Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, 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. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.