Will Jutta Rantala’s streak continue? These Finns are chasing success in the English Super League | Sport

Football’s English Super League starts on Friday. The series is definitely one of the toughest women’s soccer series.

12 teams play in the league. Last season’s top three were Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal. The weakest in the series, last season Bristol City, drops below the league level.

Five Finns play in the Super League.

In this article, Urheilu’s expert Essi Sainio evaluates the role and status of Finnish players in their clubs and the clubs’ expectations of success.

Jutta Rantala, Leicester

Jutta Rantala’s story the opening season at Leicester last season turned out to be excellent. The Finnish striker was the top scorer of tenth-placed Leicester with six hits and also provided the most assists, five. He was chosen as the best player of his team.

– Juta had a pretty good season. He rushed there, scored a lot of goals and made himself known for being able to shoot with both feet, Sainio stated.

According to Sainio, the 24-year-old Rantala now has coaches in both the national team and the club team who can see in which role he is at his best.

– He has previously missed few minutes in the national team and in his club team in Sweden he was not in the playing position where he should have been. The result came as soon as he was given the opportunity and playing time and he got to play in his characteristic position in an attacking role.

Sainio predicts that Leicester can surprise many teams in the starting season.

– Leicester could be a dark horse this season, a bit unpredictable. I strongly believe that Leicester can surprise quite a few teams with their good press. Rantala bears great responsibility for Leicester’s scoring.

Eveliina Summanen, Tottenham

Transferred to Tottenham in January 2022 Eveliina Summanen are key players in their team.

– Eveliina is a very, very steady player. The basic level is so high that even if it’s a bad day, he can still be a visible character on the field, Sainio praises.

– He does a lot of the same things in Tottenham, which is not necessarily visible to the fans. Like Juta, he has an excellent shot, which he is able to use especially on the left side. He is a hard bone, which suits England’s pitches perfectly.

Sainio believes that the 26-year-old Summanen will also play a big role in the starting season in Tottenham, who were sixth in the league last season.

Olga Ahtinen, Tottenham

He also plays for Tottenham Olga Ahtinenwho hasn’t gotten as big a role as Summanen. Ahtinen plays with Summanen in the midfield when he can play. However, the playing minutes were slightly less last season.

– Olga is a very intelligent player and is also able to guide others, Sainio describes.

– He is perhaps at such a stage in his career that his great potential has not reached its full extent yet. But there is absolutely no concern that he won’t be able to live up to everyone’s expectations and potential.

27-year-old Ahtinen scored a goal in a practice game a week ago.

According to Sainio, Tottenham’s rise to fourth or fifth place would require a key season. Breaking into the top three is really, really difficult. Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal dominate the series strongly. Chelsea has won five previous championships.

Milla-Maj Majasaari, Crystal Palace

Keeper Milla-Maj Majasaari transferred from Anderlecht of the Belgian league to the ranks of the promotion Crystal Palace in the summer after minor bureaucratic problems. Crystal Palace is predicted to be at the tail end of the series.

Access to the Superliiga is, in any case, a dream come true for the 24-year-old Majasaari. Crystal Palace also has its advantages as a club in terms of Majasaari.

– The training conditions seem to be in good shape. There is good goalkeeper coaching. When he gets to play, Majasaari will definitely take big development steps, Sainio is confident.

– Let’s say that if he gets to play, he will get a lot of defensive work.

Oona Siren, West Ham

The latest news came Oona Siren transfer from Norway Lilleström to the ranks of West Ham. West Ham was 11th in the series last season, i.e. last to last.

– A very interesting move. It came as a bit of a surprise to me, but I’m happy for Oona, Sainio stated.

Sainio’s expectations for the 23-year-old Siren are similar to those for Majasaari.

– I wish Oona big minutes, but above all, the best possible training conditions and, through that, development and that will carry over to Helmari.

Will the Chelsea union continue?

Sainio also tells his own prediction about which of the three big clubs will celebrate the championship at the end of the season.

– It has to be said just because of Arsenal’s goal Vivianne Miedeman it goes without saying that Arsenal is not quite at the top in my opinion. I bet Chelsea might well (their new head coach) By Sonia Bompastor in the lead to pull out one more championship.

Dutch star player Miedema will play in Manchester City this season.

– If you look at Chelsea’s team, and when you add to that Lucy Bronzewhich was applied for in Barcelona, ​​it’s a pretty big statement that there is another championship applied for there.