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      Who is England defender Millie Bright?

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      MILLIE Bright is hoping to lead the Lionesses to glory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.Here we take a look at the defenders career and the club’s she has played for.
      Millie Bright has played for a number of clubs throughout her careerCredit: Getty
      Who is England defender Millie Bright?
      Millie Bright, born on August 21, 1993 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, is a professional footballer.
      Bright, who plays as a defender, was first introduced to the sport at the age of nine while watching a friend play – and this led to her showcasing her credentials on the pitch.
      As of July 2023, Bright is managed by Revo Sports Management – and FA licensed agency for male and female professional footballers.
      What teams has Millie Bright played for?
      Millie Bright has played for a number of clubs throughout her successful sporting career.
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      During her youth career, Bright played for Killamarsh Dynamos, a local team in Derbyshire and Sheffield United.
      The footballer started out her senior career at Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2009.
      At her own request, Bright then went on loan to Leeds United in their 2011–12 FA Women’s Premier League season, before returning to Doncaster where she had developed into a regular first team starter.
      At Doncaster she was shortlisted for the FA Women’s Super League 2 Player of the Year award in 2014, having excelled for the Belles as they narrowly missed out on promotion.
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      The defender remained at the club until 2014.
      Bright then signed with London-based club Chelsea ahead of the 2015 season and has achieved great success ever since.
      According to the club’s official website, the Chelsea player ”reads the game well, often starting attacks with a sweeping pass from the back and is a threat in the opposition box at set-pieces due to her stature” – and thunderous tackles are her calling card.
      Bright has also enjoyed international success – representing England on the senior national team, as well as numerous youth national teams, including the under-19 and under-23 national team squads.
      How long has Millie Bright played for England?
      The Lioness made her England debut in 2016.
      Bright earned her first cap for the senior England national team that year as a last-minute substitute in a 2–0 win over Belgium.
      In May 2019, she was selected to represent England at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
      Bright was also included as part of the squad which won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
      She has been described as one of the most experienced members of Sarina Wiegman’s squad due to her reliability and presence at the back.
      Why is Millie Bright captaining the England team at the Women’s World Cup?
      With the 2023 Women’s World Cup underway, all eyes are on the Lionesses – including captain, Millie Bright.
      Bright is hoping to lead the team to their first World Cup win in the Fifa contest’s 32-year history, in the absence of Leah Williamson.
      The Arsenal star’s hopes of leading the Lionesses were cruelly dashed by a knee ligament injury she suffered in April.
      Opening up on the honour of leading the team, Bright said: “There was always going to be extra pressure. 
      “This will be the biggest Women’s World Cup so far, the quality has gone up, the expectation goes up. 
      “We have to keep two feet on the ground and know the challenge ahead will be bigger than any other tournament.”
      Bright added: “I feel really grateful to be selected, let alone to be captaining the girls, it is a massive honour. 
      “But for me nothing changes, I stay the same, I’d like to think people see the same Millie.
      “I always lead for the team, that’s just natural to me. 
      “I expect standards from the group, I see myself as the driver because I am so competitive.
      “You have to keep pushing to be better year in, year out. You have younger players at a first tournament, you have to make sure they have everything they need. 
      “We just want them to be excited to go out, have their best summer and play their best football.”
      Speaking of her teammate Williamson, the footballer said: ”(I’m) Absolutely gutted (for Leah).
      “Straight away I was just in shock that she had suffered such a severe injury. 
      “I don’t think the captaincy crossed my mind at all, hand on heart. 
      “Then I got my injury so my head was just fully on my rehab and trying to make the selection.
      “That (the captaincy) was probably the last thing I thought of.
      “You don’t want to see any player go through that injury. There are too many on that topic at the minute.
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      “We’ve had check-ins, to make sure Leah is alright – when you go through that, you need a team around you. 
      “She’s also checked how I’ve been getting on, we’ve stayed in touch for sure.” More

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      Rachel Daly says ‘no one is happy to sit on bench’ but admits England boss Wiegman has a selection headache

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      RACHEL DALY admits it’s tough to start on the bench for England – but acknowledged Sarina Wiegman’s World Cup selection headache.The WSL Golden Boot winner was a sub during the Lionesses’ group stage defeat of Haiti with Alessia Russo given the starting XI nod.  
      Rachel Daly admits Sarina Wiegman is facing a selection headache in terms of starters for England’s striker role at the World CupCredit: Getty
      Daly was deployed as a second half substitute during England’s 1-0 Group D defeat of Haiti in the tournamentCredit: AP
      Daly and her team-mates will take on Denmark next after sealing a group stage opening win in BrisbaneCredit: Reuters
      And team-mate Bethany England is yet to make an appearance for the Euros champs in the contest. 
      England number nine Daly entered the fray in place of Russo in the 76th minute of their clash with Haiti on Saturday in Brisbane. 
      The Aston Villa striker, who netted 22 goals in 22 WSL games last term, came close to doubling her team’s lead three minutes later.
      Had her header found the back of the net it would have seen the Lionesses end an open play scoring dry spell with the team goalless in their previous two fixtures.
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      On if it is frustrating to be on the Lionesses’ bench, Daly said: “No one is happy to sit on the bench.  
      “If you are, then you are not in the right place, not in the right career. 
      “It’s a tough place for Sarina to be in to pick the team.
      “And I respect her decisions and I will support Alessia all the way and I know Bethany (England) will do the same.
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      “That’s the beauty of having a competitive squad.
      “Everybody is digging out for a position. It’s a headache Sarina has to have in multiple positions. 
      “I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes obviously making such big decisions coming into tournaments. 
      “But she’s a fantastic manager, we respect all of her decisions. It proved tonight that it works, so we are happy.”
      Whilst having 11 shots on target to Haiti’s two, England found themselves under pressure from the contest debutants, ranked the 56th best team in the world.
      Melchie Dumornay, Nerilla Mondesir and 5ft 4in goalkeeper Kerly Theus were among Haiti’s standout performers, with Theus pulling off some stunning saves.  
      Daly, who has 70 England caps, added: “Haiti were a fantastic side and they are a force to be reckoned with. I think they will do some damage. 
      “You have got to give credit to the opposition as they were brilliant.”
      The second-half introduction of Lauren James and Daly gave Wiegman’s side more zeal in attack with James teeing up Kelly who fired wide late on. 
      However the sole goal of the game from England, who play Denmark on Friday, came from Georgia Stanway’s retaken spot-tick. 
      This means the usually clinical Lionesses have now gone 337 minutes without burying a non set-piece goal. 
      Daly added: “You could put it down to a number of things, but I think we are quite a new side, a relatively new side. 
      “We have lost a lot of players through injury and retirement.
      “We are still building, but I don’t think it’s a worry and a concern at the minute. Hopefully, more will come.”
      The result of England’s clash with Denmark is likely to play a key role in determining which side finishes top of Group D. 
      The Danes are currently in pole position after sealing a narrow 1-0 against China on Saturday.
      A duel with China on Tuesday 1 August will following England’s Group D clash with DenmarkCredit: Getty
      Some observers believe England’s slim win against Haiti is comparable to their 1-0 defeat of Austria during their march to Euros glory. 
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      Daly said: “It’s three points on the board, we will take that.
      “That’s all that matters coming out of games in the group (stage).” More

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      Ultimate Women’s World Cup rich list – highest-paid Lionesses star to Chelsea striker who bagged FIFA video game deal

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      ENGLAND’S roaring Lionesses captured the heart of the nation on their way to victory at the Euros last year.But while they will be hoping to go one better at the Women’s World Cup this summer, they face stiff competition from the likes of the USA, Spain, Germany and France.
      Chloe Kelly and the team pulled in huge crowds to their games in the UK for the Women’s EurosCredit: Getty
      Marta is often considered the greatest female footballer of all timeCredit: Getty
      In the money leagues, top stars like Marta and Megan Rapinoe may earn just a fraction of their equivalents in the men’s game.
      However, the best players can still earn hundreds of thousands a year – boosted by sponsorship deals and lucrative side projects.
      Here, we reveal some of the highest earners who will be dazzling in Australia and New Zealand over the coming weeks.
      Marta
      Brazilian Marta, 37, is often regarded as the best female footballer ever, so it’s no surprise she can command one of the highest salaries.
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      The forward reportedly earns £311,000 a year at Orlando Pride, topped up by sponsorship deals with the likes of LATAM Airlines, Avon Brasil, shampoo brand Clear and pharmaceutical company Neo Quimica.
      In some of her campaigns for Clear, she has appeared with Cristiano Ronaldo. She has also had deals with Coca-Cola and Puma.
      Marta is Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer, with a record 17 World Cup goals, and has been named FIFA’s World Player of the Year five consecutive times.
      Wendie Renard
      Wendie has captained the French national team for ten yearsCredit: Getty
      French centre back Wendie, 33, has been the captain of the French women’s team for ten years.
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      As the skipper of Lyon at club level, she is one of the most decorated players in modern times, with an astonishing 15 French league titles and eight European Cups to her name.
      It’s no surprise then that she’s on a reported £298,000-a-year salary.
      One of her sponsors is Adidas and she was previously an ambassador for MasterCard alongside England’s Alex Scott, too.
      Earlier this year, she told fans she was pulling out of what will be her third World Cup.
      She said in a statement: “It is a sad day, but necessary to preserve my mental health. It is with a heavy heart that I come to inform you of my decision to step back from the French team.”
      However, after returning to the French team for friendlies against Colombia and Canada in April, she will be wearing the armband once more this tournament.
      Megan Rapinoe
      Megan has gained a huge profile for her footwork on the pitch and activism off itCredit: Getty
      Megan’s famous celebration against France at the last World CupCredit: AFP
      With her signature bleached hair and even more dazzling footwork, USA winger Megan is one of the most instantly recognisable female footballers in the world.
      At the last World Cup in 2019, her celebration against France – in which she saluted the crowd with outstretched arms – became an instant meme and even went on to be added into the FIFA video game.
      The athlete, 38, is thought to take home a salary of £348,000 from OL Reign and, according to Celebrity Net Worth, has a fortune of £3.9million.
      She tops this up with sponsorship deals and cover interviews, having appeared on the front page of Sports Illustrated, Marie Claire, and InStyle.
      Her brands deals include luxury fashion brand Loewe, Nike and Samsung.
      Alex Morgan
      Alex Morgan has topped up her earnings by writing a children’s book seriesCredit: Getty
      Her tea-sipping celebration has gone down in World Cup folkloreCredit: Rex Features
      England fans will remember USA striker Alex for her now infamous tea-drinking celebration, after scoring the winner against the Lionesses at the last World Cup.
      The San Diego Wave FC captain – who CNW estimates has a fortune of £2.3million – has played in 217 international matches and made a short-lived move to Tottenham back in 2020.
      Away from the pitch, the 34-year-old has published The Kicks, a four-book series for school children and even appeared in a music video for Maroon 5’s song “Girls Like You”, which features Cardi B.
      Her long list of sponsorship deals include Nike, Panasonic, AT&T, Chobani, McDonald’s, P&G, Mondelez International, and Coca-Cola.
      She is married to Servando Carrasco, also a football player, and they have one child together, three-year-old Charlie.
      Lucy Bronze
      Lucy is thought to be one of the UK’s wealthiest female footballersCredit: Getty
      British Lucy, 31, is one of the wealthiest Lionesses and is thought to take home around £200,000 a year for FC Barcelona.
      The right-back has played for the England team since 2013 and has also represented the country in the Olympics. She tops up her earnings with deals from Pepsi, EE, Klarna, and Visa.
      Lucy is believed to be the top-earning England player, but along with other Lionesses has slammed the FA’s decision not to pay players extra money on top of the funds dished out by FIFA this tournament.
      Speaking about it, she said: “We want to keep pushing our own standards, but also our federations’ standards, the FIFA and UEFA standards. It isn’t just about the numbers. It is the principle of what we want to improve in women’s football.
      “There is always another step the game can take. Whether that is commercial, on the pitch or off the pitch, whether it is performance based or not. It is about being rewarded for what we have done – we are the European Champions.”
      Sam Kerr
      Sam has a $1million deal with Nike among other lucrative dealsCredit: Getty
      Goal-machine Sam, 29, is believed to take home a salary of £400,000 a year at Chelsea, who she has just helped to another Women’s Super League title.
      The Australian captains her national team and will be hoping to take them all the way as the hosts.
      Her 13-year deal with Nike is thought to be worth $1million. She was also the first female player to appear on the cover of the FIFA video game.
      Sam also has sponsorship deals with luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen, Australian bank CommBank, and EA Sports.
      Chloe Kelly
      Chloe won legions of fans for her last minute goal at the EurosCredit: Getty
      England’s super-sub Chloe, 25, secured her place in the history books at last year’s Euros with her winning goal against Germany.
      It is not known how much her Man City contract is worth, but the club’s average salary for female players is thought to be around £75,000 a year.
      However, off the back of her legendary goal – and celebration – last year, Chloe remains one of England’s most marketable stars.
      The Mail on Sunday reported that she was set to sign a deal with Land Rover worth up to £2 million.
      A spokesperson for Chloe told the paper: “I can’t comment on her business dealings but… she is in demand.”
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      She has also worked with Nike, KFC and last month appeared in a Calvin Klein ad alongside Alex Morgan. More

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      Former England heroine Katie Chapman backs Millie Bright and Lauren James to shine for Lionesses at the World Cup

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      KATIE CHAPMAN is backing Millie Bright and Lauren James to make their mark at the World Cup with England facing Haiti today.Their group D fixture will see them play their first game in the tournament today under boss Sarina Wiegman.
      Katie Chapman believes Lauren James and Millie Bright will shine for England at this year’s World CupCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses will play Haiti at Brisbane Stadium today with their game kicking off at 10:30 BSTCredit: Getty
      Chapman captained a Chelsea side featuring Millie Bright when the Blues won their first Women’s FA Cup in 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Chapman was speaking to SunSport ahead of the opening of hybrid indoor football arena KickX in Surrey today
      England’s clash with their opponents will see them back in official international action for the first time since drawing 0-0 with Portugal on home soil earlier this month.
      With the team winless in two games since their Women’s Finalissima defeat of Brazil in March, the Lionesses are eager to get their World Cup campaign off to a flier.
      Chapman, 41, who retired from the game in 2018, played with Bright for three years at Chelsea.
      The ex-Lioness skippered a Blues team which featured the centre-back to an FA Cup win and WSL title triumph eight years ago
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      Chapman, who also lifted the FA Cup in 2018, believes Bright’s leadership and James’ potential will be key for Wiegman’s side.
      The former midfielder, who has 94 England caps, told SunSport: “Millie was unbelievable in the Euros.
      “What a big player, a big personality and a great leader to have in your team.
      “She reminds me very much of me, and I love her to pieces.
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      “Lauren is new onto the scene and Chelsea have done a great job with her with managing her (past) injuries and getting her onto the pitch.
      “She’s showing her potential. She’s a player that you can put on the pitch that can change your game for sure.
      “I’m excited to see her play in the World Cup.”
      Chapman, who is an ambassador for KickX, a hybrid indoor football arena opening at Addlestone One today in Surrey, believes England have a solid chance of going all the way.
      England are missing quite a few big names but it gives other players an opportunity to step up at the World CupKatie Chapman
      This is despite their squad missing the services of Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, all key figures in their Euros triumph last summer.
      Chapman, whose playing career began at 14 at Millwall, adds: “They’re missing quite a few big names and players have retired.
      “But it also gives other players the opportunity to step up and take their moment within a World Cup.
      “It’s amazing to be there and to represent your country. 
      “It’s going to give those younger players (in the squad) an opportunity.
      “There are quite a few playing in their first World Cup and what an opportunity (for them) to have.
      “Sarina (Wiegman) manages the team in the right way.
      “They all look quite relaxed out there in Australia which is great.”
      Chapman’s launch of KickX, which she describes as all-age inclusive and offering a mix of football-themed games to play, comes nine days after the publication of a landmark women’s game review.
      The review, chaired by her former Chelsea and England team-mate Karen Carney, has called for a raft of changes to women’s football in England.
      This includes finding a strategic partner to invest in improving pathways and academy structures to help develop young talent.
      Chapman said: “Karen is right. There is a lot to be done lower down in the game.
      “There’s a lot to be done at a grassroots level as well.
      “To be an athlete, and to be a professional athlete, you need to train.
      Chapman played for the England team that reached the 2009 Women’s Euros final under Hope PowellCredit: AFP
      “You need to be a full time athlete, you need to be able to do that and you need to be paid to be able to do that at a reasonable level.
      “As she said, there’s a lot to be done filtering down from the top flight of the women’s game.
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      “But as we raise the profile in the game, that’s hopefully our next step to look at.”
      England’s match against Haiti in the Women’s World Cup can be watched live on ITV1 and the BBC at 10:30 BST More

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      Lionesses captain Millie Bright insists England are focused on toppling Haiti with bonus pay concerns parked

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      MILLIE BRIGHT is “itching” to make World Cup history after declaring herself fit to go to battle for England in the contest.The Lionesses’ captain says players will be tournament-focused when they take on Group D minnows Haiti with bonus pay matters on hold.
      Millie Bright has given England a huge fitness boost with the centre-back ready to start for the Lionesses in their group stage openerCredit: Getty
      England will take on Haiti who are playing in the World Cup for the first time in their historyCredit: PA
      England’s clash with Haiti will kick off at 10:30 (BST) at Brisbane Stadium in AustraliaCredit: Getty
      Bright and her team-mates are targeting back-to-back tournament wins a year on from their triumph in the Women’s EurosCredit: Reuters
      Today’s game will see Bright on England duty for the first time since February, following a knee injury she sustained in a Champions League game for Chelsea a month later.
      It will also see the Euros champs face Haiti for the first time in a World Cup,
      Their opponents are one of the five lowest-ranked sides in the tournament and will be making their contest debut in the duel at Brisbane Stadium.
      Bright, who has been a lynchpin in England’s defence, won her race to be fit and featured in a behind-closed-doors 0-0 draw with Canada.
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      The 66-capped Lioness, 29, said: “I was very confident in my recovery.
      “I have been given absolutely everything I needed to be in this position that I am in.
      “I am grateful that I am able to play. I am super excited to be here.” 
      Bright’s knee concerns ahead of the tournament coincide with a triple Lionesses injury blow with Willamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby all crocked.
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      Along with Bright the trio were among the most influential players for England during their dramatic charge to Euros glory last July.
      Reflecting on her journey to back to full fitness, Bright added: “Personally, I went day by day to start with.
      “It’s important to be in the moment and present, and not look too far ahead.
      “By doing that I kind of removed all the pressure of being fit almost, so day-by-day my head was in that place on that day.
      “But I’m always confident that I do absolutely everything that I can for the team, and to put myself in the best position.
      “I knew I would tick all the boxes in terms of my recovery.”
      On how she mentally managed her push to get fit with England missing Mead, Kirby and Williamson, Bright flagged the support of team-mates and Wiegman’s staff.
      Bright added: “You mentioned players not being here, but unfortunately injuries are part of football.
      “We have to look forward and move forward.
      “We’ve got an amazing group of players and staff and everyone has stepped up. We’re raring to go.”
      Off the pitch Bright and her team-mates publically revealed their World Cup bonus pay negotiations with FA chiefs are on hold until after the contest.
      On Tuesday players publicly admitted they were disappointed that talks had reached a stalemate.
      Bright said: “It’s not a situation everyone wants to be in.
      “As players we’re not just programmed to play football, sometimes we have to have these conversations.
      “But we have a very professional group and football is always at the front of everything. 
      Sarina Wiegman says England are well prepared for Haiti and that no stone has been “left unturned” in the prep work ahead of the gameCredit: PA
      “I’m aware that everyone’s seen the statement.
      “So as players now, with our heads on the game – they always have been on the game – everything is on hold.
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      “For now it’s all about the tournament.”
      England’s game against Haiti can be watched live on ITV1 and on the BBC at 10:30 (BST). The game will kick off at 7:30 pm local time in Brisbane, Australia. More

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      Ireland Women’s World Cup ace SNUBS handshake with Australia star after her ex was pictured on holiday with rival

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      A STAR of the Women’s World Cup SNUBBED the handshake of a rival player after her ex-girlfriend was pictured on holiday with her opponent. The pair were then seen confronting each other towards the end of the clash.
      Caitlin Foord (left) and Ruesha Littlejohn (right) were at the centre of controversy after a handshake snubCredit: Getty
      Littlejohn shockingly appeared to snub a handshake with Foord
      The incident is rumoured to have come from Littlejohn’s split with Ireland captain Katie McCabeCredit: Getty
      Ahead of kick-off in Australia and Ireland’s opening World Cup game, Ruesha Littlejohn seemed to refuse to shake the hand of Aussie counterpart Caitlin Foord.
      Fans suggested the snub – reminiscent of the incident between John Terry and Wayne Bridge – may have been motivated by Littlejohn’s split from long-term partner and Ireland captain Katie McCabe, 27.
      They separated after more than seven years together shortly before the World Cup – as confirmed by McCabe on the UK’s Player Tribune.
      According to the Daily Mail, McCabe and Foord – who play for Women’s Super League giants Arsenal – are good friends off the field.
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      The pair recently went on holiday to Ibiza with a large group of friends, with photos of the trip being shared to Instagram.
      But as co-hosts Australia were shaking hands with Ireland before kick-off, Littlejohn, 33, was seen shockingly skipping over Foord’s extended hand.
      Tensions following the incident appeared to boil over towards the end of the game.
      Littlejohn appeared to attempt to approach Foord, 28, while on the field of play, only for her to be restrained by a team-mate.
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      Littlejohn approached Foord at the end of the matchCredit: Sportsfile
      Littlejohn had to be restrained by a team-mate at the end of the match after she and Foord confronted one anotherCredit: Sportsfile
      McCabe, right, recently confirmed she and Littlejohn had separated after more than seven yearsCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Foord, left, was pictured on holiday in Ibiza with fellow Arsenal star McCabe, rightCredit: instagram @katie_mccabe11
      McCabe and Littlejohn were together for seven yearsCredit: instagram @rueshalj
      SunSport does not imply that Foord had anything to do with the split of McCabe and Littlejohn.
      An insider from the Matildas told the Mail: “Clearly there is still some tension surrounding from Littlejohn’s side of things which looks like it spilled over a bit on Thursday night.
      “Caitlin and Katie are great friends. They play together for Arsenal. They spend a lot of time together. But there’s nothing more to it than that.”
      The outlet’s report adds that Foord declined to comment via her management on the incident after being contacted.
      In reaction to the video posted on TikTok, one user said: “Ruesha that’s too personal.”
      A second wrote: “It’s now clear that there’s some drama between Katie, Reusha and Caitlin.”
      Meanwhile, the user who posted the video added: “I know they might not be close but it [is] weird.”
      The pair were competing with one another during the gameCredit: EPA
      The incident is reminiscent of the incident between John Terry and Wayne BridgeCredit: AFP More

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      Chelsea star Ann-Katrin Berger beat cancer twice – now she’s heading to the World Cup and could face her Lioness partner

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      NOT many players can say that they’ve represented their country at a World Cup.Even fewer can say that they’ve done so off the back of a double-winning season.
      Ann-Katrin Berger is at the World Cup with GermanyCredit: Getty
      The goalkeeper was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year during Euro 2022Credit: Getty
      She returned to the Chelsea squad in SeptemberCredit: Getty
      But only one will be able to say that they’ve done all of the above after beating cancer… twice.
      Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has enjoyed some of the highest of highs throughout her playing career, but she has also had to endure some terrible lows.
      In November 2017, just over one year into her spell with Birmingham City, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
      Despite her devastating diagnosis, Berger was determined to continue playing football.
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      She even earned a spot in the PFA Team of the Year at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, just two months after recovering.
      And the following year, she made a huge move to Women’s Super League giants Chelsea.
      Career-wise, the 32-year-old is at the top of her game, having won four WSL titles, three FA Cups and two Continental Cups with the Blues.
      Berger’s incredible form saw her earn a place in Germany’s Euro 2022 squad last summer, but her immense joy – after being called up for her first major tournament – was marred when she found out that her cancer had returned following four years in remission.
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      She has since recovered and helped Chelsea to the WSL title and another FA Cup winCredit: Getty
      Berger received support from her international teammates last SeptemberCredit: Getty
      The goalkeeper told Sky Sports in November: “It had actually started at the beginning of July.
      “We came [together] with the German national team [for the Euros] on July 3 and my yearly appointment was on July 5.
      “It was a little bit of a weird feeling because it was the last one of the normal appointments, but then the blood samples came back negative in thyroid cancer language.
      “Whilst the Euros were still ongoing, I had to do some other tests and the next step after the blood test. Most of the time, it was ultrasounds so they’re checking any lymph nodes or unusual things and that was one week after.
      “After that, I started to wonder what was going on because sometimes, the bloods can go up and down, that’s a normal thing, especially with athletes when hormones and everything are different.
      “But then after the ultrasound, they called me again and I had to go in and they took a biopsy as well. Then I was like ‘Ok, something bad is going on’, but I still wanted to carry on with football.
      “At that point, we’d finished the group stages and I wanted to keep it to myself. Obviously close ones, my family and everything, they started to know something was wrong but at that time, my team didn’t know because they had to focus on the Euros.
      “I know how to deal with it because I’ve been there before so that’s why I started to keep it to myself. The doctors gave me the all-clear to train as normal and said there wouldn’t be any problems.”
      Berger waited until the latter stages of Euro 2022 to inform her international teammates of her diagnosis, simply because she wanted to enjoy the tournament as much as possible.
      She added: “It was a difficult moment, but I kept it a little bit more quiet. I wanted to enjoy the Euros for myself because that kept me going – it actually was just nice to do something and not feel sorry for yourself.”
      In August, Berger announced to the world that her cancer had returned.
      In a statement on social media, she wrote: “I wanted to update fans directly that unfortunately, after four years of living cancer-free, there has been a recurrence detected in my thyroid.”
      Despite the devastating setback, she remarkably returned to action just over a month later, featuring in Chelsea’s WSL clash against Manchester City.
      And in March she was hailed as a hero after saving two penalties which subsequently sent the Blues through to the Champions League semi-final.
      Four months on from that electric evening at Stamford Bridge, Berger is now in Australia and New Zealand for her first World Cup.
      The goalkeeper has already lifted the WSL trophy and the FA Cup this year, but now she has her sights firmly set on arguably the biggest accolade in football.
      The goalkeeper is dating England defender Jess CarterCredit: Getty
      Carter is in the England squad for the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, in order to win the World Cup, Berger and her Germany teammates will have to get past European champions England.
      And that means the goalkeeper will have to better her girlfriend, and Chelsea teammate, Jess Carter.
      The couple started dating in 2017 and they now live together in London.
      But while they represent two different nations, there is little-to-no rivalry between them.
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      In an interview with The Guardian last year, Carter said: “There wasn’t really any direct competition [during the Euros] because we are both really chilled people.”
      Germany kick off their World Cup campaign against Morocco on July 24, while England face Haiti on July 22nd.
      The couple have been dating since 2021Credit: Alamy More

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      Lauren James trained with Arsenal’s senior team at just 14 but was kicked out after complaints from players

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      CHELSEA forward Lauren James is set to take the Women’s World Cup by storm this summer.The 21-year-old, who is now a regular in Sarina Wiegman’s England team, first burst onto the scene when she made her professional debut for Arsenal in 2017.
      James will make her World Cup debut with England this summerCredit: Getty
      The forward is one of the best young players in the WSLCredit: Getty
      But prior to her first Women’s Super League outing, she endured a turbulent time in North London.
      James’ dad, Nigel, has revealed that she was promoted to train with the Arsenal women’s first team at the age of just 14, but some senior players took issue with her involvement.
      In an interview with The Beautiful Game podcast, Nigel said: “She was too good to train with the Arsenal girls when she first went there.
      “So Arsenal tried something, Pedro (Martinez Losa) who was the coach at the time, brought her in to train with the women.
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      “She was probably about 14 at the time. She stayed in her digs for a couple of nights and they got a tutor to teach her, so she trained with the women.
      “It was all good hearing it, but your 14 year-old daughter is now training with women who are 35, 28, they were grown women.
      “So when you are on the pitch it is football, but off the pitch they had nothing in common.
      “What people would see is this little girl. Some could take it and put their arm around her and some couldn’t take it and said ‘you shouldn’t be here, you should be at school.’
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      “She (Lauren) would pick up the good bits from someone and then the negative parts from others.
      “The manager left, another manager came in. There was a game she played in where the manager let her take a penalty. She took the penalty, but the next day senior players didn’t like it at the time.”
      Despite James’ outstanding ability and potential, some Arsenal players even requested that she was removed from first team training due to her age.
      The forward’s dad added: “They then asked for Lauren to be removed from the first team squad at Arsenal and to go back in the academy, but the solution was she train with the academy boys.
      “This had never happened before so it was a big thing. Some parents didn’t like it.
      “But she was superb and did very well. At the end of the season when she was 15-and-a-half, Arsenal then said you won’t be with the women, you’ll play with the academy girls. I saw her playing with girls her own age as sort of a demotion.
      “That is why we needed to leave.”
      After leaving Arsenal, James joined Manchester United in July 2018.
      She made her club debut in a Women’s Championship match the following month and went on to help the Red Devils achieve promotion to the WSL.
      James, the younger sister of Chelsea star Reece, then spent two more years in Manchester before joining the Blues in 2021.
      She has since won two WSL titles and three FA Cups.
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      The forward will take part in her first major tournament this summer with England.
      She narrowly missed out on a place in Wiegman’s European Campionship-winning squad last summer before making her international debut in September.
      Prior to her WSL debut, James endured a mixed experience at ArsenalCredit: Getty More