Women’s football

CHELSEA are reportedly in talks to sign Lyon ace Sakina Karchaoui who is set to leave the French outfit in the next few weeks.The Blues are said to be keen admirers of the left-back and have already began to have “positive” talks with her.
Karchaoui could be on her to ChelseaCredit: Rex
On Twitter, RMC journalist Loic Tanzi, wrote: “Chelsea really like the profile of Sakina Karchaoui who could leave OL in the coming weeks.
“Discussions with the London club are deemed positive.”
His claims were echoed by News In 24, who reported that Karchaoui was on her way out of Lyon due to a contract row.
The French giants, who lost their Division 1 crown of 14 years to rivals PSG on the weekend, reckon Karchaoui’s wage demands are too high.
Emma Hayes’ side are set to face stiff competition from PSG and Champions League winners Barcelona for her signature.
The Blues have been linked with Karchaoui, who played 18 of Lyon’s 22 domestic games this season for a few years.
Last season, it was reported that she was en route to Chelsea but opted for a move to Lyon in the end.
The ex-Montpellier star even wished the Blues good luck ahead of their Champions League quarter final game against Wolfsburg in 2018.
It has been reported that the Blues have began positive talks with the full-back

Karchaoui had responded to pundit Alex Scott’s tweet praising Chelsea and claiming that she was en route to becoming one of the best full backs in the game.
Scott wrote: “Impressive from Chelsea tonight and great that 2 teams are through to the @UWCL semi final.
“What a player @SakinaKarchaoui is! going to be one of the best full backs in the women’s game! One to watch at next years World Cup!!”
And Karchaoui replied: “Thank you very much it’s nice, good luck to Chelsea,” with a wink.
If the rumours prove true, Karchaoui will be a welcome addition to Hayes’ side.
Hayes is eager to bolster her defence after they were run riot by Barca’s attack in the Champions League final.
Karchaoui was named the top young player in the French Division 1 in 2017.
She also won a World Cup Under-17 winner medal with France in 2012.
Alex Scott claimed that Karchaoui will be one of the best defenders in the world a few years agoCredit: Getty – Contributor
Chelsea staff carefully place second Champions League trophy in their cabinet after its arrival at Stamford Bridge More

MAEVA CLEMARON has announced her departure from Everton after two years at the club.The French strike sensation said goodbye to the club on social media.
Clemaron said her good-byes to Everton on social mediaCredit: Rex Features
The 28-year old reflected on her time with Willie Kirk’s side and revealed she built some relationships that will last a life-time there.
She wrote: “My adventure with @evertonwomen is ended, I really want to say a massive thank you to all the club!
“Everton permit me to have the opportunity to come in England and it was one of my dreams after getting my diploma a few years ago to discover the UK, improve with the @barclaysfawsl and learn their culture of football and life!
“I want particulary to say thank you to my teammates for this last two years!
“I couldn’t imagine a better welcome and integration in the team, despite my english level when I came!
“You were great and really patient with me so thank you again!
“I’m really thankful to you all and I’m happy to came first in the north of England to discover this part of the country!”

“I’m also glad to have meet some exceptional people and create some strong friendly relations!!
“To finish I want to say that I wish all the best to Everton, to theirs great fans, and obviously to my teammates!!Once a blue, always a blue!
“Thank you Toffees! Mav your first Frenchie.”
But despite sharing the news of her exit, the midfielder offered no insight into where she was heading next.
She ended her farewell with: “The end of an experience is always the start of an other.
“Good summer and holiday to everyone.”
The French national joined the Toffees from FC Fluery in 2019 and made 19 appearances during her time at Walton Hall Park.
Clemaron was part of the Toffees squad that lost 3-1 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley last November.
Although she was part of the losing side, she revealed that playing at the infamous stadium was the “biggest moment in her career.”
It even trumped reaching the World Cup quarter finals with France in 2019.
But the midfielder didn’t reveal where she was heading nextCredit: Getty
She said: “One of the best moments in my career. Especially as the fans have had to wait all this time.”
Clemaron also helped Kirk’s team to a fifth place finish in the Women’s Super League last season.
But she’ll miss out on the Scotsman’s squad reshuffle as he plans to mount an assault for a coveted Champions League spot next term.
It’s been claimed the Toffees boss has several transfers lined up and isn’t scared to get the cheque-book out to land those on his wish-list.
He said: “Inevitably there probably will have to be fees.
“Contracts are as long as they have ever been in the women’s game, so it is not as simple as letting players run down their contract and then signing them.
“Clubs work much more long-term now which means the players we are targeting are not necessarily free transfers.
“So we might have to pay a couple of fees.”
She was part of the squad that lost to Man City in the FA Cup final last year at WembleyCredit: Getty
Everton ‘plot shock Philippe Coutinho transfer and hope to land Barcelona and ex-Liverpool star for just £35m’ More

STEPH CATLEY has revealed that her debut Arsenal season has been the most difficult in her career so far.After joining the Gunners from Reign FC in 2020, the Aussie defender spent most of her first campaign in the treatment room due to a series of injuries.
Catley says her first season with Arsenal was the hardest of her career due to injuryCredit: Alamy
She only managed to fit in six appearances last term which pushed her mentally and physically.
In an interview with My Football, the Matildas star spoke on just how hard it was to cope with the injuries.
The 27-year-old said: “It’s definitely been the hardest year of my football career.
“The injuries just kept coming and I couldn’t find the answers. But I found strength in myself I didn’t know I had and also strength in my relationships with the people around me.
“I learnt to lean on people and overall I feel like I’ve come out the other side of it all a much better athlete.

“I’m better at preparing, I feel stronger physically and mentally and just have a real appreciation for being out on the field every day doing what I love.
“I’m feeling really good. My body feels strong and I’ve been back on the field for the last few months now so I’ve got a good amount of load back there too.
“But mentally I feel really fresh and just excited to be on the field every single day.”
Arsenal star Aubameyang scores world-class goal in kickabout with local team Le Mans More

LEICESTER CITY have retained the services of duo Ashleigh Plumptre and Charlie Devlin who both signed contract extensions at the club.The Foxes tied down the pair for the next few years as they look to secure their place in the WSL.
Plumptre said she’s thrilled to be at her home-town club for another two yearsCredit: Getty
Devlin revealed she’s happy to remain with the FoxesCredit: Getty
And both players were delighted to help Jonathan Morgan’s side in their effort to do so.
Life-long Foxes fan Plumptre joined the club last season from US side LA Galaxy and revealed she’s grateful to remain with her home-town club.
She beamed on Instagram: “So grateful to be spending another two years at this special club. Home is where the heart is.”
The defender previously played in the WSL with former top-tier side Notts County in 2014.
She then joined US college side USC Trojans in 2016 and then moved to Galaxy in 2019.
Plumptre returned to Leicester the following year, helping them win the Championship trophy.
And Devlin, who also joined the Foxes last season, said she was happy to sign her new deal.

She said: “Happy to sign a new contract with this amazing club.”
The 23-year-old was playing part-time football before Morgan came in a swooped her from Charlton Athletic.
She scored three goals for the Foxes last term and will be eager to increase her tally for the club next season.
And Morgan will be able to draw upon her knowledge of the WSL which Devlin played in for Arsenal in 2016 to 2017.
Devlin was also part of Casey Stoney’s Manchester United team in 2018 that won the Championship in their inaugural season.
Her current club Leicester achieved promotion to the big league in style when they picked up their Championship crown at the King Power Stadium in the last game of the season.
The Foxes already showed they’re capable of competing with the league’s big-shots following their 3-2 win against United in the FA Cup.
And the club’s managing duo Emile Heskey and Morgan reckon their team have the ability to cause problems for the WSL’s top sides throughout next term.
Morgan and Heskey reckon their Foxes team will scare the WSL big-guns next seasonCredit: Getty
Brendan Rodgers confirms he will not be leaving Leicester despite final day Champions League heartbreak More

MANCHESTER UNITED owner Joel Glazer has insisted he is committed to the growth and development of the club’s women team.The 50-year-old businessman addressed the concerns of United Women fan group Barmy Army.
Glazer claims he’s committed to the growth of United’s women teamCredit: AP
The Army had voiced their worries to United’s board following reports that poor conditions at Leigh Sports Village was the reason behind ex-boss Casey Stoney’s exit last season.
They wanted reassurances that things will be done to help United Women reach their goals and said they were open to working with the board.
And Glazer, to their surprise, met with them to do just that.
He said: “As you all know, we have also been focused on growing and developing our women’s team in line with the traditions and values of the club, and we are committed to continuing that process.”
Alongside Glazer, several other big-shots at the club, including Football Director John Murtough outlined their plan for the currently manager-less women’s team.
The focal point in the plan is to improve the training facilities for the women.
Stoney’s former side moved to the Aon Training Complex last season due to difficulties created by the Covid pandemic.
He revealed he wants the men and women team to share the same training facilities in futureCredit: Mark Pain / Premium Sport

The club say they will add a number of improvements to the complex this summer.
And they also reveal they’re working towards fully integrating United’s training complex so that the men, women and academy all use the same facilities.
This is line with Glazer’s vision to ensure United’s facilities are among the “best in Europe.”
United’s statement read: “The pandemic created challenges over the last year across football and across the club in terms of mandatory protocols around training and games.
“A combination of these factors, together with the impact of adverse winter weather conditions on the pitches, affected the usual training locations and schedules for the Women’s team at Leigh Sports Village.
“As a result, after considering options, the team relocated to the Aon Training Complex.
“This required flexibility across the club in terms of use of facilities and COVID-19 protocols.
“Going forward, the club will introduce a package of improvements for the Women’s team facilities at the Aon Training Complex, starting over this summer.
“Longer term, Joel Glazer recently referenced that the club will significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the facilities remain among the best in Europe.
“The long-term intention is for a fully integrated approach to the training ground with the Women’s team, Men’s team and Academy at one site.”

Stoney took the club from the Championship when they were re-formed in 2018 and turned them into WSL title contenders.
She led them to fourth place in the WSL last term just a point behind Arsenal and Champions League qualification.
Reports suggest that several National Women’s Soccer League are interested in bringing her to the USA.
She has also been linked to the Wrexham job which she received vile abuse from online trolls for.
The fan group were concerned after reports suggested Stoney quit due to poor conditions at the clubCredit: PA
Manchester United fans protest outside Old Trafford More