Shaw can be best in the world, says teammate

LONDON, England (CMC):

England international Alex Greenwood has praised the all-round abilities of Manchester City teammate Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and believes that the high-profile Jamaica international can become the best player in the world.

The 26-year-old Shaw has emerged as the focal point of City Women’s squad since signing with the north England giants two years ago and last season, banged in 31 goals in all competitions to be the club’s leading scorer.

Last weekend, Shaw netted her first goals of the new Women’s Super League season with a double against Bristol City, adding to her goal against Everton earlier that week against Everton in the FA Women’s League Cup.

“Her goal record speaks for itself, but Bunny is so much more than goals,” said the 30-year-old centre back Greenwood.

“What she brings to the team in terms of play, her work off the ball, and off the pitch – she is a top person.

“I think she can be the best in the world if she wants to be. She has all the attributes to be the best in the world. I know how hard she works in training.”

She continued: “It’s the reason she’s flourishing right now. She has been really strong for us, so we just need to keep feeding her, keep giving her the ball and the rest she’ll take care of.

“She’s a great person to be around and a really good friend of mine as well. She is someone I can demand really high standards of, and likewise, she can of me and everyone else.”

Shaw signed her first professional contract with Bordeaux in 2019, scoring 34 goals during a two-year spell and winning the Golden Boot while also helping the French club qualify for the Champions League.

The six-footer moved to City in the summer of 2021 and made an impact with 16 goals to be the club’s second highest goal scorer in her first season as they won the FA Women’s League Cup.

Installed as City’s point striker following the retirement of veteran Ellen White, Shaw shone with 24 goals in the league last term to break the club’s record for the most WSL goals in a single season.

“I’m super proud of Bunny, and all the players are. She understands the support and help she gets here to allow her to be herself,” said City manager Gareth Taylor.

“I think what she has done is remarkable, really – to go from the first game of the season scoring and not really have a dry spell at all, maybe a couple of games.”

He continued: “She has continued to score goals. She’s certainly a proven goalscorer, but it’s the types of goals she’s getting now and everything else she brings to us in the games.

“Her hold-up play is phenomenal.”

City travel to the King Power Stadium tomorrow to face Leicester City.