London City Lionesses explained: Michele Kang, Alexia Putellas and the pursuit of Champions League football

London City Lionesses are attempting to disrupt the established hierarchy of the Women's Super League with significant financial backing from owner Michele Kang. The club aims to secure Champions League qualification, a feat historically dominated by a small group of elite English clubs.
Why it matters
The influx of private equity and billionaire ownership in women's football is rapidly changing the competitive landscape and financial expectations of the sport.
London City Lionesses are the Women's Super League's great unknown. A club modest in size, with flashy budgets and ambitions well beyond what would reasonably be considered possible for a side only promoted to the top flight 12 months ago. <p>Their prospects for the upcoming season are therefore difficult to predict. Billionaire owner Michele Kang has been clear in her intent. She wants Champions League football and has enlisted a group of megastars from across Europe to help her do it.</p><p>But such a mission is far from straightforward. It's been 12 years since any side other than Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd finished inside the top three. Since the WSL's inception, in fact, only four clubs have ever won the title.</p><p>So, what makes London City Lionesses' bid any different?</p><widget id="5"></widget><ul><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/TransfersSkySportsApp">Transfer Centre LIVE!</a> | <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/36996/13208899/wsl-news-transfers-rumours-gossip-and-womens-football-latest">WSL latest news and transfers</a></strong></li><li><strong>Got Sky?
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