Swiss international footballer Alisha Lehmann is reportedly increasingly likely to bring her Italian adventure to a premature conclusion and secure a swift return to England's Women's Super League. The 26-year-old forward, who has previously garnered significant attention under the moniker 'the world's sexiest footballer', appears to be on the verge of an early exit from Serie A club FC Como Women.
A Stalled Start in Serie A
Lehmann's move to Como last August, following a single season with Juventus, has failed to yield the on-pitch success she or the club envisioned. According to reports from AS, her time with the Italian minnows is nearing an abrupt end, with Leicester City currently positioned as the frontrunners to secure her signature in the ongoing transfer window.
Exclusion from First-Team Plans
The writing has been on the wall for some time regarding Lehmann's future at the club. She has been conspicuously left out of matchday squads for key fixtures against Napoli, Fiorentina, and Parma. This pattern culminated in her being axed from the squad entirely at the weekend. It is understood that the club's sporting director has personally informed Lehmann that she does not feature in Como's future plans.
Her on-field contributions have been minimal since her arrival. Lehmann has not managed to start a single game for Como, making only three brief substitute appearances in total. This stark lack of playing time stands in sharp contrast to the ambitious project she initially signed up for.
From Villa to Turin, Then Como
Lehmann's journey to Italy began just over a year ago when she departed Aston Villa for Juventus, a move she made alongside her former partner, Douglas Luiz. The high-profile couple's subsequent breakup was followed by Lehmann's transfer to Como last summer, as Luiz returned to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest.
Her move to Como coincided with significant investment in the women's team by the Mercury13 group, a consortium that includes footballing luminaries like Juan Mata and Giorgio Chiellini. Upon signing, Lehmann spoke enthusiastically about the club's vision, stating it was 'a project with real purpose' and emphasising her desire to be part of building something lasting. However, if a January departure materialises, those optimistic words will now ring somewhat hollow.
Off-Pitch Turbulence in Italy
Lehmann's time in Italy has been marred by significant off-pitch turmoil, compounding her professional frustrations. She has been the victim of two separate burglaries within a short period. The first occurred in October 2023, when the home she shared with Luiz was targeted by robbers who stole 11 of his watches and several of her own lavish diamond necklaces.
Tragically, she suffered a second shocking theft just last November. Lehmann shared distressing footage on social media showing her bedroom ransacked, with items scattered across the floor and cupboards left open. In a poignant and darkly humorous post accompanying the video, she wrote: 'Next time people rob my house, can you please clean up after, cause I've got OCD.'
Social Media Stardom and a Likely Premier League Return
Despite her struggles on the pitch in Italy, Lehmann maintains an enormous global profile, largely driven by her social media presence. With over 17 million followers on Instagram alone, she boasts one of the largest online followings of any female footballer, a status that has earned her the nickname 'Queen of Switzerland' among fans.
This combination of high profile and current availability has put several WSL clubs on alert. A return to England would also see her geographically closer to Luiz, with whom she rekindled her romance at the start of 2024. All signs now point towards a swift conclusion to her Italian chapter and a fresh start back in the competitive environment of the Women's Super League, where Leicester City are poised to offer her a route back to regular football.
