LAUREN HEMP hopes to avoid an “edge of the seat” finish when Manchester City battle for next season’s WSL crown.And the forward, 23, is backing Vivianne Miedema to be a massive addition for City, just like her Dutch compatriot Jill Roord.Lauren Hemp hopes Man City can see off their rivals in the race for next season’s WSL titleCredit: GettyLast month the WSL side made former Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema their first signing in this summer’s transfer windowCredit: PAMan City boss Gareth Taylor has reinforced his attacking options by signing 20-year-old Japan forward Aoba FujinoIn seven weeks and two days, Hemp and her team-mates begin their push for a second Women’s Super League title for City when the WSL returns. Her side, who were runners-up last season, will battle to become champions with their last triumph occurring eight years ago. After the disappointment of being pipped by Chelsea due to goal difference, Hemp is hungry to see Man City come out on top next year.The Lioness, who signed a three-year contract extension in April, said: “We’re hoping to not make it edge of the seat towards the end of the season and hopefully get the job done.Read More Football Stories “We’ve seen over the last few years how much the women’s games has grown – especially the WSL.”It’s going from strength to strength each year and I’m very excited about the prospect of the title race”We’ve seen in recent years how it always comes down to the wire.”But it’s what you want to be involved in and I’m excited for whatever happens this season.”Most read in FootballThis summer’s transfer window has seen an array of talents join clubs across the top two tiers of women’s football.Players such as Spain forward Mariona Caldentey and England full-back Lucy Bronze have swapped Barcelona for moves to Arsenal and title holders Chelsea.And Man United boosted their attacking options by signing Norway striker Elisabeth Terland, who finished as last term’s third highest WSL scorer with 13 goals in 22 games. City have pulled off some major swoops of their own this summer. New additions include defender Risa Shimizu who joined from West Ham before suffering a knee injury during Japan’s 2-1 loss to Spain at the Paris Olympics on July 26. Today the club also strengthened their attacking ranks by signing Shimizu’s Japan team-mate Aoba Fujino. Memorable goals for the ex-Tokyo Verdy Beleza starlet include a stunning angled strike against Spain when Japan beat them 4-0 in the World Cup group stage last July. But arguably the biggest signing for City this summer is Miedema. The prolific forward joined as a free agent after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season after seven years.The 28-year-old. signed on a three-year deal last month, is currently the WSL’s all-time leading scorer. And her move follows a couple of injury-disrupted seasons. Jill has been a massive player in our squad and hopefully Viv will be the same.Lauren Hemp on Vivianne MiedemaLast October Miedema made her long-awaited return to action after rupturing a knee ligament in December 2022. And in March the Netherlands ace underwent a minor knee operation which kept her out of match action for several weeks. However Miedema, who started in three of the nine WSL games she played in last term, netted on her final Arsenal appearance in May – a 5-0 defeat of Bristol. In the seven years she has played in England following a move from Bayern Munich, Miedema has scored 125 goals in 172 Gunners appearances.A season-opening clash between Arsenal and Man City could see her battle her old side at the Emirates on September 22. And Hemp is confident the player, whose compatriots Roord and Kerstin Casperij, have impressed for City, will also make her mark. She adds: “She’s a great signing and I’ve looked up to her for quite a long time in my career. “She went on to do amazing things for Arsenal.”Having her in the squad is exciting and everyone’s looking forward to that. “I’m glad we got the signing in over the line and hopefully she’ll bring a lot to the team. “Her fellow Dutchy in Jill has been a massive player in our squad and hopefully Viv will do the same.”This summer Hemp has been spending time in her home town of North Walsham. One Tuesday she was spotted watching her former club Norwich City play Wroxham Women, and posed for pictures with fans following the Canaries’ 5-0 win. Football aside, Hemp recently made a brief return to the cricket field in July. The England forward is backing the ‘Everyone In campaign’ led by KP Snacks to encourage people to get more active by taking up the sport.During her years as a Norwich City youth player, Hemp juggled playing football alongside cricket for Norfolk Women.At 16, the WSL star faced a tough choice on which sport to pursue.She opted to join Bristol City in 2016 after eight years with Norwich, including one season playing for the club’s elite boys’ team. Hemp said: “I was heavily involved in the England youth set-up with football.”It was probably around the time when I was deciding where I was going to continue playing football. “That ended up being at Bristol, when I moved home and went to college when I was about 16.“It was around then I realised I can’t do both. In the summer, I’d play a lot of cricket and in the winter, it’d be more to do football.”I love both sports and it was a hard decision at the time. But I’m very grateful that I ended up choosing to play football.”Last month Hemp took part in a cricket training session for children in ManchesterLast month Hemp, whose pals include Manchester Originals wicket keeper and batter Ellie Threkeld, took part in a cricket masterclass for children.The session at Cheetham Hill Sports Club, Manchester, was hosted by KP Snacks’ prior to the start of The Hundred. Games taking place this month as part of the 100-ball cricket contest include Manchester Originals’ clash with the Northern Superchargers. Both sides will go toe-to-toe at Headingley in Leeds this Sunday.Hemp adds: “I seem to watch a lot of matches whether that be tests or T20 games, which are on TV on SkyREAD MORE SUN STORIES “I’ve stuck it on while I’ve got free time in the afternoon.”This includes Ellie and the girls from the Manchester Originals. I like to see them do well.”Hemp’s pal Ellie Threkeld (pictured centre-left), also took part in the training session held as part of a campaign to promote The HundredThe Hundred – Women’s FixturesSaturday 3 August 11:00 – Birmingham Phoenix vs Southern Brave (Edgbaston) 14:30 – Trent Rockets vs Welsh Fire (Trent Bridge) Sunday 4 August 11:00 – London Spirit vs Ovals Invincibles (Lords) 14:30 – Northern Superchargers vs Manchester Originals (Headingley)Monday 5 August 15:00 – Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave (Sophia Gardens)Tuesday 6 August 11:30 – Manchester Originals vs Oval Invincibles (Emirates, Old Trafford) 15:00 – Birmingham Phoenix vs Northern Superchargers (Edgbaston) Wednesday 7 August15:00 – Trent Rockets vs London Spirit (Trent Bridge) Thursday 8 August 11:30 – Welsh Fire vs Northern Superchargers (Sophia Gardens) 15:00 – Oval Invincibles vs Southern Brave (The Oval) Friday 9 August 15:00 – London Spirit vs Manchester Originals (Lords) Saturday 10 August 11:00 – Southern Brave vs Trent Rockets (Utilita Bowl) 14:30 – Welsh Fire vs Birmingham Phoenix (Sophia Gardens)Sunday 11 August 11:00 – Oval Invincibles vs London Spirit (The Oval) 14:30 – Manchester Originals vs Northern Superchargers (Emirates Old Trafford) Monday 12 August15:00 Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets (Edgbaston)Tuesday 13 August 15:00 – Northern Superchargers vs London Spirit (Headingley) Wednesday 14 August 11:30 – Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire (Utilita) 15:00 – Trent Rocket vs Oval Invincibles (Trent Bridge) Thursday 15 August 15:00 – Birmingham Phoenix vs Manchester Originals (Edgbaston) Sunday 18 August 14:15 – Final (Lords) More
