Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

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

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end 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 was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

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 (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.