Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

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

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

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

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players 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 very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the 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 in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.