Gracie Prior credits Vivianne Miedema’s support for her development at Manchester City. Prior also praised Khadija Shaw. City is preparing to face Brighton, aiming to start their WSL campaign strong after a defeat to Chelsea.
Gracie Prior, the promising young defender for Manchester City Women, has expressed profound gratitude for the mentorship and encouragement she receives from teammate Vivianne Miedema. At just twenty years old, Prior's career trajectory took a significant leap as she secured a spot in City's starting lineup towards the end of the previous season. This momentum carried into the current Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign, where she started in the high-stakes opener against Chelsea last week.
In that pivotal match, Prior showcased her burgeoning talent, partnering with Jade Rose at the heart of City’s defense. While City displayed impressive form for extended periods, they ultimately succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat against the reigning champions. Despite the result, Prior’s performance offered a glimpse into her potential and solidified her place in the squad.
Miedema, a seasoned veteran at 29, stands as a towering figure in the WSL. Her remarkable achievements include being the league's all-time leading goalscorer with an astounding 87 goals. Furthermore, she holds the distinction of having the fourth-most assists in the competition's history, with 36. Miedema's experience and prowess make her an invaluable asset to Manchester City, both on and off the field.
Prior relishes the opportunity to face Miedema regularly in training sessions, which she sees as a crucial learning experience. She enthusiastically acknowledges the Dutch international's profound impact on her development, not only during training but also in matches. Prior emphasizes that Miedema's influence extends far beyond her on-field contributions.
"I think she’s just so good on the ball, off the ball, she scores goals," Prior shared with Stats Perform. "I just think she’s such a good player and it’s tough getting to her in training, but she’s one of the best. I think she always helps the young ones on the pitch, always giving us advice, encouraging us. I think she’s so helpful to me specifically. I think she’s really helped me out."
Hugs with @VivianneMiedema pic.twitter.com/Dy1KcFpjMn
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) September 8, 2025
Prior also spoke highly of Khadija Shaw. The City forward has directly contributed to 76 goals in 72 WSL games (62 goals, 14 assists).
Among players to have scored at least 50 goals in the competition, no player boasts a better minutes-per-goal ratio than Shaw (81.8), though she failed to find the net at Chelsea.
Prior didn't limit her praise to Miedema; she also lauded the qualities of Khadija Shaw, another key player in the Manchester City squad. Shaw's prolific goal-scoring record speaks for itself, as she has directly contributed to an impressive 76 goals in just 72 WSL games, comprising 62 goals and 14 assists. Her clinical finishing and ability to create opportunities make her a constant threat to opposing defenses.
Prior continued, "She’s so good. She’s just so unpredictable, really strong," Prior added of Shaw, who has won the WSL Golden Boot in each of the last two seasons: "She’s probably one of the toughest players to play against. She’s one of the best in the world."
Looking ahead, Manchester City is gearing up to face Brighton in their upcoming match on Friday. The team is determined to kickstart their WSL campaign and secure a vital victory. Following the Brighton clash, City will travel to face Tottenham a week later, aiming to build momentum and climb up the league table. With the guidance of experienced players like Miedema and the talent of rising stars like Prior, Manchester City is poised for a successful season.