Emma Sanders

Women's Super League 2 clubs used creative activities during pre-season to build team unity and help new players settle in. Nottingham Forest organized speed-dating-style squad exercises and visited a wildlife centre in Canada, while Sheffield United played a real-life version of The Hunted. Sunderland players explored the coast, where goalkeeper Fran Stenson mistook dolphins for sharks, and Wolves combined abseiling, fitness exercises and campfires on a Lake District trip. Wolves goalkeeper Emily Orman also discussed her growing interests in video games, documentary-making and sports media.

Lydia Bedford has named a 21-player England squad for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Poland, despite a potential boycott by European nations over the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal. England will face Canada, Tanzania and Brazil in Group B, with six European teams currently involved in the 24-team tournament. Bedford said the team had been instructed to continue preparing as normal and that the players had remained focused on their football.

Brighton midfielder and Switzerland captain Lia Wälti says she returned to England after one season at Juventus because she missed the professional standards, support, fan culture and feeling of being valued that she experienced in the Women's Super League. She describes major differences in facilities, pitch quality, broadcasting and investment between England and many other countries, arguing that poor environments prevent talented players from reaching their potential. Wälti joined Brighton after being impressed by the club's investment in women's football, including plans for a £75m-£80m purpose-built stadium, improved training facilities and ambitions to challenge for the WSL's top three.

Manchester City enter the 2026-27 Women's Super League season as reigning champions and FA Cup winners after ending Chelsea's six-year dominance. Their title defence will be tested by a return to European football, a more demanding schedule and stronger competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, London City Lionesses, Tottenham and Brighton. City have added England internationals Beth Mead and Niamh Charles and retained leading scorer Khadija Shaw, but lost Kerolin to Barcelona. Captain Alex Greenwood says the team must evolve rather than simply repeat last season's approach, maintaining its winning culture while improving as rivals strengthen.

Manchester United's women's team has faced sustained criticism over limited investment, inadequate training facilities, staff and player departures, and a lack of major trophies since becoming professional in 2018. The departure of manager Marc Skinner renewed questions about the club's commitment, particularly after comments by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the loss of players including Alessia Russo, Mary Earps, Ona Batlle and Melvine Malard. However, scrutiny is not unique to United: Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea have also faced criticism over investment, facilities, contracts, stadium costs and squad depth. The article concludes that United's status as one of the world's biggest men's clubs raises expectations, but their women's team is one of many WSL sides whose decisions and progress are closely examined.

Alexia Putellas discusses her move from Barcelona to London City Lionesses, describing the challenge of adapting to a new club, league, language and life in England. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner remains highly ambitious despite giving up Champions League football, and aims to help build an independent club in its early stages. She reflects on her Barcelona career, Spain's World Cup triumph, an ACL injury that changed her perspective, and her reputation as an influential leader and tactical thinker. Alongside the sporting transition, she is navigating London traffic, house-hunting, English culture and the attention surrounding her WSL debut.

Newly promoted Crystal Palace have signed Tottenham defender Molly Bartrip on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 30-year-old spent five years at Spurs, made more than 100 appearances and helped the club reach its first Women's FA Cup final in 2024. She will reunite with former Tottenham captain Bethany England, while Palace have also recruited Women's Super League 2 top scorer Lexi Lloyd-Smith as they strengthen their squad for their return to the top flight.

Marc Skinner has left Manchester United's women's team by mutual consent after five years in charge. He delivered the club's first major trophy, the 2024 Women's FA Cup, and helped secure Champions League qualification, but faced criticism over tactics, player development and inconsistent performances. Skinner had also raised concerns about limited investment and squad depth, while supporters became increasingly frustrated by the club's quiet transfer window compared with rivals. Manchester United is advanced in its search for a replacement, with player development a key requirement.

Aggie Beever-Jones describes the 2025-26 season as the toughest of her career after successive ankle injuries disrupted her playing time and affected her mental health. The Chelsea forward has signed a new four-year contract after considering interest from other WSL clubs and aims to establish herself as a regular starter. She also hopes strong form can secure her place in England's squad for next year's World Cup. Despite Chelsea losing their six-year WSL title run to Manchester City, Beever-Jones remains confident that the club's strengthened squad can challenge domestically and in Europe.

Tottenham Women have pursued a carefully planned and ambitious transfer strategy under manager Martin Ho, signing key targets early to allow a full pre-season together. The club recruited a mix of highly rated young European players, including record signing Alice Sombath, and established WSL forwards such as Kirsty Hanson and Shekiera Martinez. After rising to fifth in the league last season, Spurs aim to challenge the established top clubs and eventually qualify for European football, although they face strong competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, London City Lionesses and Brighton. The investment reflects broader growth at Tottenham, but the club must also expand its modest women's-team fanbase and navigate a women's game where financial regulation remains underdeveloped.

Southampton director of women's football Marieanne Spacey-Cale will leave the club later in 2026 after eight years. A key figure in developing Southampton's women's and girls' programme, she helped the first team secure successive promotions to reach WSL 2 and became director of football in 2024. Her departure follows reports that Southampton is significantly reducing investment in its women's team amid stricter licensing requirements for clubs in England's top two tiers. The club has also faced criticism over the Spygate scandal, which led to its men's team being removed from the Championship play-offs and head coach Tonda Eckert being charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has signed a new two-year contract with Chelsea after her previous deal expired. The renewal is viewed as crucial to Chelsea's plans to recover from a disappointing 2025-26 season and follows the departures of several high-profile players. Hampton, who joined from Aston Villa in 2023, has won five trophies with Chelsea, claimed back-to-back WSL Golden Gloves and helped England win Euro 2025, following her role in the Euro 2022 triumph and 2023 World Cup final. She said Chelsea is her dream club and that she wants to help the team return to its previous level of success.

Laia Codina explains her move from Arsenal to West Ham as a decision driven by manager Rita Guarino’s clarity and ambition, describing a growing project focused on improving style and competitiveness. She expresses confidence that West Ham’s increased investment and evolving identity will lead to a more possession‑based, recognisable team. Codina reflects on her career path from Barcelona to London, her community involvement, and the strong culture within the Spain national team, crediting their success to simplicity and intention in play.

Erica Meg Parkinson, a multilingual 17‑year‑old midfielder recently called up to England’s senior squad, has built her development around long‑term mindset coaching with Martin Fairn. Working together since age 12, she uses structured mental training to manage pressure, clarify goals and strengthen decision‑making. Her rapid rise through Portuguese clubs and England’s youth teams, combined with a move to North Carolina Courage, reflects both her talent and the psychological tools she has developed to navigate higher expectations. Fairn highlights her determination, self‑awareness and ability to evaluate progress as key factors in her continued growth toward becoming a regular for England.

Aston Villa signed Norway defender Mathilde Harviken from Juventus, where she won multiple trophies and made nearly 50 appearances. The 24-year-old, who previously played for Rosenborg and featured in major tournaments for Norway, said she was eager to develop at her new club. Villa’s director of women’s football, Marisa Ewers, praised Harviken’s experience and potential, expressing confidence in her impact on the team.

Newcastle United completed the signing of Scotland defender Rachel McLauchlan from Brighton for an undisclosed fee, bringing in a player with extensive domestic and international experience to strengthen their bid for promotion. McLauchlan, who previously won multiple Scottish league titles and cups and has 35 Scotland caps, cited manager Tanya Oxtoby’s ambitions for the club as a key factor in her move. Oxtoby highlighted McLauchlan’s versatility, defensive quality and title-winning pedigree as major assets for the team.

Crystal Palace have signed striker Bethany England on a two-year contract following her departure from Tottenham, where she was the club’s all‑time WSL top scorer. The experienced forward, who has won multiple titles with Chelsea and was part of England’s Euro 2022–winning squad, joins Palace as the club returns to the Women’s Super League. Manager Jo Potter welcomed the signing, expressing confidence in England’s goal-scoring impact.

Chelsea reached an agreement to sign Manchester United forward Melvine Malard for about £850,000, with the France international set to reunite with manager Sonia Bompastor at Stamford Bridge. Malard will be the club’s third summer signing, strengthening attacking options following Sam Kerr’s move to Gotham FC. Manchester United had hoped to keep her but accepted a fee to avoid losing her on a free next year after she declined a new contract. Malard was United’s most productive attacker last season and previously worked with Bompastor at Lyon.

Liverpool expect to lose record signing Denise O'Sullivan only six months after her arrival, with a return to the NWSL likely and Gotham FC leading the pursuit. The club is in negotiations over a deal that may include a loan with an obligation to buy, and Liverpool anticipate receiving a significant fee. O'Sullivan’s departure stems from her desire to return to the United States after a long stint at North Carolina Courage. Her exit, along with the failed attempt to keep goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, poses challenges for Liverpool as they try to rebuild following a disappointing season.

Alexia Putellas chose to leave Barcelona after 14 years to join London City Lionesses, influenced by owner Michele Kang’s ambitions and a shared vision for growing women’s football. London City secured the historic transfer through long-term engagement, financial backing within WSL salary rules, and a project aiming for rapid competitive growth. The move elevates the club’s profile, may attract further top players, and intensifies competition in the WSL, while also raising concerns about financial disparity and future implications of Uefa’s multi‑club ownership rules.

Chelsea midfielder Julia Bartel is set to join Juventus after limited playing time since arriving from Barcelona in 2024. The Spain youth international spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid after a previous spell at Liverpool, accumulating 43 appearances and six goals in Spain. Juventus seek to strengthen their midfield following Lia Walti’s move to Brighton after finishing third in Serie A and exiting the Women’s Champions League in the play-off stage.