Alisha Lehmann Trains with WSL Club as Switzerland Star Closes In on Return to England from Como

Leicester City Move Quickly as Alisha Lehmann Edges Closer to Women’s Super League Comeback

Alisha Lehmann looks set to write another chapter in her already well-travelled career, with the Switzerland international closing in on a high-profile return to the Women’s Super League. The 26-year-old forward was spotted training with Leicester City on Wednesday, a clear signal that her spell in Italy is coming to an early end and that English football is once again calling her back.

For Leicester, this is more than just another January signing. For Lehmann, it feels like a homecoming — to a league that helped shape her reputation, amplify her profile, and test her at the highest domestic level. With a potential debut against former club West Ham United already being discussed, the timing could hardly be more dramatic.

Lehmann Spotted at Belvoir Drive as Transfer Nears Completion

When Alisha Lehmann turned up at Belvoir Drive, Leicester City’s training base, it was the clearest indication yet that a deal is all but done. According to reports, she joined in with first-team training on Wednesday, integrating quickly with a squad that is eager to add experience and attacking spark for the second half of the season.

The move has been quietly progressing behind the scenes for around two weeks, and Lehmann’s presence on the training pitch suggests only the formalities remain. For Leicester, getting the deal wrapped up swiftly has been a priority, especially with key fixtures approaching that could shape their WSL campaign.

Speculation around Lehmann’s future intensified last weekend when she was left out of Como’s matchday squad for their goalless draw with Napoli. At the time, no injury was reported, prompting whispers that her absence was transfer-related. Those whispers have now turned into something much louder.

Lehmann only joined Como in August, signing a three-year contract after leaving Juventus, but the pull of the WSL — both professionally and personally — appears to have outweighed the appeal of continuing in Serie A.

Why Leicester City See Lehmann as a Statement Signing

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From Leicester’s point of view, this is a calculated and ambitious move. The Foxes currently sit ninth in the WSL, five points clear of bottom place, but far from comfortable. The league table may suggest some breathing room, yet those inside the club know how quickly momentum can shift in the women’s game.

Rather than waiting to be dragged into a relegation fight, Leicester have chosen to act early and decisively.

Lehmann is not the first experienced player to arrive this window. The club have already brought in Ashleigh Neville from Tottenham, Rachel Williams from Manchester United, and Sarah Mayling on loan from Aston Villa. Each signing points toward the same strategy: add players who know the league, understand pressure, and won’t shrink when the stakes rise.

Lehmann fits that brief perfectly. She offers pace, directness, versatility across the front line, and a personality that has been shaped by playing at big clubs and on big stages. For a side that has sometimes struggled to turn possession into clear chances, her ability to attack defenders one-on-one could prove invaluable.

Alisha Lehmann and the Pull of the Women’s Super League

For Lehmann herself, this move feels less like a step backwards and more like a return to familiar territory. England is where she truly became a household name in women’s football.

She first arrived in the WSL with West Ham United, where her performances and personality quickly made her one of the most recognisable players in the league. Spells at Everton and Aston Villa followed, each adding layers to her game and exposing her to different tactical environments.

The WSL suits her style. It is fast, physical, and increasingly unforgiving — a league where wingers and forwards are expected to work relentlessly without the ball while still producing moments of quality in the final third. Lehmann has always thrived in that environment.

Her brief time in Italy should not be viewed as a failure. Far from it. She was part of a Juventus squad that won the Serie A title in the 2024–25 season, gaining experience in a different football culture and adding a league title to her résumé. The move to Como that followed was seen as a chance to be a focal point of a growing project.

But football careers are rarely linear, and opportunities evolve. When the chance to return to the WSL emerged, it was one that clearly resonated.

Switzerland Star Brings Experience, Profile and Pressure

On the international stage, Lehmann remains a central figure for Switzerland, with more than 60 caps to her name. She is experienced, battle-hardened, and accustomed to the demands that come with representing her country at major tournaments.

Off the pitch, her influence is unmatched. With close to 16 million Instagram followers, Lehmann is the most-followed female footballer in the world. That global profile brings visibility and commercial value, but it also brings scrutiny.

Every move she makes is analysed, every performance magnified. Leicester are well aware of that, but they also understand the upside. Lehmann’s arrival puts the club firmly in the global conversation and reinforces the sense that Leicester are serious about establishing themselves as a stable WSL outfit.

Still, the football will matter most. Lehmann knows that visibility alone is not enough. At this stage of her career, consistent minutes, form, and impact are the real currency.

Immediate Impact Expected as West Ham Reunion Looms

If paperwork and registration are completed in time, Lehmann could make her Leicester debut this weekend — and not just against any opponent.

Leicester’s next fixture is against West Ham United, the very club where Lehmann first made her mark in England. The Hammers currently sit just below Leicester in the table, making the match a classic six-pointer with real significance at both ends.

From a narrative perspective, it is hard to script a better return. From a footballing one, it presents an immediate test. Lehmann will be expected to contribute straight away, whether through goals, assists, or simply by lifting the tempo and confidence of those around her.

Leicester manager and supporters alike will be hoping she can settle quickly. The fact she has already trained with the squad suggests there will be no easing-in period. This is a move designed for instant effect.

Finland v Switzerland: UEFA Womens EURO 2025 Group A

What Lehmann’s Return Means for Leicester’s Season

The WSL is unforgiving. Small margins, short runs of form, and injuries can dramatically alter a team’s trajectory. Leicester’s recent recruitment suggests a club that understands this reality and is acting accordingly.

Lehmann’s arrival is not about stardust alone. It is about experience, resilience, and belief. She has played in relegation battles before. She knows how demanding the league can be when results do not come easily.

If she finds rhythm quickly, Leicester could move away from danger altogether and start looking up the table rather than down. If not, the pressure will only grow — both on her shoulders and on a squad trying to stabilise.

A Familiar League, a New Chapter

As Alisha Lehmann prepares to officially complete her return to England from Como, the sense is that this move makes sense for everyone involved.

Leicester gain a proven WSL performer with international pedigree. Lehmann returns to a league that suits her game and a country where she feels comfortable. And the WSL regains one of its most recognisable figures at a time when visibility and quality continue to rise together.

Now, the focus shifts back to the pitch — where reputations are tested, not followed, and where Lehmann will once again be judged on what she produces between the lines.