Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

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

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes 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 whole day was just being so calm, like we knew 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 must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

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

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.