RANKED: The WSL’s best performing new recruits | OneFootball

The Women's Super League (WSL) season is already closing in on the halfway point with eight games already played and two more matchdays to go until the winter break.

Chelsea sit proud at the top of the standings with a 100 percent record following their latest victory over Manchester United. Manchester City are second, but already find themselves five points behind the current champions.

At the other end of the table, West Ham, Leicester City and Crystal Palace all sit on five points, with the latter occupying 12th on goal difference. However, the likes of Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Liverpool are no more than four points off the relegation zone.

Over 50 players moved or returned to the WSL this season from other leagues in England or abroad. As the final international break of the year is underway, 90min have ranked the top five newcomers this season.

5. Ayaka Yamashita

Manchester City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

Manchester City already have good goalkeeper depth as Khiara Keating claimed the numer one shirt last season. However, the arrival of Japan international Ayaka Yamashita from INAC Kobe Leonessa has strengthened them even further.The 29-year-old has provided some strong competition for places at City and Yamashita has made six appearances in the WSL this term. She has kept two clean sheets in that time and conceded just six, two of which came against a formidable Chelsea side before the international break.

4. Sandy Baltimore

Chelsea's Sandy Baltimore / Chloe Knott - Danehouse/GettyImages

France forward Sandy Baltimore signed for Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in July, yet the majority of her game time has come at left back due to their incredible depth in attacking areas. Despite playing out of position, she has already scored twice in the WSL this season against Tottenham and Arsenal.Her performances are keeping more traditional defenders, like Eve Perisset, out of the team and Chelsea have conceded just three times in the league this term.

Liverpool star Olivia Smith / Jess Hornby/GettyImages

Liverpool’s recruitment in the summer was minimal, but they did break their transfer record to sign Canada starlet Olivia Smith from Portuguese side Sporting CP. Since her arrival on Merseyside, the 20-year-old has already scored three goals across all competitions, including one at Anfield against Manchester City.The Reds have struggled this season in comparison to last, when they pipped Manchester United to a place in the top four, but Smith has been at the heart of everything positive for Matt Beard’s side. Her form, and fitness, remain crucial to a strong campaign for Liverpool.

2. Mariona Caldentey

Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey / Visionhaus/GettyImages

One of the most exciting arrivals in the WSL in the transfer window was Mariona Caldentey’s move from Barcelona. The Spain international departed the European champions on a free transfer following their quadruple-winning season and opted to join Arsenal.The 28-year-old has scored once and registered two goals across all competitions so far, but like the rest of the team, her form has picked up in recent weeks under interim manager Renee Slegers. If Arsenal are to retain their place in the top three, and progress into the Champions League knockouts, Caldentey could be key given her wealth of experience at the highest level.

Brighton forward Kiko Seike / Steve Bardens/GettyImages

Brighton, overall, have had an outstanding start to the season. They occupy third place, as things stand, and are just three points behind Manchester City in second.A managerial change in the summer and the arrivals of Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris have more than played their part in the Seagull’s early success, but Kiko Seike has been the standout new arrivals in the WSL.The Japan international is currently the joint third top scorer in the division after eight games, while only Guro Reiten and Khadija Shaw have scored more goals. Seike also completed a hat-trick on her WSL debut back in September, truly announcing herself in English football.