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      West Ham slam ‘hateful’ online racist abuse aimed at Hawa Cissoko as Irons star calls out trolls

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      HAWA CISSOKO hit back at trolls who sent her racist abuse online after she was sent off during West Ham’s win at Aston Villa.The Hammers confirmed the Irons defender received “racist and abusive messages” following an altercation with Villa player Sarah Mayling.
      Hawa Cissoko received racially abusive messages following West Ham’s defeat of Aston Villa in a WSL match on October 15Credit: Getty
      The Irons defender was targeted by social media accounts sending derogatory messages after she was sent off during the game at Bescot StadiumCredit: Rex
      And the France centre-back, 25, took to Twitter to share details of horrific posts sent from online accounts after the incident last Saturday.
      Language included the use of the N-word and derogatory references to her skin colour.
      In a written statement West Ham said they were “disgusted by the hateful content”.
      The club, whose WSL side face Reading at home on Sunday, have since passed the abusive posts to the police. 
      The Irons also reported accounts that targeted Cissoko to “the relevant” social media firms.
      In their statement, West Ham said: “We can confirm that we have reported a number of racist and abusive messages directed at our player following Saturday’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa.
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      “The defender received a red card for clashing with an opponent in the closing stages of the Hammers’ battling 2-1 victory at the Bescot Stadium. 
      “While we in no way condone Hawa’s actions on the pitch, for which she has apologised, everyone at the club is disgusted by the hateful content of the online messages subsequently sent to her. 
      “They have been passed directly to the police and reported to the relevant social media companies.”
      The club added: “There is no place for this in society and we condemn it unreservedly.
      “Hawa continues to receive the full support of everyone at the Club, including through our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme, which provides care and protection for the wellbeing of all staff.
      “West Ham United continues to be unequivocal in its stance – we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.
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      “We urge social media platforms and regulatory authorities to strengthen their measures to prevent this abhorrent behaviour.”
      “Today Cissoko published a written apology to Mayling, West Ham fans and her team-mates following the red card incident. 
      The defender was sent off following a physical spat with the Villa defender in the late stages of the Villans’ home clash with the Irons.
      Cissoko, who has made 35 WSL appearances since her 2020 Hammers move, tweeted: ‘There was no excuse for my reaction especially as I am considered to be a role model to others. 
      “I would like to apologise to my opponent, my team-mates and our supporters.
      “In contrast to those finding pleasure in sending me abusive and hateful messages, a massive thank you to those who have sent me words of support.”
      Hammers players including Lucy Parker tweeted words of support for Cissoko.

      And Villa boss Carla Ward hit out at abuse aimed at the defender and Mayling following her team’s narrow loss last weekend.
      Ward, whose team visit Everton on Sunday, said: “They were involved in an altercation which happened in a highly-charged and emotional game.
      “I’m sure they are both very sorry for the incident that happened but neither of them deserves to have to go through that.”
      Carla Ward criticised online abuse directed at Cissoko and MaylingCredit: PA
      This afternoon the FA denounced racially hateful posts sent to players via social media. 
      In a tweeted statement, the FA said: “This is yet another example of vile racist abuse being directed towards players in English football.
      “We strongly condemn this and we continue to be clear that perpetrators of online abuse must face real-life consequences for their actions.” More

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      Eriksson is relishing tough Champions League challenge with Chelsea facing Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid tests

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      MAGDA ERIKSSON loves to see Chelsea challenged with the team set to take on two of the most formidable sides in Europe. The WSL champs will battle Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in what has been dubbed a Champions League group of death.
      Chelsea take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first of their Champions League Group A fixturesCredit: Getty
      Chelsea hope to finish top of their Champions League group which also contains Spanish outfit Real MadridCredit: Getty
      The first of Chelsea’s Group A duels takes place tonight at 8:00 pm when they face PSG in France’s capital.
      The Blues will then play Albanian side Vllaznia at home next Thursday.
      And the Kingsmeadow side are eager to finish top of their group following their surprise exit before last season’s knockout phase.
      The Blues skipper, 29, said: “I love to be challenged in these kinds of games.
      “As a team, you really grow when you are challenged so I see it as something positive to have a tough group.
      “We’re going to be so prepared once we get out of the group stage and go into the knockout stages.
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      “That’s the way you can look at it, being positive and imagining how much more experience we’re going to get as a team, especially our younger players.
      “But coming out on the top of the group – that’s our goal.
      “That’s what we strive for. It’s going to be tough, but that’s what we hope to do.”
      The group stage opener will see the Blues play their first match in Europe this season without boss Emma Hayes on the touchline.
      The popular Chelsea chief, 45, is currently recuperating after undergoing an emergency hysterectomy this month.
      Assistant manager Denise Reddy and general manager Paul Green will oversee her players for the second time this term.
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      However, Hayes, who had a direct line to the dugout for the Blues’ win against Everton last time out, will have input remotely.
      Eriksson added: “We miss Emma a lot, she is a special character.
      “We know that we’re going to have to find ways to handle this period without her.
      “Team-wise, I don’t really have to do anything more as captain because we have great people around the team.
      “We have great people in the team, so everyone has stepped up and taken more responsibility.
      “We have an amazing staff that’s looking out for us and we have Emma looking on from home.
      “She’s going to stay in close contact with all of us from there. Paul and Denise are relaying her messages.”
      Denise Reddy will be overseeing Chelsea from the touchline in their first game in Europe this termCredit: PA
      The last Champions League battle between PSG and Chelsea saw the Blues knock the French side out at the quarter-finals in 2019.
      And PSG reached the semi-final stage last season where they were defeated by tournament winners Lyon.
      Eriksson sees the Paris club, who finished second to Lyon in France’s top tier last term, as contenders for the Champions League crown.
      The Sweden star said: “There are a lot of teams that can do it.
      “I count PSG as one of those teams that can do it.
      Kadidiatou Diani was one of France’s standout performers at the Euros this summerCredit: Getty
      “They have really, really good players for example France forward Kadidiatou Diane.
      “She’s an amazing player and she showed that throughout the Euros
      “She’s going to be a big threat that we have to find ways to stop.” More

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      Lyon 1 Arsenal 5: Mead, Maanum and Foord strike as Gunners thrash record Champions League winners in six-goal thriller

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      JONAS EIDEVALL hailed a ‘special night’ that saw Arsenal cause Lyon mayhem and fire a warning to their Champions League rivals.Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord bagged braces with Frida Maanum also on target in a blistering 5-1 Group C thrashing of their opponents.
      Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum were on target as Arsenal brushed Lyon asideCredit: Getty
      Foord was on target in both halves as the Champions League title-holders were trounced at homeCredit: Getty
      Eidevall was expecting a reality check from the contest’s reigning champs.
      But his rampaging Gunners served one themselves in an enthralling group stage opener at the Groupama Stadium.
      The result saw the injury-ravaged French giants beaten by four goals for the first time since 2006.
      It also saw the side who have several aces crocked – including star striker Ada Hegerberg – suffer their first defeat on home turf since last April.
      The Arsenal chief said: “Of course, it’s a special night and we know that we were effective. 
      “Our win was well deserved but 5-1 is an unexpected result against a very, very strong team so I’m pretty happy about that. 
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      “I’ve spoken before about doing the right things. It’s not all the time you get rewarded for that.
      “But in this game, we got rewarded and that I think will increase the likelihood of us doing the right things again in the future.” 
      The match saw Maanum find the back of the net with the midfielder given a starting spot ahead of Vivianne Miedema in a bold move by Eidevall.
      The Gunners gaffer added: “Frida was brilliant both off the ball and on it. 
      “She carried out a role that required an extreme amount of running because you basically have to defend against two players all the time.
      “Frida is one of our players with the strongest running ability.”
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      For much of the past 11 years, Sonia Bompastor’s Lyon have carried an aura of invincibility in the Champions League.
      This is the tournament they have dominated with eight trophies wins since 2011.
      But their group-stage qualification bid took an early blow as the Gunners deployed their counter-attacking flair to deadly effect.
      Maanum saw a tame early effort claimed by goalkeeper Christiane Endler.
      But Foord got the Gunners off the mark smashing in a 13th-minute opener following Kim Little’s classy long ball and a pass from Mead.
      Wendi Renard came close to bagging a leveller with the Gunners forced to clear her header.
      Mead bagged a brace for the Gunners who play Swiss side Zurich next in the tournamentCredit: Getty
      But the visitors later doubled their lead with Maanum firing home in the 22nd minute after pouncing on a rebound after Stina Blackstenius shot.
      The hosts pulled one back with Melvine Malard leaping high to nod home near the half-hour mark.
      But a brilliant free-kick rocket from Mead saw Arsenal’s two-goal lead restored.
      The second spell’s early stages saw Manuela Zinsberger comfortably save Eugenie Le Sommer’s header.
      Maanum impressed in attack doubling the Gunners’ lead against Lyon in the first halfCredit: Getty
      But then her Gunners pals cranked up the pressure with Foord’s walloped wonder goal from distance after a mishit from Renard.
      Mead slotted home Arsenal’s fifth in the 69th minute to wrap up the hefty victory.
      The result saw the Gunners go top of their group before their Emirates clash with Zurich next Thursday. More

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      Jonas Eidevall expects a ‘reality check’ for Arsenal in clash with record Champions League winners Lyon

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      JONAS EIDEVALL is relishing the “reality check” awaiting Arsenal when they take on Lyon in their toughest Champions League test yet.And the Gunners chief, 39, hailed Beth Mead’s deadly finishing after the forward was narrowly pipped to a Women’s Ballon d’Or gong.
      Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal face a Lyon side who have won their opening five games in France’s top tier this termCredit: Getty
      Lyon are contending with injury issues with star striker Ada Hegerberg one of eight players crockedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      On Wednesday night Eidevall’s side will visit the Groupama Stadium in France for their first group-stage game in the contest.
      There they will face the French football juggernauts who are the Champions League record trophy winners with eight crowns to date.
      Eidevall said: “It’s a very good reality check to see where we are at the moment.
      “That is always very exciting to see we will know exactly where we are at and what we need to continue to improve on.
      “When you play in the Champions League, it is a little bit different when you’re playing really good teams like Lyon.
      “You can’t think that you will play a game where you will be in total control.
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      “We have to expect that we will be in control in some parts of the game but so will Lyon.
      “We need to deal with facing more shots on target than we have been doing recently, facing more set pieces than we have been doing recently.”
      April 2011 was the last time the Gunners faced the French giants in the tournament.
      Back then Lyon sealed a 3-2 semi-final victory over two legs against the WSL side that included current skipper Kim Little.
      Arsenal, currently second in the WSL, go into the game without crocked centre-backs Leah Williamson and Rafaelle.
      However, their hosts are battling with an injury crisis with several aces out of action. 
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      Players sidelined include star striker Ada Hegerberg and midfielder Catarina Macario who both netted in Lyon’s 3-1 Champion League final defeat of Barcelona last term.
      Despite their lengthy injury list Caitlin Foord reckons the French giants will pose a considerable threat.
      The Gunners forward, 27, said: “Regardless of injuries or not the squad they have is very strong and the starting eleven they put out will be a world-class team.
      “It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
      Arsenal’s Lyon trip comes two days after Beth Mead, 27, finished as a runner-up to Alexia Putellas in this year’s Women’s Ballon d’Or.
      The player, who won the Golden Boot at this summer’s Euros, finished just one point behind the Barcelona star in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
      Beth Mead’s performances earned her a second-place finish at this year’s Ballon d’Or awardsCredit: Getty
      Eidevall added: “I know the goals and assists that Beth provides are absolutely world-class.
      “I also see other things in her as a person and as a player that are so valuable to us.
      “When you see her reactions when we lose the ball for me she is the fastest player that I ever had the privilege to coach in reacting to those situations and to be able to be first to those balls.”
      Arsenal will play Swiss side Zurich at the Emirates next Thursday in their second Champions League group-stage gameCredit: Getty More

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      Beth Mead laughs at caption describing her as Vivianne Miedema’s ‘guest’ after coming close to Women’s Ballon d’Or win

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      BETH MEAD saw the funny side of a photo caption describing her as a ‘guest’ of Vivianne Miedema at the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday. The stunning picture of the Arsenal stars was taken before the Euros winner was announced as runner-up to Alexia Putellas for this year’s prize.
      Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead were among four WSL stars nominated for this year’s Women’s Ballon d’Or gongCredit: Getty
      A picture of Miedema and Mead at the awards ceremony included a caption referring to Mead as the Dutch striker’s guestCredit: Getty
      The Barcelona ace, 28, claimed top spot in the Ballon d’Or’s rankings with Mead coming second following a standout season for club and country.
      Mead and Miedema were photographed together on the red carpet at the glitzy ceremony celebrating the feats of the world’s best players.
      A caption accompanying the picture, taken at Paris’s Theatre Du Chatelet, saw the forward described as a guest of her Arsenal team-mate much to the bemusement of fans on social media.
      However, Mead, 27, tweeted a light-hearted response with a thumbs up and laughing face with tears emojis and the LOL acronym for ‘laughing out loud’.

      And Netherland’s ace Miedema, 26, tweeted a reply of her own with a thumbs up emoji which read ‘happy I got to take my guest’.
      Mead reportedly finished just one point behind Putellas with the Barca skipper becoming the first player to retain the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
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      The Gunners heroine won the Euros Golden Boot after notching six goals as England played their way into the history books with their first major tournament win.
      The Yorkshire-born forward helped Arsenal take last season’s title battle to the wire with the team finishing a point behind league winners Chelsea.
      Mead, whose “Lioness: My Journey to Glory” book goes on sale in November, bagged 11 goals and eight assists in 22 top-tier matches for her club.
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      Her partner Miedema finished in 11th place in this year’s Ballon d’Or awards after ending last term as Arsenal’s top scorer with 14 goals.
      Tomorrow the WSL stars and their club play in their Champions League group stage game this term.
      The match will see them take on last term’s tournament winners Lyon who have the contest a record eight times in the past 11 years.
      Arsenal will play Lyon in the Champions League for the first time since 2011Credit: Getty More

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      Ballon d’Or history maker Alexia Putellas hopes to be back out on the pitch by the end of this season

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      ALEXIA PUTELLAS reportedly hopes to return to the pitch before the end of this term following her knee injury blow in July.  The Barcelona star, 28, was reflecting on her recovery after becoming the first player to retain the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
      Alexia Putellas made Women’s Ballon d’Or history by becoming the first player to win the gong for a second straight yearCredit: Getty
      Beth Mead’s clinical performances for Arsenal saw her finish in second placeCredit: Getty
      Sam Kerr finished in third place after ending last season as the WSL’s Golden Boot winnerCredit: Getty
      Arsenal ace Beth Mead, 27, and Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, 29, came in second and third place after impressing for their clubs last term.
      Meanwhile, Putellas’ Barcelona team-mate Lucy Bronze finished in tenth spot followed by Vivianne Miedema in eleventh place.   
      Putellas wrote her name into the history books following a standout season with her club.
      The midfielder notched up 42 goals and 22 assists across all competitions last term with her team winning their seventh top-tier title in Spain.
      The Barca captain, who missed this summer’s Euros due to a damaged knee ligament, was the Champions League’s highest scorer last season.

      She netted 11 goals in 10 games helping her club reach the contest’s final for a second successive year.
      And Putellas admits winning this year’s Ballon d’Or was a “far away” thought in her mind following the injury she sustained before the Euros.
      The Barca icon told Spanish news outlet Sport: “I wouldn’t say that it was a surprise to win again.
      “But when I got injured the day before playing the European Championship I didn’t think about it, I saw it far away.
      “But the criteria has changed and it goes by a season and the decision has been based on that
      “I was injured but they (the judging panel) have valued the rest of the season and that makes me happy.”
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      On her win, Putellas added: “I’m very happy to be back here.
      “A year ago I was able to win this prize and it pushed me to want to get even better.
      “Without my team-mates this wouldn’t have been possible.
      “I want to thank the technical staff and the coach as well. And to thank everyone involved at the club off the pitch.”
      In March and April, Putellas scored in front of record crowds of more than 91,000 fans in Barca’s Champions League quarters and semi-final wins against Real Madrid and Wolfsburg.
      In July it was announced the player would be facing a long spell on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury on international duty with Spain.
      Putellas netted 42 goals for Barcelona last seasonCredit: Alamy
      When asked when she envisages returning to the pitch, Putellas said: “With this injury, it is difficult to determine specific deadlines, but the knee is responding well, I am evolving day by day.
      “Before, all I did was think about performance and now about recovering well.
      “Everything is going as the doctors think, I hope to play this season, as long as I feel good.” More

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      Taylor backs Shaw to shine after Manchester City claim their first win in the WSL this season

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      GARETH TAYLOR reckons Khadija Bunny Shaw is leaping to the challenge of becoming Manchester City’s main threat up top.The Jamaica striker struck twice as City trounced Leicester in a 4-0 home win with Yui Hasegawa bagging a stunning debut goal.
      Shaw headed in City’s opening goal against Leicester at the Academy StadiumCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
      Lauren Hemp got on the scoresheet for the hosts who are currently eighth in the top tierCredit: Getty
      And Lauren Hemp was also on target netting the hosts’ third as Shaw took her WSL tally to three goals in three games this season.
      The striker has started in all of City’s league games following the retirement of club legend Ellen White.
      Taylor, whose team visit Tottenham next, said: “Bunny is showing what she’s capable of week-in, week-out. She had a good season last year.
      “She had good competition with Ellen and she gave us different options. At the moment she’s our one real standout option (as a striker).
      “We’ve got to other players who can potentially play there with the likes of Deyna Castellanos and Mary Fowler.
      “It’s a good start for her and a good challenge and one that she’s enjoying.”
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      On City claiming their first win this term, Shaw said: “We wanted to show our quality and bounce back from the two defeats (against Aston Villa and Chelsea).
      “It’s time we got points on the table, and we wanted to use this game to build momentum going forward.”
      The hosts went on the attack quickly with Castellanos close to getting a boot on the end of Hemp’s fifth-minute cross.
      Chloe Kelly struck the crossbar with a fierce effort in the 13th minute before Sophie Howard hit the side netting for the Foxes ten minutes later.
      City took the lead shortly after with Hemp teeing up Shaw’s leaping header home after a fine run forward from Esme Morgan.
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      The Foxes looked to pull one back with Aileen Whelan’s rifled shot blocked moments before Castellanos thumped the crossbar minutes before half-time.
      Taylor’s side doubled their lead in the 71st minute through Hemp’s header.
      Shaw then made it three pouncing on a rebound after Foxes keeper Kirstie Levell saved Alex Greenwood’s spot-kick.
      Hasegawa, making her first City appearance since her summer switch from West Ham, was among the starters who impressed.
      Yui Hasegawa scored her debut as Man City sealed a convincing win against the FoxesCredit: Getty
      The Japan star scored a stunning debut goal for Taylor’s side rifling home a right-footed shot to seal a 4-0 win.
      The Academy Stadium chief added: “Yui brings fluidity to the play, she’s good technically in between the lines and can score goals as she did in this game.
      “She is a player we have admired, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to secure her. I think she will do really well at this club.” More

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      Emma Hayes will have a link to Chelsea’s dugout and can watch training online as she recovers from a hysterectomy

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      PAUL GREEN will temporarily fill in with managing Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side as she continues with her recovery from a hysterectomy.The Blues chief, 45, will continue to be involved in the running of her team who take on Everton away on Sunday.
      Blues general manager Paul Green says Emma Hayes will “definitely still be involved” in overseeing ChelseaCredit: PA
      Hayes will have a direct link to Chelsea’s dugoutCredit: PA
      On Thursday Hayes revealed she would be away from the dugout as she recuperates from a hysterectomy operation carried out last week.
      Green, who is the Blues’ general manager, will oversee on-field matters with assistant coach Denise Reddy leading the WSL title-holders from the touchline.
      Chelsea will play the Toffees at Walton Hall Park before their first Champions League group stage game against Paris Saint-Germain next week.
      Green said: “Emma will definitely still be involved. She’ll be at home watching all the training online.
      “I’m sure it’ll be difficult for her to watch the games at home.
      “It’s business as usual for us. It just means our leader won’t be there, which is a blow but the staff and the players are experienced enough to get through this situation.
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      “You know what sort of character she is. She’ll be linked into the bench on the match days as long as she’s well enough to do that.”
      Reddy, 52, who was born in New Jersey, in the United States, has been Hayes’ No2 since 2020.
      The former Sky Blue FC boss has 15 years’ worth of top-flight coaching experience working in Sweden and Denmark as well as the USA.
      Green added: “Denise is very detailed in her coaching, probably second to none in the way that she speaks to players individually and really goes through the individual analysis of players.
      “She’ll be there on the touchline with Emma in her ear on the mic.”
      This week Blues midfield star Melanie Leupolz revealed she had given birth to her first child after announcing her pregnancy in March.
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      The Germany international, who signed for Chelsea in March 2020 after a six-year Bayern Munich spell, helped the club to a quadruple trophy win in the 2020-21 season.
      That season Leupolz made 19 top-tier appearances and helped the Blues win the league title, the Conti and FA Cups and a Community Shield.
      And the Kingsmeadow star also helped the club to reach the Champions League final for the first time in their history last year.
      When asked about the timeframe of Leupolz’s return to action, Green said: “It’s obviously great news that she’s given birth and to add a new member to the Chelsea family. We’re all delighted for her.
      “In terms of her return, that’s something the club are in communication with Melanie directly (about).
      “We’re supporting her through her maternity leave so there’s no timeline on that at that moment.
      Green says there is no timeline for Leupolz’s return to action for Chelsea following the birth of her first childCredit: Getty
      “I think you can see from the pictures she put out, she’s in incredible shape and looking to get back as soon as possible.
      “But we’ve got to make sure the timing’s right and the timing’s appropriate when she feels ready and physically she’s able to do that.
      “So from our side, there’s no pressure; we want her to come back in when she’s ready.” More