Defender’s switch from Arsenal has hit a nerve but lack of historical enmity means it is not controversial in the slightestWhen the defender Emma Mitchell’s loan move from Arsenal to Tottenham was announced last Friday, it divided opinion. For some, it was a reverse Sol Campbell: men’s, women’s or youth football, it was crossing a line that should never be crossed.Except players switching between rival or derby teams is anything but rare in women’s football. This summer Jen Beattie swapped the league runners-up Manchester City for a second spell at the champions Arsenal. Tottenham signed the winger Gemma Davison, who has played for Liverpool and Chelsea and began her career at Arsenal. Alex Greenwood played for Everton and Liverpool, then...
Sam Kerr’s debut shows WSL is thriving as relentless Arsenal roll on but is there fresh hope for Liverpool’s survival bid?It doesn’t matter where you are: fans want to see big names and it was great to see such a large, mixed crowd turn out for Sam Kerr’s debut at Kingsmeadow. Her arrival at Chelsea feels like a gamechanger: the Australian is in her prime and it is the first time a player at her level has come over from the American league. We have seen Carli Lloyd, who played for Manchester City at a later stage of her career, and a few less-celebrated names make the switch but this signing feels different. The Women’s Super League is competing with...
Promoted side’s first few months in WSL have exceeded expectations, says delighted managerMost promoted sides, paired away with last season’s runners-up in their opening match in the top flight, would not be particularly upset by a 1-0 defeat. But that was not how Casey Stoney saw Manchester United’s loss at Manchester City in September: “It is a strange feeling because you’re gutted you have just lost 1-0 to one of the best teams in the country but it’s because you competed so well and knew you could get more out of the game.” Her side have certainly not been treading water since in their first season in the Women’s Super League. Related: Caroline Weir fires Manchester City to opening-day win...
There is a real optimism in women’s football but while attitudes generally have changed dramatically not everyone is on the same pageWomen’s football has come a very long way in a decade. Ten years ago there existed an indifference towards the few women who chose to persevere in what many viewed a novel and headstrong manner to play the men’s game – because, let’s face it, that is what “the people’s game” actually meant. Now, Chelsea’s Fran Kirby can post photos on social media of her dog sitting in front of a Bentley. It may be a loaned Bentley (the gap hasn’t closed that much) but the England forward does have numerous sponsorship deals, with Nike and Swarovski among others.If...
Prospect of two great players at rival clubs pushing each other is just one cause for excitement about women’s football in 2020Friday is the day that Sam Kerr officially joins Chelsea as the mid-season transfer window opens, the arrival of the player I consider the best No 9 in the world ending an amazing year for women’s football.It has been a year of massive forward strides. The World Cup obviously was huge, and Megan Rapinoe brought positive attention to the women’s game by being brave and speaking about important issues while also doing her talking on the pitch, and there have been big signings, and groundbreaking sponsorship and broadcasting deals. Meanwhile clubs playing in men’s stadiums has become normalised and...