Bristol City full-back Jemma Purfield is leading the way in terms of defensive blocks in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League so far this season.
The 23-year-old Beverley-born defender joined The Robins over the summer after leaving Liverpool and she is quickly becoming a top performer at Twerton Park.
Despite Bristol City having played a game less than their Barclays FA Women’s Super League rivals due to the postponement of their fixture against Aston Villa last weekend, defender Purfield has made more defensive blocks than any other player in the entire division. Her record of 18 blocks is two better than Bristol City teammate Jas Matthews while she has made four more blocks than West Ham United full-back Maz Pacheco who has contributed 14.
In total, Purfield has accounted for 26.09% of Bristol City’s 69 blocks this season, only Brighton & Hove Albion (82), Birmingham City (75) and Tottenham Hotspur (74) have performed more than The Robins so far with all of those clubs having played an additional game.
Purfield has managed 15 more blocks in three games with Bristol City this season than in her two league appearances for former club Liverpool last term. She has also intercepted the ball double the amount of times this season (four) while Purfield’s successful clearances tally of 14 is a figure that has increased 250% from 2019/2020.
With the player having only made a handful of league appearances for former club Liverpool, one could be forgiven for questioning the kind of impact that Purfield would make at new club Bristol City. What Purfield has already shown is that she is a dependable member of The Robins’ back-line and she could be set for an impressive first season at Twerton Park.
Statistics: FBREF
About The Author
