Women’s Super League

MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly in discussions to sign World Cup-winning US star Abby Dahlkemper.
The North Carolina Courage defender is thought to have been offered a ‘multi-year’ deal to swap the NWSL for the Women’s Super League.

Man City are reportedly in talks to sign USA defender Abby DahlkemperCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

Should Dahlkemper agree to a move, it would see her join US team-mates Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle in Gareth Taylor’s side.
And City’s defensive ranks would be boosted by having the only player to start every game for the United States during their triumphant 2019 World Cup campaign. 
Dahlkemper, 27, has played 62 times for the US Women’s national team. 
The defender was part of a Courage side crowned NWSL Champions in September 2019 after beating Chicago Red Stars 4-0. 

And she was voted Defender of the Year in America’s top women’s football division in 2017. 
Dahlkemper racked up three championship wins in her first four seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League 
These include the ‘treble’ which are the NWSL Shield, the NWSL Championship and the ICC Championship with the Courage in 2018.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Abby Dahlkemper is the only player to have appeared in every game for the USA at the 2019 Women’s World CupCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

The former Adelaide United ace is currently with the US women’s squad at a training camp in Florida along with Mewis and Lavelle.
It is thought Dahlkemper will not be able to travel to the UK – if she does decide to sign for City – until after her country’s friendly match against Colombia on January 22.
City, who are yet to play this year, are due to take on Aston Villa at home on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen talks about his goals for the future at Man City More

VICKY JEPSON has left her job as Liverpool Women’s boss by mutual consent after a 12-year affiliation with the club.  
The Merseyside team – who were once big guns in the WSL – are currently third in the Women’s Championship. 

Vicky Jepson has left her Liverpool Women’s manager role by mutual consentCredit: PA:Press Association

Jepson, who worked at the club in a variety of roles since 2009, had been in charge of the Reds since October 2018. 
In a statement on the club’s website Jepson said: “It’s with a heavy heart that my time has come to an end with Liverpool Football Club; the place I love and have been lucky enough to call home for over a decade,” said Jepson on the club’s website.
“Over the years I have been fortunate to work across the entire pathway at this club. 
“During this time, I’ve seen so many youth players go on to wear the first-team red shirt, which fills me with immense pride. 

“It’s been a privilege to have contributed to their careers.
“I’m also grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside the talented people at the LFC Foundation. 
“Seeing the increase of girls’ participation in football has been truly inspiring.
“To the many senior players, both past and present, that I’ve worked with, I thank you. 

“Thank you for empowering me with your relentless efforts, professional attitudes and sacrifices that you make daily as a professional footballer.
“I will be forever grateful for our time together and will be supporting you all from afar this season.”
CASINO DEALS: BEST SIGN UP OFFERS TO CLAIM OVER £700

Liverpool are due to play Leicester in the Women’s Championship on Sunday Credit: Alamy Live News

Jepson’s assistant manager Amber Whiteley has been appointed as Liverpool’s interim boss. 
The team, who were relegated from the women’s top flight last season, are yet to play their first Championship game of the year. 
The club were forced to postpone their clash with London Bees following five positive Covid-19 test results in their squad.
Whiteley and her players are due to take on leaders Leicester City on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp says all analysis videos went in the bin after Liverpool prepared for Aston Villa first team More

LAUREN JAMES has been named a rising star of the women’s game in Europe following her contribution to Manchester United’s journey to the top.
The Red Devils striker – whose brother Reece plays for Chelsea – is featured on UEFA’s 2021 ‘ten to watch’ female players list.

Man United’s Lauren James has been named as one of Europe’s most promising young female players Credit: PA:Press Association

James, 19, who has made five starts across all competitions this term, began her life as a footballer playing for Arsenal boys Under-13s before crossing over to the club’s Under-15’s girls’ team. 
And the London-born player, who joined the Red Devils in 2018, scored her side’s first-ever WSL goal when the team beat Liverpool in their top flight debut season in 2019. 
James, who UEFA describe as a ‘flair-forward’, is in the running to be part of a United squad heading to Chelsea on Sunday for a tantalising title clash.
And the ambitious Red Devils striker posted a training picture on Twitter alongside a caption which reads “it’s great to be back’’. 

The last encounter between the league’s two topdogs ended in a 1-1 draw in September.
James, whose club are currently top in the WSL, is part of the only brother-sister duo to have represented England football teams at senior international level. 
The Man United ace received her first Lionesses call-up from Phil Neville in November last year. 

Lauren and her Chelsea star sibling Reece James are the only brother-sister pair to have represented England football teams at senior levelCredit: Instagram / @rjames

Other starlets included in UEFA’s ‘ten to watch’ LIST include Pernille Harder’s old Wolfsburg team-mate Lena Oberdorf and Lyon wonderkid Vicki Becho. 

The 17-year-old striker is part of the Ligue One Women’s giants who are rivalling Chelsea and Man City for this season’s Champions League crown. 
And the club, who are second in their division, are due to play Stade de Reims next. 

Solskjaer confirms Facundo Pellistri has coronavirus but says football has to keep going to boost morale More

FRAN KIRBY has well and truly given the two finger salute to the rare heart condition she was diagnosed with in November 2019.
The Chelsea strike sensation, 27, was diagnosed with Pericarditis — an inflammation of the lining around the heart, and told she may never play football again.

Fran Kirby became Chelsea’s all-time top scorer this season after being told she may never play football again

But fast-forward to just over a year and Kirby has already made history, becoming the Blues’ all-time top scorer, just four-months since her emotional return to the WSL.
RARE HEART CONDITION
You wouldn’t be able to tell, Kirby had been sofa-ridden at her home during the long, crippling weeks while she battled the debilitating illness.
She was unable to do the most basic of tasks, like walking up the stairs.
Her Chelsea pals, who often would visit her for a cuppa, bring her snacks and even helped her build a puzzle to take her mind off things.  

The England superstar revealed in September: “There was a period where I was told by the cardiologist that if I didn’t slow down, I could become chronic and never play again.”
“I remember reading about the illness because I had no idea what it was when I was diagnosed.
“I never read any stories where someone had overcome it.
“But I wanted to show to myself that I could get over this and I had a positive story to give.

“It has been a tough journey but it’s definitely shaped me into who I am now. It made me realise how precious these moments when you play are.”

THE MAKING OF THE WOMAN
The Chelsea forward – dubbed the ‘Mini Messi’ – filtered through the youth ranks at her hometown club, Reading but almost quit football as a teenager after the tragic death of her mother, Denise.
She has gone onto become one of England’s best players, a winner of PFA and FWA awards and a Ballon d’Or nominee in 2018.
But long before she became a star of two World Cups, Kirby admitted it all could have been so different when grief consumed her and left her unable to get out of bed.
The striker revealed that her mum suffered a brain haemorrhage and sadly died the next day in hospital when she was age 14.
In the following months, Kirby, her father and brother buried their emotion and “almost never spoke about her”.
A couple of years later, the grief finally hit while she was away at an England training camp, where she broke down with one of the coaches, Mo Marley.
After talking to her aunties, Kirby quit.
She wrote on the Players’ Tribune: “I went into my shell. I’d have days where I wouldn’t get out of bed. Or I wouldn’t go to college.
“I could get as far as the bus stop, then I’d just break down crying.”

The forward made her debut for England in 2014 becoming the first WSL2 player to be called up for the national side
Jules Townrow, a physio at Reading, became a close friend and Kirby spent countless nights eating pizza and watching TV with her.
Kirby admits she was like “a zombie” during this time, but “taking that time out was the best decision I have ever made.
“Because I needed to work on myself. I had to recover, to heal, to grieve.
“I had to try to find myself again.”
Although she was now feeling better, Kirby still wasn’t playing football – until she got an offer to play for her mate’s Sunday league team.
The side, based in Reading, didn’t even train.
She added: “It was amazing, I could live the life that I wanted to live.
“I could do homework, watch TV, all that.
“Nobody was telling me about what I had to improve. No one was going to hammer me if I made a mistake.
“If we lost 6–0, it was okay, we’d have a laugh about it.
“And that, really, is what brought back my love for football.”
ROYAL RETURN
Reading came back in for her and this time, Kirby was ready.
Soon she was starring for the Royals’ first-team, scoring 32 goals in 21 matches.
A year later Kirby helped them finish third in the newly formed Women’s Super League 2 and then became the first woman to ever sign a professional contract at the club.
Royals boss Kelly Chambers coached Kirby when she was in the under-14s side.
After the forward hit FOUR against Reading on Sunday, Chambers said: “It’s disappointing when you seen Fran score against you!
“But we know Fran’s quality and it’s great to see her back on the pitch. I know she’d been out for a long time as well. She’s a fantastic player.”
It was inevitable a move to a bigger club was on the cards, and in 2015 she arrived at Chelsea for a British record transfer fee at the time.

Kirby become the first winner of the PFA Women’s Player of the Year in 2018

CHELSEA LEGEND
The Berkshire striker has helped the Blues win the Double in both 2015 and 2018.
And she has been scoring with her eyes closed since her epic comeback this term.
The Lionesses icon made history when she grabbed a brace against Benfica in the Champions League to become the club’s all-time record scorer.
In doing so she stormed past Chelsea legend Eni Aluko’s tally of 68.
Boss Emma Hayes said: “Everyday I think is a precious day and taking things one day at a time I think is helping Fran.
“Fran has been unbelievable on and off the pitch. Watching her come through this year has given me as much joy as anything.
“I don’t even think it’s about Fran being back, she is just at another level already and I think she doesn’t have to carry everything on her shoulders as she did a few years ago.”
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

Frank Lampard admits Fikayo Tomori didn’t start FA Cup win against Morecambe as he could be going on loan More

EMMA HAYES has called on government support to get the Women’s Super League finished at all costs, as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the division.
The Blues’ 5-0 win at Reading was the only top-flight game of the weekend after five matches had to be postponed as clubs wrestle a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Emma Hayes says clubs need money from the government to register academy players to be part of the first team’s bubbleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Chelsea’s 5-0 win at Reading was the only top-flight game of the weekend after five matches had to be postponed due to a rise in Covid-19 casesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Topdogs Arsenal and Manchester City both requested postponements at the weekend following players testing positive for the virus after reportedly jetting off to Dubai.
Everton called off their match against Manchester United with five players not fit enough to play after catching coronavirus over the Christmas break.
While Birmingham revealed FA chiefs denied their request to postpone having revealed they only had TEN players fit due a host of injuries and one testing positive for Covid-19.
The WSL bit the dust last season, with the Blues crowned champions by points-per-game.

And Hayes hopes the league’s drastic rise in cases doesn’t KO the division like last time out.
She said: “We’re lucky, some people are stuck at home, they can’t go to work, they can’t see their families.
“It’s our job to do this safely to look after the players and where we can let’s make sure these fixtures happen and that we’re not irresponsible as clubs.
“That’s the big thing for me coming out this week. It’s not good enough, and we have to do better and the FA has to support that.

“But equally, we have to make sure we don’t just throw the FA under the bus.
“The reality is they have a duty of care to players, and they can only do what’s presented to them.
“I’m disappointed with women’s football this week, we’ve worked so hard to get where we are.
“I think it’s important for everybody to be mindful of that and make sure we get back to doing the right things at the right times.”
The West Londoner’s midweek League Cup quarter-final tie with City, was also called off after the Etihad’s outbreak.
Hayes added: “I don’t know what Manchester City’s situation is.
“But I respect that having been through it in our own camp that sometimes it’s challenging.
“I’ve worked in women’s football a long time and my message to the clubs and to the FA is let’s not go through another week like we’ve just been through.
“Lets support each other and make sure that provisions are in place to make sure this league finishes and if it means that we have to play with the academies, then so be it.
“We need the money from the government to make sure we register young players to be within our bubbles and we do whatever we can because women’s football comes above every single one of us.”
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

WSL stars under fire for appearing to ‘break Covid rules’ as West Ham and Arsenal players jet off on luxury trips – the sun More

EMILY VAN EGMOND says she is thrilled to be working with new boss Olli Harder after making her West Ham stay permanent.
And the ex-Orlando Pride star reckons the Hammers are beginning to find their rhythm after a tricky start to the season. 

Australia midfielder Emily van Egmond is enjoying life at West HamCredit: Rex Features

West Ham are due to take on Tottenham in their first WSL game this yearCredit: Rex Features

West Ham are yet to play their first match this year – and their first game under Harder – following a turbulent week culminating in FIVE axed WSL fixtures.  
It means the tenth-placed Irons now have a game in hand on Bristol City who are bottom, and Hope Powell’s Brighton who are ninth. 
And a revitalised van Egmond, 27, says she is eager to get going with her side targeting their third win of the season when they take on Tottenham. 
Van Egmond told West Ham TV: “We’ve come in and had a bit of an up-and-down start to the season but towards the back end, before the Christmas break, I thought we were starting to find a bit of consistency. 

“We’ve been able to go away and mentally freshen up, and hit the training ground hard with the new manager coming in. 
“The training sessions have been really good with him and the club has been fantastic too.
“I’m really enjoying my football here at West Ham too, and I’m excited to be working with the new manager. 
“Personally, it’s nice to have a bit of stability during the current circumstances that are going on in the world. 

Emily van Egmond believes West Ham’s form is starting to improve in the WSL this termCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“I’m happy to be here with West Ham, and I can’t wait to keep going.”
West Ham, who lost six WSL encounters in the first four months of the season, will be looking to pick up their first win against Spurs since September 2019. 
The last two WSL encounters between the fierce London rivals ended in a 2-1 Tottenham win in January last year followed 1-1 draw in September.

Sebastien Haller shows off his talents on the West Ham training pitch More

TANYA OXTOBY wants football authorities to clarify the choice to postpone Manchester City’s and Arsenal’s WSL games on Saturday.  
The ‘frustrated’ Robins manager’s plea came hours before the calling off City’s Conti Cup clash with Chelsea – a move facing a backlash from some players. 

Tanya Oxtoby wants to see clarity on match postponement decision-makingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Bristol had to play Man City in November with five of their senior players self-isolating Credit: The FA

Five Man City aces are confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their first league game of the new year.
And it was reported that four City players got coronavirus following a trip to Dubai over the Christmas period. 
This week the FA announced City’s clash with West Ham is to be rescheduled, with the club confirmed as being unable to meet the minimum quota of 14 squad players.
However, the decision has prompted comments from some players hinting at double standards in the women’s top flight.

And some fans cited Bristol having to field a team of academy kids against City in November, with five of their senior players self-isolating.
Tanya Oxtoby’s Robins, who are currently bottom of the table, are due to face Brighton in the WSL on Sunday.
Oxtoby, 38, told Sky Sports News: “The FA have a decision to make now around the clarification and transparency over the decision-making. 
“Obviously there are things they can’t disclose, which I understand, but for us, it’s about understanding the decision-making process and being really clear.

“That would take away the feeling that bigger clubs are having different treatment because there may be underlying factors we’re not aware of.
“But until we’re filled in on those and able to understand them, there’s certainly some frustration around what appears to be a little bit of a different decision with similar circumstances.”
Meanwhile, the postponement of Man City’s Conti Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on Wednesday has been met with mild derision from WSL aces on social media. 
Blues striker Bethany England posted a cryptic message on Twitter featuring an upside-down emoji face along with the words ‘If I speak’.

Man City’s Conti Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea has been postponedCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
Her club team-mate Fran Kirby shared a tweet wishing authorities “good luck” with trying to find a date to reschedule the league cup fixture. 

The axing of the game means Manchester City’s first match of the year will be a WSL encounter against Aston Villa on January 17. 
And Chelsea who are third – with two games in hand on league leaders Man United – are due to take on Reading.

Lionesses in training More