Women's Super League

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says he wants his players to show more "personality" in Sunday's game against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

United sit fourth in the Women's Super League table, just a point below second-placed City as they head into the derby.

"We're younger now than we have been before. Our experience is slightly less in these games," said Skinner.

"City are missing a few players that are big for them that have played lots of minutes. We're energetic and young. We will see!

"What I'm expecting from our team is high energy and to have personality with the ball.

"It's making sure the decision-making processes are not compromised by the situation or the pressure. That's what I want to see."

Here are more key lines from his media conference:

• Geyse will be absent from Sunday's squad due to a "tragedy in the family" so she has been given personal leave.

• Grace Clinton and Simi Awujo have been in full training and are available for selection.

• Skinner praised the growth of Ella Toone as a person after overcoming a difficult few months following the death of her father.

• He believes there is not a psychological barrier when the team come up against City despite their rivals having a better record in the derby.

• Skinner also wants to find a balance between rawness and fearlessness in his players, and gaining more experience to impact these matches.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham head coach Rehanne Skinner says her side can cause Women's Super League leaders Chelsea problems when the two meet on Sunday.

The Hammers host the Blues (15:00 GMT kick-off) in their first game back from the Christmas break and will look to build on their recent home form.

Seven of their eight WSL points this season have come at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, with Arsenal the only side to beat them there in the league this season.

"I think our home ground has been made tremendous by the fans to be honest," said Skinner. "It's a difficult place to come to and the players love playing at home and we've had some good results there. I think then that gives us a lot of confidence going into the game.

"We're confident with the way we are defending and how we're sticking together. That's only got more and more composed as time has gone on and I think we can make life difficult for them in certain areas.

"It's just going to be up to taking chances at key moments and managing the game as effectively as we can."

Here are the key lines from Skinner's news conference:

• Skinner said West Ham are always looking to improve their squad with the transfer window currently open.

• The West Ham boss described Shekiera Martinez's form on loan at Freiburg as "fantastic", adding that she now has the visa required to be playing in the WSL which will "add value" to the squad following her recall.

• Skinner describes the long-term contracts signed by defenders Amber Tysiak and Anouk Denton as a "statement of intent" from West Ham. Both signed deals until the summer of 2028 earlier this month.

• On starting the New Year with four games out of six at home, Skinner said it is "fantastic for the fans" getting to watch so many home matches in quick succession.

Image source, Liverpool FC

Liverpool midfielder Marie Hobinger has signed a new deal with the club.

The Austria international joined from FC Zurich in July 2023 and she has gone on to make 39 appearances, scoring seven goals and assisting a further five.

She has become a key player under manager Matt Beard, appearing in all 22 Women's Super League matches last season.

On signing a new deal, the 23-year-old said: "I'm so, so happy. I think it's always an honour to play for Liverpool and I've enjoyed my time so, so much.

"I've also become much more confident and comfortable in that environment. I think it's a good place to be and to extend here.

"The football club, the city and all the people that I work with every day just give me the chance to get better every day and that's exactly what I want."

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn says he wants to be playing against Celtic and Rangers amid suggestions of them joining the Women's Super League.

The two Scottish giants have been linked with being moved to the WSL in recent weeks, although Uefa confirmed on Thursday that no approach had been made to them over such a move.

Speaking ahead of facing Leicester City on Sunday (12:30 GMT kick-off), Vilahamn said he would love to play against the clubs but did not want to disrespect English or Scottish football by doing so.

"I like the clubs Celtic and Glasgow Rangers, they are very big clubs according to me," said Vilahamn.

"I see the results in the Scottish League and I see they are regularly struggling to have consistent leagues as they have a really big number of wins all the time. I would love to play Glasgow Rangers, I would love to play Celtic.

"I would love to have that kind of league but I have enormous respect for England and Scotland so I don't want to say we have to do this or that. If you ask me, I would love to go up there and play against these big clubs."

Here are more key lines from Vilahamn's news conference:

• Vilahamn said that goalkeeper Lize Kop, who signed from Leicester earlier this week, had been a long-term signing. He added that he has three good goalkeepers in her, Rebecca Spencer and Eleanor Heeps.

• Kop could make her debut against her former side this weekend, but Vilahamn says he will wait until Saturday to decide on his team selection.

• Asked about whether the WSL should become a closed league, Vilahamn said there are other ways to grow the league and that more needs to be done to "develop" a stronger WSL. The Swedish coach added that more teams being introduced to the WSL could help with that.

• On recruitment, Vilahamn said that Tottenham could make one more signing this month to add cover in a number of positions.

• Vilahamn also said that Bethany England was "brilliant" before the Christmas break and that while there is competition between her and Martha Thomas in attack, both will also be used together at times.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Matt Beard says they are "quite far behind" the top budgets in the Women's Super League but is happy with the progress the club has made.

They finished fourth in the WSL last season but have not spent as much money in recent transfer windows compared to Brighton, Aston Villa and Manchester United.

Beard said last month it was "unlikely" Liverpool would sign more than one player in January but they have managed to recruit midfielders Julia Bartel and Sam Kerr on loan from Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively.

Asked if he was happy with the level of player investment, Beard said: "As a manager you would always want more, that's the first thing I would say.

"I have worked at this football club long enough to know how things work and I've said before, it's not always about the money.

"Really, you need to be around no less than 20% off what the top budgets are if you want to be winning trophies. We are quite far behind that top budget.

"It's one of those things. I know we don't have the biggest budget in the division and I feel we have done well with the budget we have."

Here are more key lines from his news conference:

• Beard admits he would "love" key players Fuka Nagano, Ceri Holland and Grace Fisk to sign new contracts but that is "out of his hands".

• The squad "desperately needed a break", says Beard, as injuries were mounting up and it was becoming unsustainable.

• It feels like a "fresh start" now that they have players returning to fitness but the game comes a week too soon for striker Sophie Roman Haug.

• Beard says Brighton boss Dario Vidosic has been "fantastic" so far and made a big impression in a short space of time.

Emily Herbert
BBC Radio London

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have been boosted by the return of winger Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd, who has resumed full training before Sunday's game against West Ham.

There is less positive news about midfielder Wieke Kaptein, who manager Sonia Bompastor confirmed missed training and will not be in the squad.

"She's getting back to practice but isn't ready for the game. She'll probably be in the squad for Wednesday," added Bompastor.

Chelsea sit top of the Women's Super League table by six points but Bompastor is staying grounded.

"We're taking it game by game. If we can maintain the gap, great. But our focus is on the next match," she added.

Here are more key lines from her news conference:

• Bompastor insisted on keeping the threat of relegation in the league, stating it keeps matches competitive, despite reports that a "closed league" had been considered.

• She praised the loan system and said the gap between U18s and the first team "was too big" so it was an important part of player development.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester manager Amandine Miquel says that she wants to add attacking players in the January transfer window, but will only sign players she believes will suit the club.

The Foxes, who sit 11th after 10 games in the Women's Super League season, have scored just three league goals this season going into Sunday's trip to Tottenham (12:30 GMT kick-off).

Part of their attacking woes have been down to injuries, with German international Lena Petermann missing the duration of the season and Noemie Mouchon and Jutta Rantala also sidelined.

"My priority is to make the squad I have better, first of all. If I can add offensive players because I think it will make a difference, I will," Miquel told BBC Sport. "I will not just add players to add players. I don't see the point in doing that.

"We are very openminded. We are looking to find players that can suit our style, find the right state of mind, that wants to come.

"Right now, we need people that care and that want to help. If we don't find that player in our minds, we will not be adding any players because I trust the quality we already have here for the second phase [of the season]."

Here are more key lines from Miquel's news conference:

• There is concern over an injury Hannah Cain picked up during Wednesday's 4-1 win over Stoke in the FA Cup.

• Emilia Pelgander was left out of the squad for that win, a decision made by Miquel who did not confirm whether the midfielder will be involved against Tottenham.

• Miquel praised the club's young players after Nelly Lasova's first goal for the club against Stoke and said she trusts them to play, not just in cup matches against lower division sides.

• On a replacement for goalkeeper Lize Kop who has joined Tottenham, Miquel said that she wants to add competition for Janina Leitzig but added that she could look to someone not urgently requiring regular minutes.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager Brian Sorensen says the club's new owners, the Friedkin Group, are "very positive about the women's programme".

The American group took over 99.5% of the club in a deal believed to be worth in excess of £400m in December.

Since then, Everton have been busy in the Women's Super League transfer window, signing two players on permanent deals and bringing three more in on loan.

"One thing is the players. That is what we needed in terms of the depth in the squad and having that quality available week-in and week-out," said Sorensen.

"I had talks with the Friedkin Group and they are very, very positive about the women's programme.

"I think we will see even more changes going forward in terms of the facilities, the staff etc."

Here are more key lines from Sorensen's news conference:.

• Everton are still working to bring in one more player in the transfer window but "it is not certain".

• Elise Stenevik is still not recovered from injury but Karen Holmgaard could be in contention for a return against Aston Villa on Saturday.

• Sorensen is opposed to the idea of a closed league in the WSL that would rule out relegation. He also doesn't like the idea of Celtic or Rangers joining.

• Everton have a strong track record of improving young talent and making the most of the loan system, says Sorensen, so he is excited by their new recruits.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Everton

Everton have signed French striker Louna Ribadeira on loan from Chelsea for the remainder of the season.

Ribadeira, 20, joined Chelsea in the summer from Paris FC, where she was immediately loaned back after joining the Women's Super League champions.

The forward, who made her debut for France last May against England, scored once in two appearances for the French side before returning to the Blues last week.

Ribadeira becomes the Toffees' fourth new arrival of the January window. Brian Sorensen's side have already signed midfielder Hayley Ladd from Manchester United permanently, as well defender Martina Fernandez and midfielder Emma Watson on loan from Barcelona and United respectively.

Prior to joining Chelsea, Ribadeira scored 13 times in 60 appearances for Paris. She was also named as the player of the tournament at the 2023 Women's Under-19s European Championship.

"Louna is an excellent talent which is why Chelsea signed her to a long-term contract," said Sorensen. "She is a different type of number nine striker who can drop into midfield and build up play, while her finishing is top quality."

Everton have struggled for goals throughout this season, netting just six in their 10 WSL matches. Only Leicester City (three) have fewer.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Women’s Championship side Newcastle United are pursuing young Aston Villa forward Freya Gregory.

The 22-year-old is a product of Aston Villa’s academy but has struggled for regular game time at the Women’s Super League club.

She spent the last two seasons on loan at Leicester City and Reading, before joining Southampton for another loan spell in the summer.

However, Villa recalled the England youth international from the Saints on Wednesday, activating a clause in her loan agreement, amid interest from Newcastle.

Gregory made 12 appearances and scored twice during her time at Southampton.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic said the club believe finishing in the Women's Super League's top four is a realistic target.

Albion return from the winter break fifth in the table and have a six-point cushion over sixth-placed Tottenham.

Speaking before Friday's game against Liverpool (kick-off 19:00 GMT), Vidosic said: "If you ask us we will always say yes.

"The club has set the ambition of being in the top four, I will always set the ambition of trying to be champions. That is the mentality. We will go out, we will try and win every game.

"In the end only one team can be champions and we will do everything we can. We are still in three competitions, we will put our best foot forward in all three to try and bring back some silverware to the club."

Here are more key lines from his news conference:

• On whether the club are ahead of schedule in his first season, Vidosic said: "Overall I am really happy with how we have progressed and we are looking to take the next steps starting on Friday night."

• He added: "There are still phases of play and aspects of the game that we are looking to fix. We are learning throughout and how teams are differing their style to match ours. There has been a lot of learning and there is still a lot of learning to go."

• On the postponement of Saturday's FA Cup tie, he said: "Everyone was keen to get back into it but mother nature had other ideas. It was very cold. The staff tried everything to get the pitch ready but player safety has to come first."

• On having an extra week to get players back from injury: "It's given an opportunity for a couple of players to keep building and re-join the squad. It's good to have bigger numbers now."

• He expects a "great game" against "a very dangerous opponent" in Liverpool.

Image source, Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham have signed Leicester City goalkeeper Lize Kop for an undisclosed fee.

The Netherlands internationals joins on a deal until June 2028 and will wear the number one shirt at Spurs.

She made 17 appearances for Leicester City after joining from Ajax in August 2023 and made her Women's Super League debut in January 2024.

The 26-year-old has attracted attention from several WSL clubs, including Manchester United, who tried to sign Kop last summer.

Spurs have been looking for a goalkeeper since Czech Republic's Barbora Votikova left in August 2024.

Kop has made 13 appearances for the Netherlands and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

The Women's Super League returns this week which can only mean one thing... BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast is back.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are joined by West Ham captain Katrina Gorry, who gives an open and honest reflection on challenges she has faced on and off the field, including struggling with her mental health.

Ellen and Jen give their views on moments that could define the WSL season. Plus the team chat the WSL hall of fame latest inductees: Steph Houghton, Alex Scott, Gilly Flaherty. and Rebecca Welch.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Former Arsenal defender Alex Scott said being inducted into the Barclays Women's Super League Hall of Fame was a full circle moment.

The 40-year-old's induction was celebrated on Monday evening alongside fellow inductees Steph Houghton, Gilly Flaherty and Rebecca Welch.

"It's a very proud moment," Scott told BBC Sport. "So many people have seen what I have managed to achieve in my broadcasting career which is incredible, but this just brings it all back to what I managed to do as a football player.

"The reason I am doing what I am doing now is because of what I managed to achieve then. It's a time for celebration for that part of my career."

The Gunners legend won 21 trophies during 12 years at the club and when asked what her favourite memory as a player was, Scott said: "With Arsenal I managed to win quite a few trophies. The 2007 quadruple-winning season has gone down in history because no team has managed to do that [since].

"Wining the FA Cup final and playing at Wembley in my club colours, I had managed to play there for England and Team GB, but finally getting that moment in an Arsenal top closed the chapter for me. I managed to achieve everything I thought I ever could and then it was time to move into broadcasting."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City forward Poppy Pritchard has returned from her loan spell at Crystal Palace.

The 19-year-old England youth international made five appearances for Palace in all competitions after joining them in September.

Pritchard is yet to play for Manchester City after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal in January 2024.

She came through Durham's academy and made 22 appearances for the Women's Championship club prior to signing her first professional contract at City.

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Anna Leat has left Aston Villa by mutual consent.

The New Zealand international joined the Women's Super League Club in the summer of 2022 and made 22 appearances in all competitions.

A statement from Villa read: "After Leat expressed her desire to be closer to her family in New Zealand, the club wished not to stand in her way.

"We would like to thank Anna for her time at the club and we wish her all the best for the future."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

London City Lionesses are hoping to sign Arsenal academy graduate Freya Godfrey on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Women's Championship side have a full squad so there would need to be a departure to make room for Godfrey's arrival.

The 19-year-old forward has two appearances for Arsenal's first team after making her debut in May 2023.

She signed her first professional contract with Arsenal a month later, before joining Charlton Athletic on loan for the 2023-24 season.

It is expected several young players at Arsenal will seek loan moves for the second half of the season with senior defender Amanda Ilestedt and midfielder Victoria Pelova nearing returns.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United returned from the winter break in style with a 7-0 win over West Brom in the Women's FA Cup, but one of the highlights of the evening was Ella Toone's comeback goal.

England international Toone came off the bench to make her first appearance since November after being sidelined with a calf injury.

Her goal was the pick of the bunch at Leigh Sports Village, with her long-range effort going in off the crossbar.

"I think in the first half of the season I had a lot going on and it probably affected me more than I realised when I was out on the pitch," Toone told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I think that injury was a bit of a blessing in disguise not only to come back stronger but fitter and mentally better as well.

"I definitely used the time well and I've missed playing, I've missed being out on the pitch, I've missed being around the girls. To come back tonight, get my first minutes, get on the scoresheet and just to be involved with a good performance feels nice. Hopefully I can continue growing."

Toone's goal was her first this season and her first since scoring at Wembley in last season's FA Cup final.

It was also her first goal since her dad passed away in September and Toone pointed to the sky when celebrating.

"It meant a lot," she added. "Not just for me but the girls as well. They've been on this journey with me. I think a lot of hard work has gone into getting me back on the pitch and feeling physically better but also mentally better.

"I feel like I'm in a good headspace at the minute. Obviously some days are a lot tougher and that's just grief.

"I'm learning to deal with that but to be back out onto the pitch tonight, it's where I love, it's my happy place."

Image source, Getty Images

Renee Slegers said she wants the "right person" to get the Arsenal manager's job.

Slegers is unbeaten in 10 games since taking charge of the team on an interim basis after Jonas Eidevall's departure, winning nine and drawing one.

Asked whether there is any update on the situation and whether she could land the role permanently, Slegers said: "The club is in a process and very detailed about it. We trust them. They are very keen to make a very good decision.

"I am putting the focus back onto the team. That is what made us so strong over the last couple of months, how the team is stepping up.

"There is a direction that the club wants to go in. We want the players to be in good hands, we want the right person for the club and the players to drive us forward. I am happy with what we achieved so far but the collective responsibility has been key to our success."

Emily Herbert
BBC Radio London

Image source, Getty Images

Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea squad has been boosted by the return of Lauren James, who impressed during the team's recent training camp in Portugal.

James had not featured since October but has recovered from a calf injury over the winter break.

"LJ is a player with a lot of quality and talent," Bompastor said. "In possession of the ball, she is one of the best in the world.

"She is dying to get back out there. She loves football, and when she's not on the pitch, she's sad. It's been a long journey for her, but she's had the right mentality throughout."

Bompastor also hinted that potential contracts could be extended, prioritising retaining key players during the January transfer window over bringing in new players.

"It's really important when we talk about the transfer window that we keep the best players in the squad," she said. "Maybe in a few weeks, we'll see some of those contracts extended."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Gareth Taylor has backed his players to recover from their "blip" before the winter break and put together a run of winning results in the second half of the campaign.

City were beaten in back-to-back games before the break, losing to Barcelona in the Champions League and Everton in the WSL.

"The reviewing of the first part of the season was good," Taylor said. "We were frustrated with the blip against Everton but that can happen. We were really struggling with the key players we lost in the team.

"The memory [of those defeats] is still there for sure, the players will have it in their minds and I will for sure. It was a positive first half of the season. Now we need to try and become strong again.

"This group of players tend to go on a good run is the second half of the season. We know we are capable of that and we are going to have to do that."