Sitting 11 points clear at the top of the WSL, Manchester City could not have hoped for much more at this point in the season.
The club’s first WSL trophy since 2016 is well within their reach but the £600,000 addition of United States midfielder Sam Coffey from Portland Thorns will give Andree Jeglertz’s side an extra boost going into the final eight games of the season.
“Coffey is a very shrewd signing,” said former City captain Houghton. “She has international experience and is a more defensive-minded midfielder, which City didn’t really have.”
Any faint hopes Chelsea had of overhauling City to claim a seventh straight title have not been helped by the lack of recruitment this month, although Houghton was not surprised.
“Chelsea have got a really good squad already,” she said. “They’ve built one for the future and have experienced players as well. It’s just at this moment in time they haven’t been performing to the expectations we have seen.”
After Sunday’s humiliating defeat by City, Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor indicated she had hoped for more January signings.
“I couldn’t believe that. She has the strongest team quality-wise when looking at depth and signings made,” former Scotland defender Beattie told BBC Women’s Football Weekly.
“I could not tell you what positions she is looking to fill. There are no gaps.”
Second-placed Manchester United, meanwhile, were active early on in the window, bringing in experienced Germany striker Lea Schuller, along with Sweden’s Hanna Lundkvist and Ellen Wangerheim.
“There’s been a lot of talk about where United want to take their women’s team and the signing of Lea Schuller is the answer – she is prolific,” Houghton said.
“Defensively, they’ve always been solid and now they’ve bought a really good all-round player to strengthen their forward line. They are right in the mix.”
Meanwhile, Champions Cup winners Arsenal have also added some young Swedish talent to their squad, with Smilla Holmberg the only new arrival in north London.
