When the United States womens national team wrapped up its first camp of the year, Megan Rapinoe described midfielder Sam Mewis as "the best player in our team right now."

I think that's pretty easy to say, the 35-year-oldadded.

Considering the USWNT has been the best national team in the world for some time now, winning the last two World Cup titles, its no small compliment to be called its best player.

Manchester City fans would Michael Brantley Jersey not disagree with Rapinoe, either.

Since arriving in England in the summer, Mewis has scored six goals and generally dominated in midfield. One of those goals was .

The fact she returns to her club this week with an injury, then, is a huge blow. .

However, despite the midfielder's incredible impact in Manchester, January showed that City can cope without her.

The turn of the year was a particularly important time for the club.

The fixtures she would mi s with her club, bar a Continental Andy Pettitte Jersey Cup clash with Chelsea, may not have looked all too difficult on paper, with Aston Villa and Brighton occupying places in the lower echelons of the table.

But both proved particularly tricky opposition in the opening two weeks of Citys season, with Brighton even taking a point back home from Manchester.

With the Citizens having struggled for consistency at times this term, there was legitimate concern over how big an impact losing their standout performer would have on their results.

Very little, as it transpired.

Villa was hammered 7-0 despite a COVID-19 outbreak that meanthead coach Gareth Taylor was among thoseforced into isolation. On top of that, a number of injuriesforced City to name four academy players on the bench who had no previous senior experience.

Many key players remainedunavailable for the following week's game against Brighton but, again, it didn't show. The final scoreline read 7-1 to City.

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Defeat to Chelsea was tough to take, but given the circumstances, coupled withthe spirited performance put on, it was hardly devastating.

Indeed, whereas January could have hammered homehow much City depend on Mewis,instead it illustrated just how adaptable and strong thesquad can be in tough times.

I was really proud, Taylor said. Sometimes you find out a lot about people Josh Reddick Jersey when your back's against the wall.

I thought considering the circumstances and the changes we had to make in the Chelsea game, which were enforced on us due to players not having trained as much or having enough minutes under their belt. So,they've been amazing.

Mewis Januarywent just as well.

While her team excelled in England, and providing an a sist in the second before limping off injured.

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No J.R. Richard Jersey team ever wants to be without its best players, of course. But for City to have shone so much without Mewis and many others is a big confidence boost, particularly after its struggles earlier this season.

With huge games against Arsenal and Manchester United to come in February, and injured personnel working to be back in time, its an even bigger positive going forward.

We come into a decent period of three games before the international break and we want to be there, we want to work as hard as we po sibly can in order to be right in the mix for the title , Taylor added.

We're still in it at the moment, so we want to make sure after Lance McCullers Jersey these three games, we're still in it then too.

January was a reminder of all the other talent City has, particularly in attack. So, now havingplayers like Mewis backas the most important part of the season approachesgives it real reason to get excited about what lies ahead.