It must be acknowledged that Chinese women's football is currently at its lowest point, with overseas players struggling to make an impact, except for Li Mengwen, who has limited playing time as a substitute. Even Wang Shuang, a key player, found herself on the bench at Tottenham Hotspur Women. However, Wang Shuang's abilities are still strong; it was an early-season injury that cost her her place in the team.
Tottenham Hotspur Women have shown interest in Chinese female players, but they have also been a stumbling block for them. Tang Jiali, for instance, failed to gain recognition at Tottenham and became a substitute, with limited appearances mainly towards the end of matches. At the end of the season, Tang Jiali requested to leave, and Tottenham did not even attempt to retain her symbolically.
After Tang Jiali's departure, Zhang Linyan joined Tottenham Hotspur Women, coming with the accolade of being the best player in the Swiss Women's Super League. However, like Tang Jiali, she too longed for playing time in vain and eventually returned to Wuhan Jiangda Women's Football Team. Back at Wuhan, Zhang Linyan regained her high level of play, earning the bronze boot award this season.
Not only Chinese players have faced challenges; South Korean player Zhao Zhaohuan also struggled to become a regular at Tottenham before moving to a Championship team. The third player to join Tottenham Hotspur Women was Wang Shuang, who is arguably the most famous Chinese female footballer in recent years and a former Asian Footballer of the Year. Despite this, Tottenham did not offer her many opportunities, with only seven appearances last season, one of which was a start.
Wang Shuang's situation led many to advise her to leave the Premier League, but the stubborn Wang Shuang insisted she would not accept failure and was determined to make a name for herself in the league before leaving with her head held high. An early-season injury this year even cost her the substitute position, with Australian player Raso taking over the midfield spot at Tottenham, making Wang Shuang's chances of playing seem increasingly remote. However, given just one opportunity, Wang Shuang would surely seize it.
In the League Cup match, Wang Shuang finally got the chance she had been waiting for. Tottenham Hotspur Women faced Crystal Palace Women from the first division and were unable to break through in the first half. As the League Cup is less important than the Premier League and FA Cup, many main players did not participate. The first half ended in a 0-0 draw, prompting the Tottenham coach to bring on Wang Shuang to change the game's momentum. In the second half, Wang Shuang made her debut for the new season.
Wang Shuang's excellent dribbling skills, control of the game's rhythm, and good overall perspective made her feel at ease in midfield and brought order to Tottenham's chaotic midfield. Tottenham quickly took control of the game, dominating Crystal Palace. In the 50th and 71st minutes, Riabchenko and Dennis scored, securing Tottenham Hotspur Women's 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace and their place in the League Cup quarter-finals. The Tottenham coach excitedly punched the air on the sidelines, exclaiming, "Well done!"
For fans of Chinese women's football, it must be said from the heart: Wang Shuang's entry into the game is a game-changer; nothing is impossible!