
Chelsea and City trade blows and a new era of seven-a-side – Women's Football Weekly
On this week's Guardian Women's Football Weekly: the panel revisit the double header between Manchester City and Chelsea as the two teams went toe-to-toe twice in four days. Vivianne Miedema starred in a Champions League win for City before Chelsea struck back in the WSL. With the two sides preparing to meet again in midweek, the panel assess the balance of power.
It was a mixed week for Arsenal after their Champions League loss to Real Madrid on a poor pitch and a dominant win over Liverpool at the Emirates. Meanwhile, the WSL relegation battle heats up with Leicester edging Brighton and Everton crusing past Palace. Plus, the panel asks Chris Paouros why Tottenham can't score goals after Spurs faltered away at West Ham.
That's not all. There's the record-breaking Tyne-Wear derby in the Championship, Bournemouth's title glory in the FAWNL, and the intriguing launch of a new global World Sevens competition. Is it another money-making scheme, or is it good for the women's game?
Plus, there's Natalia Arroyo's honesty, Manchester United's statement win, and Chris sings a song all about Suzy Wrack – on today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly.
Join the Fantasy League this season on FantasyWSL.net. Code GUARDIANWFW.
Sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter – all you need to do is search 'Moving the Goalposts sign up' or follow this link.
Support the Guardian here.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
10 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Russell Martin close to taking over as Rangers manager on three-year deal
Rangers are finalising a deal to appoint Russell Martin as their new head coach. The 39-year-old former Southampton manager will be installed in the Ibrox hotseat in the next 48 hours, barring any last-minute hitches, on a three-year deal. The appointment of a new man at the helm is the latest in a series of major changes at the club. An American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises secured a majority shareholding on Friday and the new sporting director, Kevin Thelwell, officially began work on Monday, when he said that the recruitment of a new head coach would come to a conclusion 'in the coming days'. Outgoing Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo Ancelotti, and Martin were the two frontrunners for the post, vacated by Philippe Clement in February, with the former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson taking over to the end of the season, which ended without a trophy. However, it is Martin, the former MK Dons and Swansea manager who had a short loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, who will be tasked with wrestling the power back from the other side of the city where Celtic this season won their 13th Premiership title in 14 seasons and have a stranglehold on Scottish football. The former Scotland international brought Southampton up to the Premier League through the playoffs in 2024 but was sacked in December as they headed back towards the Championship with one win from their first 16 games.


The Guardian
10 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Chelsea confirm £30m signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich on six-year deal
Chelsea have strengthened their attack by completing the £30m signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich. The Stamford Bridge club were determined to bring in a new striker this summer and have moved swiftly to secure one of their top targets. Delap, who has signed a six-year deal, chose to join Chelsea after receiving pitches from Everton, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. The 22-year-old scored 12 goals for Ipswich last season and was available at an affordable price following their relegation from the Premier League. Chelsea met the release clause in his contract last week. Enzo Maresca knows Delap from his time at Manchester City and played a key role in convincing the England Under-21 international to pick Chelsea. The forward, who joined City from Ipswich last summer, has been asked to miss the Under-21 European Championship in order to represent his new team at the Club World Cup. 'I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach,' Delap told Chelsea's website. 'It's going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.' It remains to be seen if Delap is the last forward to join Chelsea this summer. They are also interested in the Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The arrival of another forward would raise questions over Nicolas Jackson's future.


The Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea ANNOUNCE Liam Delap, Wirtz to Liverpool latest, Man City AGREE £46.3m Reijnders deal
THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are finally here - with some huge deals already in the pipeline. Liam Delap has completed a £30m move from Ipswich to Chelsea. Elsewhere, Liverpool are entering a final round of talks for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, with a deal expected to be struck in the coming days. Today, 19:08 By Kostas Lianos City confident over Ait-Nouri deal Manchester City are optimistic of signing Wolves ace Rayan Aït-Nouri. That is according to The Guardian, who report City are yet to bid for Ait-Nouri but he is still regarded as a primary target. Man City boss Pep Guardiola has been keen to strengthen at left-back after playing centre-back Josko Gvardiol and midfielder Nico O'Reilly in that position. The Citizens initially eyed Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez but he is close to joining Liverpool. Wolves, though, value Ait-Nouri at about £50million. Today, 18:02 By Kostas Lianos Liverpool target Kerkez Liverpool are reportedly close to sealing a deal to sign Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, there is "one more round of talks" to get the deal "over the line". The Reds are finalising personal terms with Kerkez, which were agreed last week. The full-back has attracted immense interest ahead of the summer transfer window. Today, 16:19 By Kostas Lianos Modric nearing Milan move AC Milan are confident of signing Luka Modric after his departure from Real Madrid. According to transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio, the two parties came to a verbal agreement over, The midfielder had been linked with Inter Miami, Rangers and Al-Nassr. However, Milan are thought to be confident of finalising a deal as soon as later today. Today, 15:14 By Katherine Walsh What next for Sterling? As things stand, Raheem Sterling is due to return to Chelsea when his Arsenal loan ends on 30 June. He is not expected to travel to the United States next week with Chelsea for the Club World Cup. Talks will be held this month about his future. He has two years left on his Chelsea contract. Today, 14:30 By Katherine Walsh Diaz set for stay Liverpool have reportedly no intention of selling Luis Diaz. The winger had been linked with an exit of Anfield this summer with Saudi clubs keen. However, the Mirror have claimed that the Reds are keen to keep hold of Diaz this summer. The report has added that there have been no offers for the Colombian thus far. Today, 13:55 By Henry Tomlinson Partey talks ongoing Thomas Partey's contract is set to expire at Arsenal but the club have not given up on keeping him. Having released 16 players the Gunners are continuing discussion over a new contract with the midfielder. Barcelona have been tipped with an interest in the former Atletico Madrid man. Today, 13:45 By Henry Tomlinson Ramsdale interest West Ham are interested in signing Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Englishman is set for a move away from St Mary's as the club looks to cash in and cut his wages from the bill. The Hammers are keen to add competition to Alphonse Areola following the exit of veteran Lukasz Fabianski. Today, 13:37 By Henry Tomlinson Rashford pay cut Marcus Rashford is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to push through a move to Barcelona this summer. Marca have claimed that the Manchester United forward will reduce his £350,000-a-week salary to seal an exit. Today, 13:30 By Henry Tomlinson Fulham exits Fulham have announced that THIRTEEN players have left the club upon the expiry of their contracts. Here are the players who are now without a club... Carlos Vinicius Willian Terry Ablade Luca Ashby-Hammond Chris Donnell Imani Lanquedoc Connor McAvoy Delano McCoy-Splatt Callum McFarlane Damon Park Stefan Parkes Luca Picotto Oscar Varney Today, 13:15 By Henry Tomlinson Not for keeps Chelsea have reportedly put Djordje Petrovic up for sale this summer. The Guardian have claimed that the stopper's price tag is £21million. He has been linked with the likes of West Ham, AS Monaco and Leeds United. Today, 13:08 By Henry Tomlinson Arsenal have announced the exits of 17 players after their contracts came to an end. Stars such as Jorginho and Kieran Tierney have left the first team. Here is the full list of exits: Nathan Butler-Oyedeji Reece Clairmont Khayon Edwards Jakai Fisher Romari Forde Jimi Gower Jack Henry-Francis Jorginho Max Kuczynski Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand Ismail M'Hand Neto Brian Okonkwo Elian Quesada-Thorn Zacariah Shuaib Raheem Sterling Kieran Tierney Today, 13:00 By Henry Tomlinson Blues in for Kudus Chelsea have made a move to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham. The Ghanaian winger has previously been linked to both Arsenal and Manchester United. The Mail have claimed that the Blues are keen on the star. The West London side have from July 1 to July 10 which is when his £85million release clause is active. Today, 12:46 By Henry Tomlinson Carsley stay Lee Carsley has signed an extension to remain the England Under-21s coach. He has committed himself to the job until 2027. Today, 12:30 By Henry Tomlinson Son and done Son Heung-min could leave Tottenham after finally winning a trophy with the club. The 32-year-old forward has been tipped with a switch for the Saudi Pro League by The Telegraph. The report claims that he could be offered some big contracts to make the move. Today, 12:00 By Blues stall Chelsea's move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has currently stalled. The Blues are not close to meeting the Serie A side's valuation, according to Fabrizio Romano. It is suggested that Chelsea are only willing to pay £8.4million while his valuation is £25m. Romano has claimed that Chelsea could walk away from a deal by Monday. Today, 11:43 By Gary Stonehouse Joao about that Newcastle United are considering a swoop for Brighton star Joao Pedro - three years after missing out on him. The Seagulls striker, 23, was axed for the last two games of the season by boss Fabian Hurzeler after a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke. Brighton initially slapped a £70m price tag on the Brazilian but Sun Sport understands that they will be willing to do business for £59m. Eddie Howe is known to be a big admirer of the player and even came close to bringing him to St. James' Park in 2022 from Watford for £30m only for that deal to fall through. By Henry Tomlinson Rashford switch Marcus Rashford is gaining interest from Serie A giants Inter Milan. The forward spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, with his red-hot form securing him a place back in the England squad. Sources close to Rashford told SunSport he doesn't see a future at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim. The pair reportedly fell out last season with the Portuguese manager unhappy with Rashford's attitude during training and off the field. And that means Rashford is frantically searching for a new club, which has put Inter Milan on red-alert. The Italian giants are looking to rebuild their side in the wake of the Champions League final demolition at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. Today, 10:56 By Henry Tomlinson DONE DEAL: La Fee in Sunderland have confirmed Enzo Le Fee will join them permanently for £20m after helping the club to promotion. The French star, 25, reunited with his former Lorient boss Regis Le Bris in January on a six-month loan from Roma that ended with Championship play-off glory. Winger Le Fee has now penned a four-year contract to become the Black Cats' first summer signing. Today, 10:30 By Henry Tomlinson Williams contract Premier League sides have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams. The winger has been a long-term target for Arsenal and Chelsea since his exploits at Euro 2024. However, he is now reportedly negotiating a new contract in the Basque Country. This means that his £48million release clause could be raised significantly. Today, 10:09 By Henry Tomlinson BREAKING: Cherki to City Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Rayan Cherki. The Lyon star is next on the list for Pep Guardiola's side. Fabrizio Romano has reported that a bid will be submitted to Lyon TODAY. Today, 10:00 By Henry Tomlinson Mbeumo demands Bryan Mbeumo is reportedly demanding a stunning wage increase to join Manchester United. The Times has claimed that the Brentford star is keen to see his £50,000-a-week wage jump up. It is reported that Mbeumo is demanding a weekly pay packet of £250,000. Today, 09:00 By Henry Tomlinson Rodrygo talks Arsenal target Rodrygo reportedly wants talks with Real Madrid over his future. The Brazilian is aware of interest from Arsenal as well as Chelsea and Man City. However, before he makes a final decision he wants to speak to new manager Xabi Alonso before making a final decision.