Women’s Super League

EMMA HAYES has wished Jamie-Lee Napier good luck for the future after Chelsea ended her contract.The Blues decided to call time on the 21-year old’s Kingsmeadow career following her loan stint with Birmingham City last season.
Hayes has wished Napier good luck after Chelsea ended her contractCredit: Getty
Napier has been released following her loan stint with Birmingham last seasonCredit: Getty
Napier played 19 times for Brum last season and helped them stay in the Women’s Super League, but the Blues decided to not to bring her back to the club.
Hayes’ implied that the reason why they chose not to extend the Scottish midfielder’s contract was because it’s doubtful she’ll get much playing time.
Which is the reason why the prodigy was initially sent out on loan.
But the Blues boss is still a keen admirer of Napier and believes she has a bright future – albeit not with Chelsea.
She said: “Jamie’s a young player and will continue to improve with regular game time.
“She has a bright future ahead and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.”
Since the news was announced yesterday, Napier is yet to address her departure and it’s not known where’ll she be playing next season.
The ex-Scottish Player of the Year joined the West London side in 2019 in a move which she said was a dream come true.
Hayes doesn’t reckon there’s space in the first-team for NapierCredit: PA
Napier said it was a dream come true when she signed for Chelsea

But she ended up playing just three times in her debut Chelsea campaign.
The WSL champions shipped her out to Birmingham for the following term where she became a regular starter under ex-boss Carla Ward.
Napier was also part of the Brum squad who vented their frustration at the club’s board over poor working conditions.
Chelsea’s decision to get rid of Napier comes amidst a busy transfer period for the club.
They’ve already bolstered their defence with the signing of Aniek Nouwen from PSV Eindhoven.
And it’s rumoured the Champions League finalist have their sights set on Lyon defender Sakina Karchaoui.
Hayes’ side have also been linked with Manchester United striker Lauren James as they aim to strengthen their WSL hold and pursue European glory again.
Emma Hayes responds to Chelsea’s devastating 4-0 loss to Barcelona More

ASHLEIGH PLUMPTRE is ready to swap her England shirt for a Nigerian one if given the chance in future.Despite being born in Leicester, the ex-Lionesses youth star is eligible to play for the Super Eagles due to her dad’s Nigerian descent.
Plumptre is ready to ditch her English roots to play for NigeriaCredit: Getty
And although she’s earned 30 English caps, the Foxes ace admits she’d make the switch in a flash.
While speaking to BBC Sport Africa, the 23-year-old said: “The idea of me being able to play for Nigeria.
“With that being an option, I would happily grab that with both hands.”
The former LA Galaxy star has become fascinated with the Nigerian culture since getting to know her family heritage.
But Plumptre admits that she’s got a long way to go on her journey of fully understanding the African country’s way of life.
She added: “What representing something that really means to somebody is very important.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of things I can openly say that I don’t know about Nigerian culture.
“But I want to learn because I know that it’s in me, and it’s in my sister and in my dad.
“We can only get it from my granddad, he’s the only thing that we know in terms of Nigeria.
The defender is eligble to play for the Eagles despite earning 30 Lionesses Youth capsCredit: Getty

“I’ve obviously visited Nigerian relatives in America and in England.
“Seeing this little journey my sister and I have been on, and the understanding of our family heritage.
“Not just that but watching Nigerian documentaries and learning about the past is incredible.”
And Plumptre would like to inspire other stars with similar backgrounds to do the same one day.
She said: “I think with football being my platform, I am using that as something that’s bigger than me.
“As much as I can resonate with my Nigerian heritage.
“I feel like I can hopefully inspire someone like my sister or other kids like her maybe in this country or other countries to look at me and be like you know what?
“It doesn’t matter what your skin tone looks like.”
But until her dream is realised Plumptre is focused on helping the Foxes keep their WSL status next seasonCredit: Alamy
Manchester City star Caroline Weir targets Team GB Olympic glory like ‘mentor’ Andy Murray More

JOE MONTEMURRO has been named as the new Juventus Women boss after his Arsenal exit last month.The former Gunners boss was unveiled by the Serie A giants as the new man in charge today.
Montemurro has been named Juve Women’s new boss
The 51-year-old will take charge at the Italian champions on July 1.
In a club statement, Juve said: “It’s official, Joe Montemurro has joined Juventus Women as their new head coach.
“In what marks the beginning of what will certainly be an interesting and exciting journey together.”
Montemurro’s appointment comes following the news of Rita Guarino’s decision to leave the Italian champions after four years at the helm.
She won the league four times consecutively during her tenure, leaving Montemurro with some big shoes to fill.
But the Australian, of Italian descent, is no stranger to silverware himself after leading the Gunners to a League Cup in 2017 and the WSL trophy in 2019.
He had initially been linked with the role last month but didn’t confirm or deny Juve’s interest.
Montemurro’s new role will come as a surprise to some Gunners fans after he declared he was taking some time off when he left the club.

He said: “I need to work on my tan a little bit, I need to get some sun somewhere, but I’m going to take a break.
“I’m going to be honest with you, it’s been a cycle of nine years in which I haven’t really stopped.
“Just to not think about football a while is going to be really nice but really strange. It’s something I need. To refresh and reboot.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners still remain manager-less ahead of next season.
But they are taking the search for Montemurro’s successor seriously and have recruited director Edu to help find his replacement.
There’s also the possibility the former Melbourne coach could face his old team Europe next season after he guided the Gunners to a Champions League spot in the previous WSL campaign.
The 52-year old left the Gunners at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry returns to Belgium coaching role for Euro 2020 More

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