Dribble Diaries

As the winter transfer market opens, we take a look at ten prominent players who may change teams next month. Naomi Girma Age 24 Nationality US Club San Diego Wave Girma, widely regarded as one of the top centre-backs in the world and recently named to the FIFA top XI, is nearing the final year of her contract, and speculation has grown that she may leave San Diego. Only the world's wealthiest clubs are expected to be able to afford her this window, and she has been connected with French giants Lyon, although Chelsea are also looking for a central defender after Kadeisha Buchanan suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament damage. Chloe Kelly Age 26 Nationality English Club Manchester City Having started only one Women’s Super League game this season, a move away from Manchester City may be the solution for Kelly to secure more match minutes in her quest for a seat on the plane to Euro 2025 with the Lionesses next summer. The winger, whose winning goal clinched England vic...

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,...

Women's Super League action has been paused this weekend as players prepare for the first international break of the 2024/25 season. With some of our favourite players embarking on a series of friendlies throughout the world, we've had the chance to reflect on how the season has progressed thus far. Manchester City now leads the table, with no club able to break their winning streak, followed by Chelsea and Manchester United. However, it's worth noting that the Citizens enjoy a distinct advantage. They've had the luxury of playing one extra game than Chelsea and United, who had their match postponed due to a scheduling problem with the UEFA Women's Champions League and have yet to be rescheduled. However, one thing is clear: this season has seen a significant boost in overall standard. In the first few weeks, certain clubs took advantage of this, while others struggled to keep up. Seagulls gleam under Dario Vidosic. Dario Vidosic secured his move to England's ...

Alexandra Popp, a German female football star, will retire from the German national team on Monday night in Duisburg. Alexandra Popp's German national team career will officially end on Monday night in Duisburg. The 33-year-old is a well-known character in German football circles, having scored 67 goals in 145 matches for her country since making her senior debut in 2010. Over the course of 14 years, she has become the face of German women's football. Despite the fact that the German ladies still have a major international tournament to compete in next summer, Popp's body showed signals during this summer's Olympics that the pressure of representing her country was too great. In a tearful video message earlier this month, the career VfL Wolfsburg player announced her retirement from international competition. "Dear fans and colleagues," Popp began in early October, "For 18 years, 14 of which were at the top level, I had the pleasure and privilege of pr...

In their London derby on Saturday, Mayra Ramirez and Sandy Baltimore each scored two goals in the first half to help Chelsea defeat Arsenal. Both of these teams had somewhat contrasting campaign starts going into this match against Emirates. After defeating Barcelona in the Champions League, Chelsea was victorious, while Arsenal was humiliated against Bayern Munich and occupying the mid-table spot in the WSL after just one victory. And things only got worse for the Gunners as Chelsea took an early lead thanks to a goal from Mayra Ramirez in the fourth minute. Shortly after, Sandy Baltimore headed in at the back post to give the west London team a two-goal lead. However, just before halftime, the hosts equalized through Caitlin Foord, who finished from the most unexpected of angles. As Arsenal pressed for an equalizer in the second half, gaps appeared in their defense. Lauren James took advantage of the space around the hour mark, believing she had a penalty after a lunge from Lotte ...

Manchester City will face Champions League winners Barcelona in their inaugural group stage campaign. The draw on Friday placed Arsenal alongside Bayern Munich and Juventus, while Chelsea and Celtic were drawn in a group with Real Madrid. City's previous appearance in the Champions League proper was in 2020-21, when they were defeated 4-2 on aggregate by Barcelona in the quarterfinals. The group stage was created the following season, and City has been eliminated twice in qualification by Madrid. Two teams will advance from each of the four groups, with City the favourites to face Barcelona after being drawn alongside Austrian club St Pölten and Swedish side Hammarby. City advanced with an 8-0 aggregate win over Paris FC, who defeated Arsenal and Wolfsburg on their way to last season's group stage. For the first time, three English teams are in the group stage, with Arsenal winning 4-0 at home after losing 1-0 in the first leg to Swedish side Häcken. The Gunners will face two ...

The USWNT's keys to victory in the Paris 2024 Olympics gold medal match put pressure on Emma Hayes' world-class players to execute one final outstanding performance in France. Since Emma Hayes came in the United States two months ago, the U.S. Women's National Team has witnessed a much-needed comeback. After a few disappointing years filled with performances unworthy of a gold medal or a World Cup, the Stars and Stripes have reestablished themselves as one of the powerhouses in women's soccer at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The USWNT won all five of their matches in France this summer, including a tough semi-finals encounter against Germany, and will now face Brazil for the gold medal on Saturday, August 10. If Hayes' team wants to leave Paris with the ultimate prize, they must overcome the Selecao, which France and Spain failed to do in the knockout stage. Here's a summary of four keys to victory for the USWNT ahead of their gold medal match. USWNT's keys to ...

On Friday, Spain competed against Germany for a bronze medal in women's football at the Olympic Games. This is what occurred. Cata Coll's error becomes costly as Germany wins bronze medal. Germany won the bronze medal in the Olympics, 1-0, despite a late penalty granted to Spain. Horst Hrubesch's team started brightly, with attempts from Jule Brand and Klara Bühl, but Spain had the better chances in the first 45 minutes. Germany's Ann-Katrin Berger made some stops in the first half, but there was nothing she could do about a stunning curling attempt from Aitana Bonmatí, which dropped a fraction too late and slammed against the bar. Only a huge deflection prevented Jenni Hermoso from scoring with the follow-up, and Spain may count themselves unlucky not to be ahead at halftime. Germany unexpectedly had a penalty as Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll collided with Giulia Gwinn instead of punching the ball clear. Gwinn appeared anxious when she walked up to take her own penalt...

"When you see everyone collecting medals left and right, you say to yourself: 'Now, it's our turn'," said France head coach Thierry Henry after his team qualified for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament final for the second time in their history. Henri Michel's squad won gold in the Los Angeles Games 40 years ago. Henry's team hopes to replicate this success on home grounds. Spain stands in their way; they are one win away from winning the country's second gold medal in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament. This would be a huge feat, similar to their predecessors' success in Barcelona in 1992. In the women's competition, the United States will look to win a record-extending fifth Women's Olympic Football Tournament gold medal when they face Brazil in Paris on Saturday. Emma Hayes' squad has won all of their games, but they have faced strong competition in the knockout rounds against Japan and Germany to keep their title dre...

All four remaining teams in the Women's Olympic event will compete on Tuesday evening.   This is what occurred. Brazil triumphs over defensively frail Spain. Brazil advanced to the Olympic final against the United States with a wild 4-2 victory over Spain. Disaster struck Spain early on as the ball was returned to goalkeeper Cata Coll, who mishit her clearance into Brazil's Priscilla, which rebounded off Irene Paredes and into the net. Spain gradually recovered and gained a footing in the game, but just as Brazil surprised them at the start of the first half, they did it again at the conclusion. Gabi Portilho headed home a wonderful cross from Yasmin deep into additional time, giving Spain enough to think about at halftime. In the second half, Spain was not looking like themselves, and they were punished by a powerful Brazil when Adriana ultimately nodded home after her initial attempt had hit the bar and pinged about the penalty area. Salma Paralluelo headed home from a ...

Hervé Renard has officially stepped down as head coach of the France women's team. Les Bleues were unhappy in their Olympic debut on home soil, falling 1-0 versus Brazil in the quarterfinals. Corinne Diacre is leaving after the 2023 World Cup, thus France is seeking for their third manager in as many years. Renard's managing career has been diverse, having previously managed Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Renard's appointment in March 2023 restored optimism to a team that had been divided and broken under coach predecessor, Corinne Diacre. Renard managed to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup and the Nations League final during his brief reign. Despite the players' praise for his hard work and professionalism, he was ultimately unsuccessful in transforming Les Bleues into one of the world's most powerful teams. And another quarter-final exit for France will undoubtedly be viewed as a significant disappointment for both the country and its now-former ma...

Marta had intended to end her international football career on a high note, but not like this. Following her participation in the Olympics, the Brazil captain is set to conclude a glittering career on the international scene. Marta's swansong may have been cut short when she was sent off shortly before halftime in Wednesday's Group C match against Spain. The 38-year-old was given a straight red card for a high-footed lunge that struck La Roja's World Cup-winning hero Olga Carmona in the head. Is this Marta's last appearance on the big stage?

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Ad hoc division for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has denied Canada Soccer's appeal against a six-point deduction imposed on its women's team. The points were deducted after Canada was caught spying on a New Zealand training session prior to their match on July 25. Coach Bev Priestman was also banned from the sport for a year and barred from attending games, while CSA officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander were also suspended, and the Association was fined £175,720. However, a statement issued by the CAS on Wednesday revealed that the appeal was dismissed and the points reduction upheld. The 2021 Gold Medalists face Colombia in their third Group A encounter later on Wednesday, having previously defeated New Zealand and France, both 2-1. They still have a tiny chance of qualifying if New Zealand defeats France and goal differential goes in Canada's favour.

Vivianne Miedema will depart Arsenal Women on June 30th, following seven amazing years. Some have agreed it was time she left (mostly due to her recent injury history), while others believe she still has many years to play at the highest level and should have stayed. The debate about whether she should have stayed or not is now meaningless because she is leaving. For most Gooners, the most exciting aspect of Miedema's departure is the club she will join. Miedema indicated that she will choose where she lives while on vacation. Rumors have circulated about the Dutch goal-scoring machine's next destination since she announced her departure from Arsenal. According to reports, Manchester City is leading the chase to get Miedema, while Arsenal's WSL rivals are considered favorites. Bayern Munich, her former club, is also thought to be interested in recruiting Miedema, though no formal attempts have been made to sign her. As much as we want Miedema to succeed, she should not come...

England Women   forward   Beth Mead   is confident the Lionesses have what it takes to turn their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign around when they face group leaders France in Saint Etienne. The defending European champions sit third in Group A3 with four points, five shy of Tuesday’s opponents after victory over the Republic of Ireland, a draw with Sweden and Friday’s 2-1 loss to Les Bleues in Newcastle. Sarina Wiegman’s side need to finish first or second in their group to directly guarantee themselves a ticket to next summer’s tournament in Switzerland, though the boss insisted England always have their sights on the top spot. Mead said: “We’re obviously very frustrated with Friday. We’ve got a team of winners, everyone is pushing for a starting place and that’s the competition within the team. “Every day, everyone is fighting for positions. We want to prove things don’t always go right – that’s football – and there’s no one more than the players who get frustrated and w...

Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for Manchester United Women, has withdrawn from England's squad due to a hip injury. Earps, who is out of contract with United in the summer, began in goal for the Lionesses against France at St James' Park on Friday. Her time on the pitch, however, was cut short when she suffered an injury in the first minute of Les Bleus' 2-1 defeat. Earps felt discomfort as he returned a pass to her feet before clearing the ball to defender Millie Bright. The United star received treatment and attempted to play through the pain barrier, but it became clear she couldn't continue as she struck the deck again. The 31-year-old was subsequently removed and replaced by Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. Following the final whistle, Earps was seen on crutches, raising suspicions that her condition was serious. Wiegmann stated, "I haven't spoken with her or the doctor. Of course I am concerned. She rarely leaves the pitch and uses crutches. I'm not sure, bu...

Sonia Bompastor, the first woman to win the Women's Champions League as a player and manager with Lyon, has been named Chelsea's new head coach on a four-year contract. The club also stated that Chelsea Women would become a separate entity, no longer sitting beneath but alongside the men's team. The club's ownership group will remain the controlling stakeholder of Chelsea Women and is dedicated to significant investment in the squad and sharing footballing resources, but the women's team will be constituted as a separate business. This is intended to attract fresh investment, and a bank has been contacted to investigate potential minority ownership of Chelsea Women. Bompastor's arrival comes after she led Lyon to this season's Champions League final, when the eight-time champions lost 2-0 to Barcelona on Saturday, their first loss to the Catalan club. The French manager was seen as the standout contender from a shortlist of four assembled by Chelsea's ge...