Kerstin Casparij has said her move to Manchester City has been like joining a "new world."
The Dutch defender arrived in England for the first time from FC Twente last summer as one of seven signings made by manager Gareth Taylor. Quickly, she has already become one of the standout out right-backs in the division, helping City up to fourth in the table ahead of the winter break.
City return to league action following the month lay-off with a trip to West Ham this weekend, knowing at least one of the sides above them will drop points courtesy of Arsenal's clash with Chelsea. And Casparij was a key part of their end of year revival, with an excellent run of form in the back four.
Alongside Alex Greenwood and Laia Aleixandri, she has been an integral part of a defence that hasn't conceded twice since a 2-0 defeat away at Chelsea back in September. Speaking to BBC's The Football News Show, the young international said the outstanding facilities in pace at City have helped her settle to the demands of top-flight English football.
"The level of play here (in England) is so much higher than I'm used to," Casparij said. "But also the facilities and everything about the club is amazing.
"For me that has made it like a new world, ever since I stepped into the City academy. I thought 'we have all this equipment and what do we use it for'. So for me that has been the biggest change.
"I loved the Manchester derby and playing at the Etihad (Stadium). I'd never been on the pitch before, so to be on that pitch for the first time, with so many people supporting us was amazing. I can't wait until we're allowed to do it again."
And the 22-year-old said she believed that her side were more than capable of posing a threat in the WSL title race. Taylor set his side the target of going unbeaten until the end of the season after the 1-1 draw with United last month and Casparij believes their relentless nature gives City a chance.
"I do think we are building something special for sure," she added. "We have been doing so, so well. The main reason why is because we don't just settle for a draw or a 1-0 win. We always want to do better every week.
"We are always critical of ourselves and seeing what we can do better, what is good and just keep our feet on the ground. I think that is why we're doing so well.
"I think can challenge them (Arsenal and Chelsea) if we keep winning and we keep being unbeaten, we have a good chance."
Under current form Casparij is likely to go next summer's World Cup as the Netherlands first choice right-back. But she admitted it will be difficult to travel without their star player Vivianne Miedema, who is likely to miss the tournament after rupturing her ACL whilst playing for Arsenal last month.
"She (Miedema) is the top scorer of the national team and has always done an amazing job for us," Casparij added. "To not have her at the World Cup will be a shame for us as a national team.
"She was finding her form again and playing well. So for us we will have to find another way and someone who can score all the goals Viv would score.
"I can't wait for the World Cup. I've never been there and just going over to the other side of the world will be an adventure in itself. It will be my first World Cup as well so I'm looking forward to that, but I try not to think about it too much yet."
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