BBC Women's Football Weekly

The Media Day Diaries continue as Ben Haines heads to Cobham Training Centre, the home of Chelsea Football Club.
First up, Ellie Carpenter chats about her debut season at the club, reuniting with Melvine Malard, and her love of playing at Stamford Bridge. Lucy Bronze and her golden mic are back on the pod to discuss extending her contract and the highlight of her summer in Colombia. Plus, Lauren James sits down with Ben to talk about coming out of her shell, sharpening her mindset, and supporting her brother Reece at the World Cup.
Keira Walsh is also back on the pod! She chats to Ben about having close friend Georgia Stanway nearby in London, the influx of star players to the WSL, and being part of the chasing pack this season. After 11 years at Arsenal, new signing Katie McCabe opens up about her reasons for moving to Chelsea and why she thinks this will be the best WSL season yet.
Head coach Sonia Bompastor caps off the episode by reflecting on the lessons learned last season, the value of player versatility, and her love of cycling.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Ben Haines
01:15 - Ellie Carpenter interview.
09:05 - Lucy Bronze interview.
19:17 - Lauren James interview.
28:30 - Keira Walsh interview.
39:35 - Katie McCabe interview.
52:25 - Sonia Bompastor interview.

Ben Haines is back on the road and this time he's at the home of reigning WSL champions, Manchester City.
After 9 years at Arsenal, new signing Beth Mead kicks things off to chat new environments, moving back up north and being suited to Man City’s style of play. Vice-captain Kerstin Casparij pops by to reflect on last year’s success and becoming the hunted rather than the hunters. Head coach Andrée Jeglertz also joins Ben to talk dressing room culture, juggling Champions League football this season and his new tattoo.
Vivianne Miedema is back on the pod and chats to Ben about last season’s celebrations, enhancing their attack and reveals the unique place she keeps her medals! Grace Clinton tells us about how she switched off over summer, her spiritual nature and her World Cup aspirations. Plus Bunny Shaw wraps things up in style by discussing her aerial ability, another golden boot and THAT contract-extension announcement.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Ben Haines is back on the road, this time at the Etihad Campus.
00:51 - Beth Mead interview.
10:54 - Kerstin Casparij interview.
15:56 - Andrée Jeglertz interview.
26:07 - Vivianne Miedema interview.
35:38 - Grace Clinton interview.
46:23 - Bunny Shaw interview.

Ben Haines is taking the podcast on the road and visiting as many clubs as possible before the 2026/27 WSL season gets underway. First up, we’re down at the Arsenal training centre with a dream 5-a-side line up.
Ben catches up with two of Arsenal’s new recruits, England midfielder Georgia Stanway and Spanish full-back Ona Batlle. Georgia talks about first day nerves, becoming a Londoner and how she grew over her time in Munich, and Ona chats about her development at Barcelona, making new connections and the challenge of being back in the WSL.
Two of Arsenal’s leaders at the back, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Steph Catley, also join Ben. Lotte reflects on her summer break, her personal evolution and those she brings on the journey with her, and Steph opens up about setting standards, club values and despite being on the other side of the world, Arsenal feeling like home.
Last but not least, head coach Renée Slegers sits down with Ben to talk about getting their transfer business done early, her rousing team talks and the club’s bold ambitions for the season.
TIMECODES:
00:03 - Ben Haines is taking the pod on the road, starting in London Colney.
01:30 - Georgia Stanway interview.
11:50 - Ona Batlle interview.
21:40 - Lotte Wubben-Moy interview.
33:16 - Steph Catley interview.
42:55 - Renée Slegers interview.

Widely regarded as one of the biggest signings in WSL history, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas sits down with Ben Haines and Em Sanders at the London City Lionesses media day.
Putellas left Barcelona after 14 years in May and chats to Ben and Em about a whirlwind few weeks after moving to London and whether she has personally been aware of the hype around her transfer to the Women's Super League.
Alexia opens up about being called ‘La Reina’, embracing change and after winning 38 trophies with Barcelona, including four Champions League titles, how she will adapt to being an underdog with her new team.
Ben and Em also chat to the Spanish superstar about learning a new language, her leadership on the pitch and give her a brief introduction to English food culture.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Ben and Em are reunited at the London City Lionesses media day
03:36 - Alexia Putellas joins the pod!
04:06 - How have the last few weeks been for her.
06:05 - Is she aware of her status and the huge interest around her transfer.
09:03 - On enjoying everything since her ACL and embracing change.
10:55 - On being called ‘La Reina’ and being a coach on the pitch.
13:50 - Visits to London and leaving Barcelona.
15:50 - How hard will it be to adapt to being an underdog at London City Lionesses.
17:25 - Learning English and communicating on the pitch.
20:45 - On pre-season with her new teammates so far.
21:40 - What does she miss about Barcelona and what has she liked so far about London.
23:12 - Ben and Em gift Alexia ‘welcome to England’ starter pack.
26:10 - Ben and Em reflect on their time with Alexia.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are together for the final time this season to react to the June international break which saw England miss out on automatic qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Ellen and Jen reflect on that one crucial defeat to world champions Spain in Mallorca, which ultimately cost the Lionesses top spot in League A3, and evaluate the new European qualifying process with only four direct qualification spots at the end of the league phase.
Scotland finished top of group B4 after back-to-back wins against Israel. Jen praises captain Caroline Weir for her performances in both games, plus we hear from Claire Emslie who has spoken to BBC Radio Scotland after being back with the national team for the first time since giving birth to her son Jamie in December.
And with the curtain falling on the 2025/26 season, the summer transfer window is only just getting started. The team look ahead to what is set to be an unprecedented summer transfer window and the names that could shake up the WSL.
TIMECODES
00:06 - Ellen, Jen and Ben are together for the last time this season!
03:30 - Reaction to England’s 4-0 defeat in Spain, which cost them automatic qualification
12:20 - Georgia Stanway and Beth Mead post-match interviews after their 3-0 win against Ukraine.
14:45 - Ellen and Jen evaluate the league stage of the Women's European qualifiers with only four direct qualification spots.
22:25 - Scotland finish top of their group after two wins over Israel.
24:30 - Just the seven goals for captain Caroline Weir during this international break!
29:15 - Claire Emslie chats to BBC Scotland’s Brian McLauchlin after being back in a Scotland jersey for the first time since giving birth.
34:20 - Erin Cuthbert has returned to Chelsea for "a short period of rehabilitation”.
36:50 - A round of up Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland’s progress.
39:45 - WSL transfer chat including Katie McCabe to Chelsea.