BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ellen White is down at Belvoir Drive, the home of Leicester City Women, for a special edition of the podcast ahead of a crucial end of season run-in for the club.Ellen is reunited with her old gaffer, Rick Passmoor, to chat 'unfinished business' in the WSL and how he hopes the experience of his five January signings can help the club on and off the pitch as they battle to avoid the bottom spot come the end of the season.Plus, Ellen sits down with Alisha Lehmann, one of the most recognisable and widely followed figures in women's football, to discuss the misconceptions around her, why she was so keen on a move back to the WSL and reflect on the impact last summer's Euros is starting to have in Switzerland.

BBC Sports Katie Gornall has done a deep dive into how Newcastle United are plotting a course to the WSL as they push for a play-off place.Katie has been catching with Newcastle midfielder Jordan Nobbs, manager Tanya Oxtoby, director of women's football Grace Williams and former player Rachel Furness. Grace and Tanya share the ambitions of the club and what has changed since the takeover as they target promotion. Jordan and Rachel reflect on whats changed in the game and how exciting the prospect of seeing Newcastle in the top flight would be.Also, why does Jordan Nobbs keeping taking Tanya's shoes?TIMECODES: 01:23 - Rachel Furness 12:54 - Tanya Oxtoby 24:39 - Jordan Nobbs 34:25 - Grace Williams

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie talk how Chelsea are able to dominate in the big matches as they claim another League Cup victory over Manchester United. Why are Manchester United not able to match Chelsea on the big occasions and what did Marc Skinner mean by 'rubbish goals'? Jen and Ellen talk strikers with Beata Olsson scoring her sixth WSL goal of the season for Liverpool. And some big news from Chelsea as Cat Macario looks to be on the move to NWSL side San Diego Wave on a reportedly record contract deal. The team talk about the money in the women's game and the new 'high impact player' rule in the NWSL. Plus what has Guro Reiten's impact been as she leaves Chelsea after six years. Timecodes: 03:00 Typical Chelsea!   08:00 What or who was the difference maker? 14:30 Where it leaves Manchester United? 18:35 What's been the change for Liverpool? 25:25 Striker stats & debate 28:30 Cat Macario to San Diego Wave?  34:00 Guro Reiten leaving Chelsea for Gotham FCLive coverage in the WSL Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 12 o’clock kick off on Saturday 21st on Sports Extra.

In a candid and important conversation, Lioness legend Ellen White sits down with Manchester United’s Celin Bizet Dønnum to discuss motherhood in women's football. From considering the right time to start a family, navigating training while pregnant and her plans to return to training after birth, Celin shares her story proving that you can ‘live out two dreams at the same time’.TIMECODES: 00:45 - How is Celin feeling at the moment? 01:40 - Was starting a family whilst playing always part of Celin’s plan and taking inspiration from Hannah Blundell. 03:51 - The support Celin has had from Manchester United? 08:20 - Celin and Aron’s ‘normal’ as two professional footballers. 09:30 - Who did Celin tell first about her pregnancy? 11:25 - What are Celin’s plans when it comes to returning to play? 12:48 - Learning about pelvic floor health and changes to her body. 16:30 - Breaking stigmas around being a young Mum in her ‘peak years’. 19:45 - What is the maternity leave policy in women's football? 22:50 - How did her teammates react to her baby news? 25:40 - Celin asks Ellen about her motherhood journey. 28:45 - What is Celin most excited about once her little one arrives?

In the second of two special episodes ahead of the Women's League Cup final, Emma Sanders visits Carrington and chats to a trio of Manchester United guests to preview the first domestic final of the season.Head coach Marc Skinner reflects on making their fourth consecutive domestic final, making 'ruthless' decisions and making sure his team don't fear Chelsea.One of Manchester United's newest signings, German forward Lea Schüller chats to Em about how she's settling in, her biggest strengths and why she's 'not that into football' when she's not playing.Plus, USA goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce talks wanting to make more history with this team and with the final being on Mother's Day, why her Mum will always be her number one fan!TIMECODES: 00:05 - Em and Ben are back for the second part of our League Cup final preview. 01:57 - Marc Skinner sits down with Em. 15:45 - Lea Schüller tells Em about settling into life on and off the pitch in Manchester. 27:30 - Phallon Tullis-Joyce on new 'puzzle pieces' and her idea of the perfect final.

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie reflect on the first international break of the year where England and Scotland made it two wins out of two in their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaigns.The team discuss England's standout performers against Iceland including Lucy Bronze who marked her 145th senior appearance with another superb display. Plus, with Lauren James looking back to her best, we ask how the Lionesses can get the best out of her on a more consistent basis? The WSL returns this weekend after a month-long break with a 'must not lose' game for bottom of the table sides Liverpool and Leicester City. And the first piece of domestic silverware is up for grabs, so who are Ellen and Jen backing to lift the League Cup on Sunday?TIMECODES: 01:12 - Jen is buzzing from Scotland’s Six Nations win! 03:03 - Lauren James starred during England’s 2-0 win over Iceland. 09:30 - Lucy Bronze proves she’s still gold standard on her 145th cap. 14: 00 - Georgia Stanway impresses again. 16:10 - Scotland put seven past Luxembourg. 22:00 - The WSL returns with a huge fixture at the foot of the table. 27:35 - Do players keep an eye on their club teammates fitness whilst on international breaks? 30:00 - League Cup final preview as reigning champions Chelsea take on Manchester United.

In the first of two special episodes ahead of the Women's League Cup final on Sunday 15th March, Ben Haines is back down in Cobham and joined by the ultimate Chelsea trio to preview the first domestic final of the season.Chelsea and England midfielder Keira Walsh reflects on her first full year at the club, how special this trophy is to her and becoming more of a leader for both club and country.Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor reflects on reaching yet another domestic final, her new contract with the club and with the final being on Mother's Day, how being a Mum herself has helped her as a coach.USA forward Alyssa Thompson looks ahead to her first final with Chelsea and the possibility winning her first piece of domestic silverware. Plus Em Sanders drops by to discuss what has to go right for Chelsea against Manchester United if they are to lift the league cup again.TIMECODES: 02:15 - Keira Walsh sits down with Ben. 17:30 - Sonia Bompastor joins the pod. 33:00 - Alyssa Thompson on the prospect of winning her first domestic trophy. 38:00 - Em and Ben discuss what has to go right for Chelsea to lift the league cup again.

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Soccer Aid's newest recruit, Jen Beattie are back together to look back on games which saw England and Scotland get their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign off to flying starts.The team focus on the performances of England's goalscorers, Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park and ask whether a more experimental back line was tested enough against Ukraine. Captain Caroline Weir scored her first international hat-trick as Scotland hit five without reply against Luxembourg. Jen discusses how the side are finding their freedom again.Plus, ahead of International Women's Day, the pod give a huge shoutout to Jen O'Neill, their unsung hero of the women's game.TIMECODES: 00:15 - Jen is Soccer Aid’s newest recruit! 04:18 - England goalscorer focus against Ukraine, starting with Jess Park. 06:55 - Georgia Stanway showing why she’s in demand this summer. 12:00 - Alessia Russo is a ‘world-class’ number 9. 16:33 - A more experimental back four for England. 21:17 - What changes could we see against Iceland on Saturday? 24:20 - Scotland hit the ground running against Luxembourg. 29:00 - Scotland are finding their freedom again. 31:25 - Is Kirsty Hanson the most underrated player in the WSL? 33:22 - We name our Women’s Football Weekly unsung hero ahead of International Women’s Day.

In this week’s edition of the Football Interview, first broadcast on the Football Daily podcast, Kelly Somers speaks to England captain Leah Williamson. They discuss her early memories of getting into football, the impact her family have had on her, and how she nearly dropped out of the Arsenal academy at the age of 15. She relives captaining England to back-to-back European titles and reveals to Kelly the one thing that's missing that would complete her career.TIMECODES: 0’40 - First memories of football and not being very good. 2’20 - How she nearly dropped out of the academy at Arsenal at 15. 3’50 - Has there been a turning point? 4’55 - What match from her career would she relive? 6’00 - Did she realise what she’d done [winning Euro 2022]? 7’42 - How has it changed her life? 8’09 - The fuel to do win it again in 2025. 8’40 - What was she like growing up and her family dynamic. 10’26 - How she escapes from football and love of fashion. 12’53 - What else does she want to achieve?

Ben Haines and Em Sanders are back at St. George's Park as the Lionesses get ready to start their journey to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.Ben and Em look ahead to the first fixtures of England's qualifying campaign against Ukraine and Iceland early next month and the squad are boosted by the return of captain Leah Williamson who is back in the squad for the first time since Euro 2025.Leah joins Ben for a quick chat to discuss being back with the squad and what, or more specifically who, she missed while she was away recovering from her knee injury.Ben is joined by another member of the squad, Manchester City's Lauren Hemp, who discusses bringing her good form and confidence from club to country, enjoying her football again and what she's packed for an extended time away on camp.Plus, Ben and Em ask what Jess Park's best position is in this side given her current form and discuss the key positions in the back and forward lines that could be up for grabs over the next few weeks.TIMECODES: 00:03 - Ben Haines and Em Sanders are back at St. George's Park for the start of the 2027 World Cup cycle. 05:10 - England captain Leah Williamson joins Ben. 09:00 - How could England's defence line up over these two qualifiers? 12:05 - Lauren Hemp's brilliant form this season. 14:25 - England and Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp joins Ben. 29:22 - Ben and Em react to Lauren's interview. 32:20 - What are the key positions in the forward line that could be up for grabs?

Ellen White and Jen Beattie kick off the countdown to the 2027 FIFA World Cup by speaking to vice-captain Erin Cuthbert ahead of Scotland's first qualifying match. We also hear from Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson as she juggles parenthood and the campaign to make it back-to-back major tournaments for Wales. Elsewhere on the international scene, the Asian Cup gets underway on the 1st of March. Which WSL teams will be most impacted by players leaving to compete there?Plus, there's reaction to a mixed week for Manchester United who have qualified for their first Champions League quarter final but lost again to 'bogey team' Chelsea in the FA Cup. TIMECODES: 3'25 Why can't Manchester United overcome Chelsea? 14'45 Champions League chat 20'16 Real Madrid being the only team not to host their quarter-final leg at their 'main' stadium 22'58 Rhian Wilkinson 28'00 Jess Fishlock returns to Wales 30'04 What impact will the Asian Cup have on the WSL? 33'36 Erin Cuthbert interview

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie react to the latest Lionesses squad announcement as captain Leah Williamson returns for the first time since Euro 2025. Emma Sanders sits down with England manager Sarina Wiegman and the team discuss managing minutes and whether it's time for England to have a recognised left-back with Poppy Pattinson's inclusion in the squad.With a month-long break from the WSL ahead of us, Ben, Ellen and Jen deep dive into how much Manchester City's domestic dominance could be down to the fact they are not in the Champions League this season.The team also look ahead to the second leg of the UWCL play-offs, the fifth round of the FA Cup and chaos ensues as we uncover what sports Jen and Ellen would want to take part in at the Winter Olympics!TIMECODES: 00:30 - What Winter Olympic sport would Ellen and Jen compete in? 06:20 - Lionesses squad announced as they begin their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign. 11:40 - Poppy Pattinson’s call up and the need for a recognised left-back. 14:35 - Em Sanders chats to England manager Sarina Wiegman. 20:15 - Managing player minutes this international break. 23:30 - Scotland name their squad for a Luxembourg double-header. 27:40 - How much has Man City’s season without Europe contributed to their WSL dominance? 38:50 - Brighton v Arsenal postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. 41:00 - Ellen on the month long break in the WSL and how that could impact teams. 46:10 - Look ahead to the Champions League play-off round second legs. 47:50 - FA Cup fifth round preview.

Alex Scott meets Olivia Smith for a girl dinner to Eat & Yap about Canada, her Jamaican and Peruvian heritage and life at Arsenal.Together, they try Olivia's favourite Canadian and Jamaican food whilst talking about her upbringing, life on and off the pitch since moving to north London this summer and getting football tips from her little sister!You can watch the new Eat & Yap series with Alex Scott on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport YouTube channel now.

Ben Haines, Ellen White, Jen Beattie reflect on the weekends WSL action as the race for Europe gets tighter, the battle to stay off the bottom gets tougher and there are new contracts and departures at Chelsea.The team reflect on wins for Liverpool, West Ham and Everton as Leicester City suddenly find themselves at the foot of the table.Some big results at the other end of the table too as the fight for a top three spot and a Champions League football gets tighter and tighter between Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.Jen reacts to the news Caroline Weir has been named Scotland captain on an official basis, plus the pod reacts to Paul Green leaving his role as Chelsea's head of women's football after 13 years.TIMECODES: 00:10 - Madonna spotted at Spurs vs Chelsea! 03:30 - Liverpool are off the bottom of the table for the first time since November. 07:40 - West Ham stun Brighton with three late goals 12:15 -  Leicester suffer their ninth loss in 14 league games 14:44 - Everton part ways with Brian Sorensen 17:55 - Praise for Courtney Brosnan 21:15 - Arsenal end Manchester City’s 13-game winning run 22:25 - Lotte Wubben-Moy vs Bunny Shaw 27:40 - Chelsea get back to winning ways against Tottenham 30:20 - New contract for Sonia Bompastor and Paul Green leaves Chelsea 34:40 - Caroline Weir announced as new Scotland captain 38:30 - Looking ahead to this week's UWCL knock out play-offs.

Five months on from spending the day with some of the London City Lionesses squad back in August, Ben Haines is back at Cobdown Park to catch up with a superstar trio after the WSL mid-season break.Danielle van de Donk is back on the pod shortly after making her debut for the side to talk about her recovery, going through rehab when your a new member of a team and reveals whether she's been taking part in the squad's Spanish lessons!New signing, France forward Delphine Cascarino, chats to Ben about joining the WSL, her ambitions with the club and how she's settled into London life so far.Plus, Freya Godfrey joins Ben, fresh from scoring her fourth WSL goal of the season, to talk being 'more selfish' on the pitch, her first England camp and her love of jigsaw puzzles!

Ben Haines, Ellen White, Jen Beattie and special guest Karen Bardsley reflect on the weekend that may well have sealed the title for City as they beat holders Chelsea 5-1 to put them 11 points clear. KB gives an insight into behind the scenes at City and manager Jeglertz style and why City are now the team to fear. Has Sonia Bompastor got her tactics wrong with the fight for those Champions League spots very much on. The transfer window closes today with the likes of Georgia Stanway and Ona Batlle potentially on the move to Arsenal in the summer. Could Katie McCabe be leaving the club? Plus more history for Arsenal as they win the Champions Cup with Jen representing the Kim Little fan club from across the pond!Timecodes: 01:00 Welcome back KB! 04:00 Chelsea defending 09:30 Lauren Hemp 13:35 City the team to fear 25:25 Transfer window 27:30 Ona Batlle to Arsenal? 29:30 Katie McCabe to leave? 30:40 Champions Cup Commentary of Arsenal v Manchester City in the WSL, Sunday 8 Feb 1200 KO, Sports Extra 2

Ben Haines catches up with Aston Villa captain Rachel Daly after the mid-season break to talk wedding planning, finding her form in her more 'natural position' and the type of captain she is, both on and off the pitch.Ben and Rachel also discuss the rise of Lucia Kendall, how good it is to Ellie Roebuck back on the pitch and the kind of role Rachel will have whilst she's temporarily sidelined with an injury.

Emma Sanders is at the Chelsea training ground chatting to pod regular Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze! Lucy talks about chasing the WSL title, her future and who would make the best traitors and faithfuls!

England defender Jess Carter speaks to BBC Sport's Laura Scott about how receiving racist messages online during Euro 2025 left her not wanting to leave the hotel.Jess also talks about playing for Gotham FC compared to England and competing in the Champions Cup.This interview discusses experiences of racial abuse. If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can find links to organisations who can provide help and support at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Head of safety, sustainability & infrastructure for the WSL Hannah Buckley joins Ben Haines to discuss how stadiums need to be better equipped for female players and supporters.WSL Football has unveiled what it says are "world-first design guidelines" for updating existing stadiums - or building new ones - so they better cater for women, at a time when the women's game is growing.