Football Friday – Chelsea Champions, Sam Kerr & the Transfer Rumours begin
As we head into the final weekend of the WSL Season, it seemed the perfect time to launch my first WSL post with a ‘Friday Footie’ catchup.
Chelsea Champions
After securing victory of the WSL a couple of weeks ago. Chelsea Women will lift the trophy this weekend at Stamford Bridge after their match against Liverpool. I’ll be there to join in the celebrations and I honestly cannot wait. Six times in a row is no easy task, but that ‘Chelsea grit and mentality’ got them to this point, even if it was a game earlier than expected (thank you Aston Villa).
London will be blue in celebration this weekend and what a fantastic first season for Sonia Bompastor. Despite the injuries, thankfully not Manchester City level injuries, Chelsea have fought hard and took the title with two matches still to play. With the even more impressive ‘unbeaten WSL record so far’ for this WSL Season. Only in three previous completed seasons has the WSL been won by an unbeaten side – Arsenal in 2012, Manchester City in 2016 and Chelsea themselves in 2018 – can Chelsea beat Liverpool on Saturday to continue that legacy?
London City Lionesses
The first independent team to join the WSL and a team I feel have the potential to really shake up the WSL next Season. At the helm, their super glam billionaire owner Michele Kang has lead a bit of a football revolution in the Women’s Championship. And although it went down to the final game (and what a game it was!), it was the London City Lionesses that triumphed over Birmingham City Women to take that step up to the WSL. Personally I would love to have seen the top two teams from the Championship come up to the WSL. Both teams deserved a place in my opinion and an expanding WSL would only be a good thing?
Whilst some people may side towards the journey of Women’s football clubs from their roots, others will see what’s happened to London City Lionesses this past season with Michele Kang as exciting and a huge step for women’s football. Whatever your opinion, you cannot deny that its been exciting to watch and you feel Michele Kang is only getting started with the WSL, especially after her success with Lyon and Washington Spirit. Watch this space indeed.
Sam Kerr
Huge congratulations to Sam Kerr and Kristie Mews on the birth of their son, Jagger Mewis-Kerr. Sam posted a photo of the beautiful family on her Instagram sharing their super happy news.
The Seagulls cull the Arsenal
I couldn’t write a catch up without mentioning that match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal Women on Monday (sorry Gunners!). What a phenomenal performance from Brighton. Super Fran’s goal was an absolute stunner, but then Jelena Cankovic said ‘hold my beer’ and delivered one of my favourite goals of the Season. A six goal thriller between the two teams resulted in a 4-2 victory for the Seagulls. A standout player of the match performance by Brighton’s ‘straight off the bench’ goalie Sophie Baggaley, in full view of Sarina Wiegman watching, just ahead of the Euros too.
Transfer Rumours & Departures
We’ve reached that point at the end of the Season when the moves begin. As this Summer is going to be a busy one, I’ve created a separate ‘Transfer Talk’ post that I’ll continue to update with all the latest rumours and confirmations.
New Contract
West Ham Manager Rehanne Skinner has reportedly signed to stay with the Hammers until 2026
Australian internation Clare Wheeler has signed a new contract with Everton.
Departures
Arsenal – Teyah Goldie will leave the club when her contract expires in the Summer.
Arsenal – Amanada Ilestedt will leave the club when her contract expires at the end of the season.
Arsenal – A hat-trick of departures for the Gunners, Lina Hurtig will also depart the club at the end of the season.
Chelsea – After 214 appearances, Sophie Ingle will leave the club at the end of the season.
Rumours
Chloe Kelly – will she stay at Arsenal? I would be surprised if she didn’t to be honest, she’s been a breath of fresh air and surely cemented her England Lioness place this Summer as a result.
Beth Mead – a move up north? I’ve seen rumours about Manchester United and with Viv at Manchester City, a move up north could potentially be on the cards.
Laia Aleixandri – if not already confirmed then Laia moving to FC Barcelona looks highly likely.
And this is just the start….let me know your transfer rumours, hopes, wishes and all your WSL football chat and thoughts in the comments below x
Photos credits in this blog post – Instagram London City Lionesses, Instagram Sam Kerr, Instagram Brighton and Hove Albion Women and Instagram Laia Aleixandri.