Ben Haines is at Cobdown Park, the home London City Lionesses, as they look ahead to their first season in the WSL as the league's only side to not have an affiliated men's team.Ben sits down with Nikita Parris, Danielle van de Donk, Kosovare Asllani, Jocelyn Prêcheur and Jana Fernández. Jana opens up about the emotions of leaving Barcelona and her admiration for the WSL, Jocelyn talks his relationship with owner Michelle Kang and her ambitions for the club, Danielle and Nikita tell Ben all about their decision to join the team and what excites them about this new challenge, plus Asllani reveals why she's glad she trusted her gut and the challenges of building a fanbase as an independent team.TIMECODES:
00:47 - Nikita Parris
08:57 - Jana Fernández
19:43 - Kosovare Asllani
30:06 - Danielle van de Donk
35:13 - Jocelyn Prêcheur
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Close contests, dream debuts & transfer records
Ben Haines, England women’s record goal scorer Ellen White and The Guardian’s Tom Garry reflect on the opening weekend of the WSL season. Ellen talks Olivia Smith’s wonder goal for Arsenal in front of 38,000 fans at the Emirates. The team chat Chelsea’s win over Manchester City and new signing Ellie Carpenter impressing. It was a dream debut for Everton's Ornella Vignola with a hat-trick at Anfield during Everton’s 4-1 win over Liverpool. Hear from Ella Toone on her hopes for Manchester United’s Champions League qualification. Plus Ben rounds up all the transfer business, including a record breaking signing for London City Lionesses in French international Grace Geyoro!Timecodes:
01:00 A Swiss reunion!
03:20 Olivia Smith. WOW.
07:30 Beth Mead assist Queen
13:20 Lauren Hemp position?
15:20 Manchester United impress & Ella Toone
21:30 Everton come out firing
30:30 Transfer round up
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Extra: Chelsea and Manchester City meet in the WSL opener!
Ben Haines goes inside the Manchester City and Chelsea camps to catch up with Sonia Bompastor, Naomi Girma, Ellie Carpenter, Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema ahead of the start of a new WSL season.As well as looking ahead to the opening game of the season at Stamford Bridge, Ben talks Taylor Swift with Viv, life at Chelsea with Ellie and Naomi, the golden boot with Bunny and Euros glory with Lauren!Plus, Sonia is aiming high again this season!TIMECODES:
00:55 - Naomi Girma
08:52 - Ellie Carpenter
17:40 - Sonia Bompastor
27:58 - Lauren Hemp
36:30 - Bunny Shaw
42:41 - Vivianne Miedema
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50:57
Extra: Millie Bright on mental health, missing the Euros and 'special' relationship with Bompastor
Ben Haines sits down with Chelsea captain Millie Bright to discuss why withdrawing from England's Euros squad was 'the best decision' for her this summer, how she's 'got back to herself' this summer with the help of counselling sessions and what makes her relationship with Sonia Bompastor so special.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline
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The WSL returns!
Ben, Ellen and Jen get us up to date on where we find these teams as we head into the new season. Hear from Fran Kirby as she goes into her second season with Brighton and the ambitions of the club. Who are the big transfers that could make the difference, how newly promoted London City Lionesses will fair and what teams might struggle. The team also run us through the manager merry-go-round with lots of change since last season. Jen and Ellen make their predictions for the season with their top three and those teams we could see go into the relegation play-offs!Timecodes:
01:00 Welcome back & brand new feed
03:10Where we find the WSL teams
07:50 Fran Kirby
09:50 Michelle Agyemang under any pressure?
17:30 London City big signings
31:10 Transfers
35:30 Season predictions5 LIVE COMMENTARIES:
Chelsea v Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday 5th September (7:30pm kick-off)
Arsenal v London City Lionesses at the Emirates on Saturday 7th September (1:30pm kick-off)
Liverpool v Everton at Anfield on Sunday 8th September (12:00pm kick-off)
Whether you’re a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women’s game, BBC Women’s Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week.Ben Haines teams up with England’s record goalscorer Ellen White and former Scotland international Jen Beattie to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women’s Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women’s Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women’s Super League and national teams.Subscribe now to get every episode as soon as it drops and stay in the know with the latest from the world of women’s football.
Plus, listen to classic episodes of Jill Scott’s Coffee Club, where Jill sits down with players for honest, off-the-pitch conversations over a coffee.
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