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Alisha Lehmann (Footballer)
Alisha Debora Lehmann, born on January 21, 1999, is a prominent figure in the world of professional football, hailing from Switzerland. Known for her dynamic prowess as a forward, Alisha Lehmann currently showcases her skills with Serie A powerhouse Juventus and is a key player for the Switzerland national team. Her journey to success began at a young age, marked by her early tenure with BSC YB Frauen in Switzerland’s Nationalliga A, where she honed her talents before making waves internationally.
Alisha Lehmann’s career transcends borders, having also made impactful stints in the competitive environment of the FA Women’s Super League (WSL) in England. Her time at West Ham United, Everton, and Aston Villa solidified her reputation as a versatile and lethal attacker. With each club, she left an indelible mark, contributing crucial goals and performances that endeared her to fans and colleagues alike.
Beyond her on-field achievements, Alisha Lehmann’s journey is a testament to resilience and dedication in pursuit of excellence. Her ability to adapt and thrive in different footballing cultures underscores her adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement. As she continues to evolve at Juventus, Lehmann remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring footballers worldwide, embodying the spirit of determination and passion that defines the beautiful game.
Tägertschi, Switzerland
| Alisha Debora Lehmann | |
| 21 January 1999 | |
| Date of Birth | 21 January 1999 |
| Birth Place | Tägertschi, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Switzerland |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Dates joined | 2008 |
| Position | Forward |
Club Career
Alisha Lehmann began her football journey at age nine with FC Konolfingen, where she played from 2008 to 2011. She joined the U14 BSC YB team at age 12 and trained with the U13 to U15 boys’ teams three times a week, also playing in two matches with the male junior teams.
At age 17, Lehmann started her senior professional career with Swiss club BSC YB Frauen. In her first season, she scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win against FC Staad and was the top scorer for her team with nine goals. During her time at the club, she scored 25 goals in 52 league appearances.
West Ham United
In August 2018, newly professional FA Women’s Super League club West Ham United signed Lehmann from BSC YB Frauen after being impressed by her performances at the 2018 U-19 European Championship. Alisha Lehmann scored both goals in a 2–1 win over Reading on February 20, 2019. In April 2019, West Ham extended Lehmann’s contract after she scored nine goals in 30 appearances and helped the club reach the FA Cup final by scoring the equalizing goal in the semi-final against Reading.
Alisha Lehmann scored in the 75th minute against Reading on November 3, 2019, helping her team advance to the knockout stage of the 2019–20 Conti Cup. On January 19, 2020, she scored two goals in the 80th and 83rd minutes to give her team a 2–1 victory over Brighton. She was shortlisted for the BBC Super League Young Player of the Season award for the 2019–20 season.
Everton (Loan)
On January 27, 2021, Lehmann moved to Everton on loan until the end of the season. She earned her first start for the team on February 14 against Reading and scored her first goal on March 11 against Birmingham City.
Aston Villa
Alisha Lehmann joined Aston Villa for the 2021–22 season, scoring her first two goals for the club on December 2, 2021, against Sunderland. She scored a winning goal in the 93rd minute against Leicester City on January 23, 2023. Lehmann was named Women’s Supporters’ Player of the Season for 2021–22.
In July 2022, she signed a one-year contract extension with Aston Villa for the 2022–23 season. On March 26, 2023, she scored two goals and provided an assist in a 5–0 win against Leicester City, earning Player of the Match. At the end of the 2022–23 season, having made 54 appearances for Aston Villa, Alisha Lehmann extended her contract until June 2026, with an option to extend for a further year.
In the final away game of the 2023–24 season, Lehmann scored in the 1–0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion and was awarded Player of the Match. On July 6, 2024, Alisha Lehmann joined Italian side Juventus, signing a contract until 2027.
International Career
Alisha Lehmann debuted for the Swiss U-17 national team on April 11, 2015, in an 8–1 victory over Serbia during the elite qualifying round of the 2015 U-17 European Championship. Five days later, she scored her first goal, sealing a 4–0 win against Finland. In the final tournament, she played in five of six games, scoring the decisive goal in a 1–0 win against the Republic of Ireland, helping Switzerland top their group. Switzerland reached the final but lost 5–2 to Spain.
Alisha Lehmann was called up for the 2016 U-17 European Championship qualifiers by Monica Di Fonzo, playing in all six matches and scoring against Serbia and Lithuania. However, Switzerland was eliminated in the elite phase.
Selected by coach Nora Häuptle for the 2017 U-19 European Championship qualifiers, Lehmann debuted for the U-19 national team on October 18, 2016, against Estonia, scoring her first U-19 goal in the same match. She scored hat-tricks against Croatia and Czechia. Although she played in all remaining elite phase matches, Switzerland did not qualify.
In the 2018 U-19 European Championship held in Switzerland, Alisha Lehmann scored an equalizer against France and netted another goal in a 3–1 win over Norway. Switzerland exited in the preliminary round, with Lehmann playing in all three matches.
Senior
Alisha Lehmann earned her first cap for the senior Switzerland national team on October 22, 2017, in a friendly against Japan, substituting for Eseosa Aigbogun in the 55th minute. She scored her first international goal on March 2, 2018, against Finland at the 2018 Cyprus Cup. Her first official international match was a 1–0 victory over Scotland on April 5, 2018, during the 2019 World Cup qualifiers. In May 2019, she sustained an ankle injury during national camp training and underwent surgery.
Alisha Lehmann was part of the team that qualified for the 2022 UEFA European Championship, scoring a goal in a 2–1 win against Belgium. In the crucial match against Czechia, she scored during the penalty shootout, helping Switzerland reach the Euros. However, she opted out of the 2022 Euros, citing she was not “mentally ready” for the tournament. On July 3, 2023, Lehmann was selected for the 2023 World Cup, playing in two of three group stage matches as a substitute. Switzerland was eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the Round of 16.
In Popular Culture
Personal Life
Alisha Lehmann is openly bisexual, having previously identified as lesbian. She dated Swiss national teammate Ramona Bachmann until their split in 2022. As of June 2024, she is in a relationship with Brazilian Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Career Statistics
| Youth career | ||
| Years | Club | |
| 2008–2011 | FC Konolfingen | |
| Senior Career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2018 | BSC YB Frauen | 52 | (25) |
| 2018–2021 | West Ham United | 42 | (9) |
| 2021– | → Everton (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| 2021–2024 | Aston Villa | 58 | (9) |
| 2024– | Juventus | 0 | (0) |
| International Career | ||
| Apps (Gls) | Team | Year |
| 19 (6) | Switzerland U17 | 2015–2016 |
| 21 (9) | Switzerland U19 | 2016–2018 |
| 55 (9) | Switzerland | 2017– |
Career Statistics
Career statistics of Alisha Lehmann, a Swiss professional footballer
| Season | Club | League | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-2018 | BSC YB Frauen | Swiss Women’s Super League | 52 | 25 |
| 2018-2021 | West Ham United | FA Women’s Super League | 42 | 9 |
| 2021-2022 | Everton (loan) | FA Women’s Super League | 8 | 1 |
| 2021-present | Aston Villa | FA Women’s Super League | 20+ | 5+ |
| National Team | Switzerland | International | 30+ | 7+ |
