UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/2024: Players to watch

Here are four key players to keep an eye on during the 2023/2024 UEFA Women's Champions League. 

UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/2024

What:	UEFA Women's Champions League 23/24
Where:	Final: San Mamés, Spain
When:	6th September 2023 – 25th May 2024
How to Watch:	DAZN, TNT Sports

Sam Kerr - Chelsea

Age:	30
Position:	Striker
Team:	Chelsea FC and Australia National Team
Honours:	FA Women's Super League (4), FA Women’s League Cup (2), Runner-up (1), FA Women’s Community Shield (1), UEFA Women’s Champions League Runner-up (1). Ballon d'Or Feminin 3rd Place (2), Runner-Up (1), PFA Australian Women's Footballer of the Year (5), NWSL Golden Boot (3), FA Women's Super League Golden Boot (2).
Senior International Caps:	128

As a pivotal player for Chelsea Women and the Australian national team, Sam Kerr’s presence on the pitch is synonymous with brilliance and goals aplenty. Kerr is considered one of the best strikers in the world and it is no surprise, as she is the all-time leading top scorer for the Australian national team and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States.

Chelsea began their home fixtures in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage with a 4-1 victory over Paris FC at Stamford Bridge and Kerr’s ability to find the back of the net was unparalleled, as she scored a hat trick to put Chelsea’s first win on the board in Group D.

Kerr’s versatility and adaptability is what has set her apart as a leading goal scorer in the tournament already, with four goals in two matches and also contributing three goals and three assists in seven Women’s Super League (WSL) matches. 

In elite pressure environments such as the Champions League, Kerr’s composure and record of delivering in these crucial moments is apparent and integral to Chelsea’s performance as a team. 

Chelsea have three group stage match days remaining, with table leaders Hacken this Thursday and Kerr will be looking to extend her goal tally, as the tournament top goal scorer favourite at 7/4.

Aitana Bonmati - Barcelona

Age:	25
Position:	Midfielder
Team:	Barcelona FC and Spain National Team
Honours:	Primera Division (4), UEFA Women’s Champions League (2), Copa de la Reina (5), Supercopa de Espana (3), Copa Catalunya (4), FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Runner-up (1), UEFA Women’s U17 Championship (1), Runner-up (1), UEFA Women’s U19 Championship (1), Runner-up (1), FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Runner-up (1), FIFA Women’s World Cup (1), Cyprus Cup (1). Ballon d'Or Feminin (1), FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball (1), UEFA Women's Player of the Year (1).
Senior International Caps:	59

Barcelona and Spanish national team star player Aitana Bonmati is certainly a player to keep an eye on this tournament, as this year’s Ballon d’Or winner continues to orchestrate and dominate the midfield.

Bonmati’s decision making, technical flair and ability to dictate play has been instrumental in Barcelona’s success in the Primera Division this season, with 10 wins from 11 matches played, Bonmati contributing five goals and four assists. 

In Champions League action, Bonmati has been showcasing her ability with two goals from two games, both coming against Portuguese side Benfica.

The Spanish midfielder is 9/1 to be the tournament top goalscorer.

Salma Paralluelo - Barcelona

Age:	20
Position:	Left Winger
Team:	Barcelona FC and Spain National Team
Honours:	FIFA Women’s World Cup (1), FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup (1), FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup (1), Primera Division (1), Supercopa de Espana (1), UEFA Women’s Champions League (1). Ballon d'Or Feminin 3rd Place (1), FIFA Women's World Cup Young Player Award (1)
Senior International Caps:	18

Another Barcelona key player and one to watch in this competition is 20-year-old Salma Paralluelo. 

The winger already boasts a plethora of honours and achievements both for club and country and will have her eyes set on a second successive Champions League title with Barcelona. 

In the six matches Paralluelo’s played for the Liga F side this season, she has netted six goals with one assist and has followed suite in the Champions League, with two goals in two matches. 

The Spanish forward finished third in the rankings for this year’s Ballon d’Or after teammate Aitana Bonmati secured the prestigious trophy and she is the youngest player to date to make the podium. 

The youngster is 9/2 to disrupt the tournament and secure topgoalscorer, with Barcelona the favourites to win outright at 4/7.

Kadidiatou Diani - Olympique Lyon

Age:	28
Position:	Forward
Team:	Olympique Lyonnais Feminin FC and France National Team
Honours:	Division 1 Feminine (1), Coupe de France Feminine (2) SheBelieves Cup (1). Division 1 Feminine Player of the Year (1), FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Boot (1).
Senior International Caps:	90

Established French forward, Kadidiatou Diani, has netted in both of her outings in the Champions League this season for French giants Olympique Lyonnais Feminin, continuing her league form of three goals and seven assists in the Division 1 Feminine this season.

Diani picked up the Silver Boot at the Women’s World Cup in 2023 and will have her focus set on winning an individual honours at this year’s Champions League, with the forward priced at 7/1 to win top goalscorer of the tournament.