Always the bridesmaid. Manchester City have been Women's Super League runners-up seven times since 2015, more than all other WSL teams combined. They have made that rather undesirable position somewhat of a speciality. Enter Vivianne Miedema - the player tasked with changing all that.

Targeted as the missing piece to Man City's title-winning puzzle, it's hoped the Dutch star can prove to be the difference-maker as Gareth Taylor's side bid to go one better than last season's inevitable second-place finish.

Miedema had a second knee surgery earlier this year after a devastating ACL rupture and is still getting back up to full speed, but has been a delight to watch in pre-season, showing glimpses of the Miedema of old.

It's no secret that Arsenal's former leading lady - she signed for Man City upon the expiry of her contract this summer - scores goals by the bucket load. She is the WSL's most prolific goal getter, netting 80 times in 106 appearances, hugely outperforming her 59.63 xG and averaging a goal every 102 minutes.

She has won multiple Golden Boots. She has hit the back of the net 95 times in 115 caps for the Netherlands. For context, that's 45 more goals than male counterpart and Dutch record holder Robin van Persie.

Miedema was a prodigy. She was offered her first professional contract at 14 years of age. Her full senior debut came less than a year later, playing for Heerenveen, in a campaign where she scored 10 goals despite finishing bottom of the Vrouwen Eredivisie.

Considered one of those generational types, she's so influential that writers in her native Holland have created a comic book series based on her achievements entitled Vivianne Voetbalt.

And yet, despite such historic award and acclaim, this season feels like a pivotal one in the plight of a player who has spoken candidly about losing her love for football during an arduous road to recovery from two knee surgeries. Admittedly her struggle to reach the same heights is steeper than most.

The 28-year-old started just eight league games over the past two WSL seasons, before leaving the Gunners on a free transfer. The move to a direct WSL rival - she turned down approaches from abroad to stay in England - may have left a bitter taste in the mouth of those that once adored her in red and white, but Miedema insists she's found "a new appreciation for football". And that she was intent on avoiding the "easy option".