England star Lauren Hemp rates Man City front three compared to WSL rivals

Lauren Hemp believes Manchester City have the firepower to match anyone in the Women's Super League.

Hemp along with fellow England teammate Chloe Kelly and prolific number nine Khadija Shaw, have lifted City up the WSL table, after they endured a difficult start. Gareth Taylor's team began the campaign with back-to-back defeats to Aston Villa and Chelsea but have since recovered, with Shaw firing eight goals along the way to become the league's joint top goalscorer.

Hemp spent on the month on the sidelines after picking up an injury sustained on international duty, with Julie Blakstad filling in as a wide forward. But the England star returned to the starting XI in the Manchester derby against local rivals United earlier this month and completed 90 minutes.

As she looks ahead to the WSL's return after the Christmas break, Hemp believes City's front three, along with the likes of Blakstad, Hayley Raso and Mary Fowler, give her team an attacking dimension most would envy.

"I'd like to say we can be the best in the league," said Hemp. "Chloe (Kelly) and Bunny (Khadija Shaw) are both fantastic players. I really think all of our wingers and forward players are incredible.

"I am lucky to play with them and be a part of this, we've got real synergy. It is great to have players like that who I can always count on.

"I always know if I put a decent ball in the box that Bunny is going to get her head on it. In high pressure situations, I'd always back her to score, it just seems like everything she touches at the moment will go in.

"Obviously, Chloe is fantastic as well. I always try and get into the box when the ball is on her side, I know her crosses are always going to find me if I make a run.

"It is great for me to play with incredible players like that, and hopefully as an attack we can push on in the second half of the season.

"We've got so many trophies up for grabs, we're right in the title race and there's the FA Cup and the Conti Cup. I'm looking forward to all of it and just growing as a player."

City did lose a senior attacker last summer, when England legend Ellen White retired following the European Championships. It means City now have a front three with an average age of just 23.

With Jill Scott also retiring and the likes Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh leaving the club, City need new leaders this season. But Hemp believes she is now becoming one of the senior members of the dressing room, despite having just turned 22 a few months back.

"It almost feels strange but I'm (now) one of the more experienced players here," added Hemp. "I feel more confident in this environment, and every day I think I'm becoming more vocal and speaking to teammates on the pitch more.

"We'll see where that gets me, who knows what happens in the future. But I'm not going to count myself as next in line for captaincy just yet!"

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