Articles.

The Articles page features long-form journalism, opinion pieces, analysis, interviews, and features that go beyond the headlines. This section explores the stories, themes, and people behind women’s football, offering deeper context, thoughtful commentary, and original storytelling from across the sport.

2026

Why Chelsea Can’t Leave Stamford Bridge: The History, Power and Problem That Defines the Club

Chelsea FC was founded in 1905 with a clear purpose: to play its home matches at Stamford Bridge, according to the club. From the very beginning, the stadium shaped Chelsea’s identity, and few features capture that history better than the Shed Wall. The famous Shed End was initially constructed to accommodate bookmakers during greyhound racing nights, long before football entirely took over the site. Today, the wall attached to the Shed End is the only surviving element of that original structure, a rare physical link to the ground’s earliest days.

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Chelsea and Arsenal rivalry: The players who represented both London giants

Chelsea and Arsenal are notorious for their decades-long rivalry in women’s football, spanning multiple competitions, with silverware being shared by the two clubs. It’s not just titles they share, but players as well. Here is a list of players who have played for both London teams. (This is not an exhaustive list) The biggest reason for the transition of power is Emma Hayes, the Arsenal assistant manager in 2006-07, then Chelsea manager years later, where she brought stars from that era at Arsenal to Chelsea.

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Arsenal’s goalkeeper dilemma as the WSL returns from the winter break

As the WSL returns from the winter break and games come thick and fast, this is a time when teams are either made or broken. What separates title contenders from title winners is squad depth, and with the January window open, this is when sides bolster their squads in light of the first half of the season, especially in the wake of injuries.

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The Biggest January Transfers in Women’s Football History That Changed the Game

As the January transfer window has opened, let's look back at the best and biggest women’s football January transfers. The January transfer window is viewed very differently from the summer one. It's about short-term solutions, filling gaps, and ensuring the squad's depth remains available even after players get injured. It’s a time for clubs to reflect on the first half of the season and what they need to do in the second half, or what they need to bring in. January is the window clubs look at Scandinavia and the US for players, as their seasons are over, and players are more likely to be available on a free transfer.

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2025

The 10 Biggest Women’s Football Crowds of 2025 How History Was Made

As we walk into 2026, here are the top 10 most-attended women’s football games from 2025 across the world and what happened in those games. The pattern is big stars, big teams, and big stadiums, all of which shape this list from other matches. The list is dominated by the lionesses and Arsenal, who won the marketing PR battle.

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Big Moments, Bigger Statements: The Performances That Defined the Lionesses’ Rise

Big individuals. Big moments. Significant moments for the Lionesses. England’s recent run has not only been defined by results but by individuals stepping forward at defining moments. From debut goals scored in seconds to hat-tricks under the Wembley lights, these performances have shaped belief around the Lionesses and hinted at what lies ahead. Whether it is new faces announcing themselves or established leaders adding to their legacy, each moment feels like part of a wider story building towards sustained dominance.

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The Players Who Defined Women’s Football in 2025: Records, Resilience and Ruthless Brilliance

2025 was a year of change, records and key players. With the Euros, this list is dominated by players from Europe, as the leagues and international tournaments there are the strongest and most competitive in the world. From Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea, these teams have dominated domestically or on the European stage. From England to Spain, it is undoubtedly and deservedly at the top of this list, with the two nations being the only ones to win titles this year. 

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Moments That Defined 2025: The Comebacks, Goals and Belief That Made the Lionesses Unstoppable

England’s 2025 was not built on control or comfort, but on resistance, belief, and an extraordinary ability to survive when everything seemed to be slipping away. This Lionesses side did not dominate tournaments in the traditional sense. Instead, they endured them, bending under pressure without ever breaking, finding solutions in moments when the margins were thinnest and the noise loudest. By the end of the year, England were no longer simply champions. They were something more compelling. They were the queens of the comeback.

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FIFA Women’s Best XI 2025: England & Spain Define a Year of Dominance

England and Spain dominated the FIFA Women’s Best XI of 2025, a reflection of a year in which both nations set the standard at club and international level. Four England players and seven from Spain were selected, underlining their influence across the biggest stages in women’s football. The honours were shared between just three clubs – Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona – each enjoying remarkable success. Chelsea completed a domestic treble, Arsenal lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and Barcelona swept their domestic competitions while finishing as Champions League finalists.

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Arsenal v Chelsea 

Ultimate Arsenal vs Chelsea Women’s All-Time XI: Legends Who Shaped London Football

Have I maybe somewhat cheated… but many players have played for both teams in their careers. Many players started their careers at Arsenal, which was the largest women’s team in England and one of the first clubs to invest in women’s football in the 2010s. Chelsea came into the fold. This is the ultimate starting XI of retired players. They were chosen based on their abilities while at the clubs in question, not on their abilities elsewhere in their careers. 

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The must-watch WSL fixtures before the winter break

We are just weeks into the WSL season, and the competition is already close. Here is my list of the must-watch games coming up before the winner break that you should tune into, from derby days to main stadium action to big team rivals fighting it out on the biggest stages.

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Ballon d’Or Féminin 2025: Who Should Really Win the Crown?

The Ballon d'Or Féminin is awarded based on a player's overall performance, including individual skill, team achievements, and fair play. A panel of 50 journalists from the top 50 women's football nations, as ranked by FIFA, vote for their top 10 players from a 30-player shortlist. The points system awards 15 points for first place, 12 for second, and so on down to 1 point for tenth place. 

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Ballon d’Or Féminin 2025: Will Barça Dominate Again—or Is It Time for a New Queen?

The Ballon d'Or Féminin is awarded based on a player's overall performance, including individual skill, team achievements, and fair play. A panel of 50 journalists from the top 50 women's football nations, as ranked by FIFA, vote for their top 10 players from a 30-player shortlist. The points system awards 15 points for first place, 12 for second, and so on down to 1 point for tenth place. The women's award started in 2018, with Ada Hegerberg as the first winner. Aitana Bonmati was the most recent winner for the second time. The voting has a Spanish/ Barcelona bias.

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The Johan Cruyff Trophy: History, Criteria, and the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or Coaching Nominees

The award is given to the best manager in the world based on individual and team achievements, as well as exhibiting class and fair play. The coach’s success is leading their team to victories, trophies and overall positive results throughout the season. The coach’s impact on their team's performance includes tactical decisions, player development, and leadership qualities. 

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First-Ever Women’s Yashin Trophy: The Five Goalkeepers Who Owned 2024/25

The award is named after Lev Yashin, the first and only goalkeeper to win a Ballon d'Or, a feat no other goalkeeper has yet accomplished. He was known for his athleticism, positioning, imposing presence in goal, and acrobatic reflex saves. He was also deputy chairman of the Football Federation of the Soviet Union. On the men’s side, it was created in 2019. It is awarded to the best goalkeeper. Voting for this award is performed by journalists based on a shortlist of 10. It is an award based on three main criteria: Individual performances, decisive and impressive character, team performances and achievements and class and fair play.

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Ballon d’Or Féminin 2025: Who Will Take the Crown?

The race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin is heating up—and this year, it’s shaping into a battle of Europe. With the Euros playing a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and performances, and the power rankings dominated by players from Spain and England, the question now isn’t just who’s been good—it’s who’s been unignorable.

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2024/2025 season articles

2023/2024 season articles 

Places to watch Euro 2024

The Smell of beer and English pride cracks down on England fans this summer with the ever-strong optimism that this will be our tournament to win. 

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