Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

The last weekend of the WSL before the international break – and boy did it deliver! Chloe and Rachel are here to unpack it all.

Is the pressure getting to Renée Slegers? How did Spurs get it so wrong? And are we seeing Sarina Wiegman's new ruthless era?

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For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve not even said goodbye to September and we’re already saying goodbye to our first manager this season. Time’s up for Natalia Arroyo at Aston Villa after a thrashing by Tottenham, who are flying high in the table. Is it too early or did Villa need to move on?

Chloe and Rachel discuss that issue and many more, including (of course) Arsenal’s continued lack of attacking intensity. In Chloe’s words, the fire is lit but nothing’s cooking. Plus, we take a look at Disney+’s Champions League coverage, Lionesses squad news and Océane Hurtré defying the laws of physics twice in one game.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are just receiving this episode: this edition of Upfront was originally recorded and released on Tuesday 22nd September. We apologise for the delay pulling through to podcast apps.

60 shots, 2 goals for Arsenal so far this term. Manchester United were the latest team to keep their attackers (almost) at bay. After coming away with a point from a physical battle at the Emirates, have Eva Olid’s side turned a corner?

On the blue side of Manchester it was a third win in a row for the defending champions, but an improved Liverpool may have exposed some of City’s weaker areas.

Finally, Chloe and Rachel are joined by FootballCo's Lead Women’s Football Writer and certified Friend of the Pod Ameé Ruszkai to preview the return of the Champions League!

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

*Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!*

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second weekend of the WSL, and yet more upsets. But should we be surprised by any of them?

Chloe and Rachel reflect on Chelsea's ruthless domination of Man United and some more troubling signs for Eva Olid. Plus, West Ham's frontline delivers the goods as we thought they might – but against the mighty London City! And sadly Michelle Kang didn't even make the journey to Dagenham...

And finally, we discuss Arsenal – yet again – drawing against a staunch defence at home after Crystal Palace's heroics. But are there some differences to previous seasons?

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What an opening weekend in the WSL! A sloppy Manchester United were cast aside by a sharp-looking London City Lionesses as Alexia Putellas made her debut, Arsenal squeezed past Brighton and Chelsea were held to a draw by a Kirsty Hanson-less Aston Villa.

Plus, newly-promoted sides faced very different fates. Crystal Palace got a massive (but controversial) win against Everton and Charlton had a tough time against Liverpool.

Chloe and Rachel are on hand to guide you through it all.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where to begin? The season is almost upon us and, luckily for you lovely lot, Chloe and Rachel are on hand to provide the most comprehensive of previews.

First, the title contenders. Manchester City managed to keep hold of Bunny Shaw amid injury worries, Georgia Stanway could be the missing piece at Arsenal and Chelsea might be gearing up for a big return to the top spot. It’s just too close to call.

Plus, there’s plenty of time given to the league’s three newbies and every other WSL club besides. There are surely some surprises in store.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe and Rachel are back together! Today, we catch up on the biggest stories of the summer – and there's been A LOT...

We kick off with Chelsea and Arsenal's rebuilds: which squad looks refreshed and which looks stronger than ever? Elsewhere, London City Lionesses have a statement summer – in case you've been living under a rock, Alexia Putellas IS officially in Bromley – and we take a closer look at Manchester United. It's not looking good on the red side of Manchester...

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with a bang! Rachel brings two special interviews from Australia on Chelsea's pre-season tour: Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones are on the pod!

They discuss the importance of pre-season after some huge summer changes at Chelsea, their excitement for the WSL, and look ahead to a potentially marathon campaign for club and country. Join us!

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having both missed out on automatic qualification for the World Cup, England and Ireland each face the play-offs in the autumn! England may have beaten Ukraine, but got the game plan very wrong against the Spanish, who appeared to be wearing boots that magnetised the ball to their feet.

In other seismic news, it looks like two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is London City-bound! Chloe and Rachel try to wrap their heads around what this could mean for the WSL. Finally, women’s football infrastructure expert Sarah Rock joins us to chat about purpose-built stadiums for the women’s game and the divisive idea of ‘regional grounds’.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brighton put up a good fight but were ultimately blown away by Manchester City in the FA Cup Final. What’s more, Andrée Jeglertz’ team has been given a massive boost by Bunny Shaw announcing she’ll be staying! Could this be the start of a sky blue dynasty?

While City fans celebrate, Arsenal fans have been left somewhere between shocked and fuming by Katie McCabe’s transfer to rivals Chelsea. It is hard to resist the champions of the World Sevens, in fairness. Rachel was on the ground at that wacky tournament and is here to tell us all about it.

Finally, it’s that time again. England vs Spain for what feels like the millionth time.

Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube! Email us [email protected].

For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

**Please rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Upfront is your definitive women's football podcast, the Lionesses and every team in the WSL – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, and West Ham United. We'll take you inside the biggest rivalries, like Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man City vs Manchester United. Subscribe for new podcasts every Tuesday throughout the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.