Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

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

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, 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 tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall 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. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams 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 very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted 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 their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, 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 watching her was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.