Man City's future looks bright - and Shaw's role is key

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Khadija Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 WSL matches for Manchester City this season [Getty Images]

Manchester City's domestic double is the start of what they hope will be a hugely successful period for the club - and Khadija Shaw is at the centre of it.

For weeks, Shaw's name has dominated the news with her future looking certain to be away from City.

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However, on Monday, in front of 19,000 fans at the club's celebratory parade, the 29-year-old announced a shock u-turn, and her decision to sign a new four-year deal.

Those supporters screamed with happiness at the Co-op Live arena, and shirts bearing her name on the back swarmed Wembley Way before Sunday's Women's FA Cup final.

She proved why her signature was the club's most important piece of business this summer by scoring the opening goal in their 4-0 win over Brighton and later assisting Aoba Fujino for City's third.

Their FA Cup win - a first since 2020 - came three weeks after City ended rivals Chelsea's six-year stranglehold on the Women's Super League title.

It was another sign of their desire for continued success, which manager Andree Jeglertz emphasised afterwards. If they are to achieve that, they need Shaw.

"First of all, it's amazing that she thinks our programme is the best way to become a better football player and that this is the right place to win titles," said Jeglertz.

"We're happy for that and there should be great credit to the people that were involved in making it happen.

"We have Bunny Shaw in our team and we play a certain way to get the best out of her, to put her in these [goalscoring] situations.

"She's staying and that is what we want to keep doing with her."

Shaw 'has been so professional'

Khadija Shaw's five FA Cup goals this season made her joint top scorer alongside Chelsea's Sam Kerr [Getty Images]

Shaw said after the victory at Wembley that she had been "a bit nervous" about announcing her new deal.

Fans had been through an emotional rollercoaster about her leaving, with Chelsea poised to take advantage.

But after a long season, in which Shaw scooped up several individual accolades including the WSL Player of the Year and Golden Boot, she relished getting her hands on another piece of silverware.

"To get the double is a good feeling," Shaw said. "I've always said that Manchester is my home. It took a while, but we finally got [the contract agreement] done."

At Wembley, her opener was crucial, coming after Brighton had dominated the first 30 minutes and with City struggling to get a foothold.

One moment - a cross into Shaw in the 38th minute - changed the game as the Jamaica striker rose highest to loop a header past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

That killed Brighton's momentum and captain Alex Greenwood's strike just before half-time gave City a commanding lead.

Jeglertz agreed Shaw's goal gave his side "relief" and her assist for Fujino in the second half put City out of sight. A final goal from substitute Vivianne Miedema confirmed victory.

Despite the noise over the past month, Shaw has remained their standout performer. She was important in the final, was the matchwinner in the semi-finals and finished the WSL season with a double on final day to reach 21 goals in 22 matches.

"I'm very impressed with how she handled that [speculation]," said Jeglertz. "She has never showed any mood that has affected her performance.

"Of course, she knows about the writings. But at the same time, she has been so professional, always performed and always been a good person."

Can City 'evolve' in the future?

The challenge now for City is to build on their strong foundations and deliver silverware on a regular basis.

"Winning the WSL was big for the club but it was one thing being able to win the title, and then just a couple of weeks later to win another title," said Jeglertz.

"We want to keep having this hunger and dedication to want more and not to be pleased. That will be very important thing for us to not think that anything can be taken for granted. We need to keep this for the next level."

City have dominated domestically this year but have been able to do so without the distractions of Champions League football.

Their squad depth, which has improved over recent seasons, has depth and youthful talent, but is yet to be fully tested.

Former City striker Ellen White believes the club need to be proactive in order to build the dynasty they crave.

"Manchester City want to be dominant on all fronts so they have to keep evolving. They have to get more players in," White told TNT Sports. "They've tasted [success] now - and will want to be back here next season.

"It has been a long wait for them to win this, their 10th trophy since going professional in 2014. That is no mean feat. But they need to keep evolving, progressing and finding consistency."

Ex-England forward Sue Smith echoed that sentiment, saying next season provides a "different test" for Jeglertz and his squad.

"They have been able to focus domestically but now have to balance European football and utilise the squad. They will have to adapt," Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"That's where they want to be - testing themselves against the best teams."

[BBC]

Listen to Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie on the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed

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