of European football.

The reality is that Shaw is irreplaceable. Few strikers in the world combine his clinical finishing, creativity, physical presence and technical ability. He can score with either foot, dominate the sky and create chances out of nothing — qualities almost impossible to replicate in a single player.

And problems in the transfer market only add to City’s replacement challenge Elite forwards are in short supply, many are locked into long-term contracts, and release clauses continue to inflate. This lack helps explain why Chelsea moved so aggressively and early to sign Shaw, even at 29 years old.

According to sources, Shaw’s pursuit of Chelsea began months ago under former general manager Paul Green before his departure in February, with new women’s sporting director Phil Radley continuing negotiations. A number of clubs have expressed interest, but Chelsea’s financial package and long-term vision stand out.

Chelsea have lacked something up front this season — as a result of which they were off the pace for the title in the WSL and failed to reach the Champions League semi-finals — and they have scored just 43 goals in the league, compared to 56 and 71 in the past two seasons. They did, however, claim the League Cup to boost spirits and face City in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.

The club have been desperate for an attacking focal point, having struggled all season without a clear presence in the box. Ramirez has been out all campaign with injury, USWNT striker Caterina Macario Missed several spells before leaving the club for the San Diego Wave in March, when Aggie Beaver-Jones He also struggled with fitness.

Meanwhile, Sam Kerr — who has been Chelsea’s top scorer this week — could also leave the club when his contract expires in the summer. He’s been managing his minutes all season after returning from a 22-month absence following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but at age 32, he’s not as strong as he once was.

So landing one of the world’s best forwards on a free transfer from a direct rival would represent extraordinary business for Chelsea, especially amid a tumultuous period off the pitch following Green’s departure, poor form from last term’s “Invincibles” and an extremely disappointing season for the men’s team.

For City, however, Shaw’s imminent departure overshadowed what should have been an unqualified celebration. Their first WSL title in a decade now brings with it the sobering reality that they will soon have to rebuild without one of the key players who powered them there.