Having finished fifth last season, Tottenham are hoping to break into the WSL’s top three and qualify for the Women’s Champions League.
As well as Hanson, they have signed West Ham’s top-scorer Shekiera Martinez, talented France defender Alice Sombath from Lyon and creative midfielder Victoria Pelova from rivals Arsenal this summer.
It means there will be fierce competition for a place in the starting XI – something Hanson is relishing.
“I’m definitely comfortable [in the WSL] now but I still don’t see myself as one of the best. I’m very critical of myself,” she said.
“It’s going to be tough. I’m not expecting anything. My main aim is just to be better because I’ve got so many levels to go to. Martin knows that as well.
“I knew the level of players that were here. I’m just so excited to learn from them. I’m also here to help others, because that’s what I’ve done at every club.
“I might not be the most talented but I’ve got a lot of fight and hunger in me. I literally run through a brick wall for my team. Hopefully I’ve showed them that.”
Hanson’s quality is unquestionable. Last season, she netted 43% of Villa’s total goals and had the best shots on target ratio (50%) of the top-five goalscorers in the league.
She not only scored the bulk of Villa’s goals, but only two team-mates created more chances than Hanson’s 16 – and she had the most touches in the opposition box.
Her work-rate was evident too, as Hanson ranked among the top performers in her position in most defensive actions including tackling and interceptions.
The Scotland forward says she has also matured off the pitch and has a degree in sports coaching she hopes to put to good use.
Asked about where specifically she has developed, Hanson said: “I know what to do at different points in the game. I know how to calm players down.
“Previously when I worked with Martin, I was younger and I wouldn’t have been able to cope with that as much. But now I’ve definitely matured a lot.”
