At the Etihad Stadium on a tense Saturday afternoon, the Jamaican international needed only 12 minutes to remind the football world why the Manchester...
At the Etihad Stadium on a tense Saturday afternoon, the Jamaican international needed only 12 minutes to remind the football world why the Manchester City management must reconsider any thought of letting her depart in the upcoming transfer window. In a display of clinical precision and raw power, Shaw scored twice to seal a crucial victory, leaving the travelling supporters and the City hierarchy with much to ponder. The 27 year old striker, who has been the lion's share of City's attacking output this season, took her goal tally to 25 in the league, a figure that places her among the most formidable forwards in the women's game. The powers that be at Manchester City must now weigh the financial implications of holding onto a player of her calibre. With offers reportedly in the region of. ��1.6 billion (roughly £1 million) from European suitors, the club would be wise to consider the long term value she brings to the pitch. In the scheme of things, losing a player of Shaw's quality would be a blow not just to the team's title ambitions but also to the commercial appeal of the squad. The Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, would certainly understand the rarity of a striker who can turn a game on its head within minutes, and Shaw has proven time and again that she is made of the same resilient stuff. When the final whistle blew, the City faithful at the viewing centre in Surulere, Lagos, erupted in a chorus of cheers and heated debate. Some shouted that the club must keep her at all costs, while others argued that the money on offer could be used to rebuild the squad. One fan in a yellow Manchester City jersey stood up and declared that if the board allows Shaw to leave, they will be making the biggest mistake since letting the Super Eagles legend leave in 2014. The atmosphere was thick with passion, and every replay of her goals was met with a fresh round of clapping and head shaking. At the end of the day, the sense on the streets of Lagos is clear: Khadija Shaw is a player you simply do not let walk away.
