Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

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

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

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

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

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.