Why are Australians thriving in WSL but not Premier League?
The Premier League used to feature a host of top Australians. Now there is just one player from the country in the competition, but it's a very different story in the WSL.
The Women's Super League (WSL) in England has attracted a significant number of Australian players, with 13 Australians currently playing across eight clubs, including three at Arsenal and three at Charlton Athletic. In contrast, the Premier League has only one Australian representative, Lucas Herrington. Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro attributes this difference to several factors.
He notes that many Australian men's players are staying in Australia due to the establishment of the men's professional league there in 2004, which has provided them with a stable career. Additionally, the growth of football in African and Asian countries has widened the pool of talent, leading clubs to look elsewhere. The introduction of the WSL second division may also have contributed to more female Australian footballers playing in England.
Montemurro further suggests that financial factors, including the significantly lower salaries in the Australian Women's Super League compared to the English Premier League, might be another reason for the shift in player choices.
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