Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware 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."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

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

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.