Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners 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, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot 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 selected in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

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

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, 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 high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. 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 agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 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 league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.