Dribble Diaries

Manchester City have signed Brazilian international forward Kerolin Nicoli on a three-and-a-half-year contract. WSL Full-Time was notified of the news via an official club press release from The Citizens this afternoon. Manchester City has signed the 25-year-old from American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club North Carolina Courage. Kerolin has spent the last three years with Courage, scoring 17 goals in 38 NWSL appearances. She won back-to-back NWSL Challenge Cups with Courage in 2022 and 2023, and she was named NWSL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2023. Kerolin has 45 international caps for Brazil, scoring six goals in that time. She won the Copa América Femenina in 2022 and earned a silver medal at the Olympic Games last summer. Kerolin stated upon joining Manchester City, "I'm so excited to be here. I believe there were many reasons why I chose City, one of which was to play in the Champions League. "I believe the players in the WSL are extremely technical...

According to the Telegraph, England star Chloe Kelly is looking to leave Manchester City and join rivals Manchester United on loan. The England star joined Manchester City from Everton in 2020, where she has made 109 appearances and scored 31 goals. However, recent reports indicate that her relationship with manager Gareth Taylor has soured, and she has only made one start in the WSL for her club this season. "Chloe is here at this club," Taylor said before the weekend's game against Manchester United. "She's done a lot for me and the team in the past, and we have a good relationship. While she is here, she is treated and valued equally with the other players. Whether she plays or not, she contributes to our efforts." Manchester City face their derby rivals at home on Sunday evening, and Kelly is expected to sit out.

In a pivotal UEFA Women's Champions League Group D encounter, Laia Aleixandri took on Barcelona, the team where she spent five of her first years developing as a football player. She led her team resolutely this time while sporting the Manchester City captain's armband. As Aleixandri's contract in England draws to a close, the game gave supporters and former Barcelona teammates a chance to admire her development. Fantastic matchup with an old acquaintance Aitana Bonmatí's recovery of possession gave Barcelona their first opportunity, igniting an attack that required a spectacular save from Khiara Keating. Salma Paralluelo's shot was pushed over for a corner by Keating. It's not simple to defend a two-time Ballon d'Or winner like Bonmatí. But Aleixandri was well aware of her strengths from their time playing football as kids. She was a fantastic player and very remarkable. In fact, I believe she and the goalie have been City's greatest players today,...

Steph Houghton, a former England and Manchester City captain, has been chosen one of four new entrants into the WSL Hall of Fame. Houghton was at Arsenal when the WSL period began in 2011, just a few years into her career, and she won back-to-back titles in the first two seasons of the new league, as well as two FA Cups and three League Cups. She subsequently moved north to join Manchester City in 2014, where she became a club legend after a decade at Etihad Campus. During her time at City, the centre-back captained the club to three Women's League Cups, three FA Cups, and the WSL title in 2016. Houghton remains City's most accomplished player, having won seven major championships throughout her tenure. Houghton left a significant effect on the WSL, scoring 23 goals in 178 games, and he also made international history. Over the course of eight years, the defender wore the captain's armband for England, leading the Lionesses to a few key tournaments and significant moment...

Chelsea's head coach, Sonia Bompastor, says her team is excited to play Barclays Women's Super League title rivals Manchester City this weekend. On Saturday evening, the Blues will host The Citizens at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea manager Bompastor stressed the importance of the game during the pre-match news conference, adding that her team is excited to put themselves to the test against Manchester City. "It's obviously an important game against a very good team," Bompastor explained. "There will be two fantastic teams with a nice dynamic and good outcomes, so we are looking forward to it and are really excited. "My role as a manager is to ensure that the players have the appropriate game plan for tomorrow. We practiced this morning, and I believe everything is crystal clear in each player's head. We feel prepared, even if we anticipate a difficult game. Manchester City is doing well and has excellent players, but it will be a wonderful game for eve...