Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

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

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed 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 important matches arrive, the more you do them, 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 last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. 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 squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

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

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate a teammate often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

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 Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.