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Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast
Meet the man who left Chelsea Women to lead World Sevens Football
For over a decade, Adrian Jacob has helped shape Chelsea into one of the most successful and dominant teams in the game. Today, he sits down with Rach to take us inside that journey - from what it was like working with Emma Hayes to some of the club’s biggest moments. He also gives his take on accusations that Chelsea have ‘spent’ their way to success and explains why it’s up to other clubs to catch up.
But Adrian’s next project is just as ambitious: World Sevens Football - the new, women’s seven-a-side tournament launching next month. He breaks down what his role as Head of Football actually involves, explains why this competition could be a game changer, and addresses concerns about its potential impact on player loading, calendar congestion and whether it could widen financial gaps in the game.
Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.
For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.
**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**
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Upfront's Euro 2025 Awards! | Euro 2025 #16
45:44|Chloe and Rachel have just about peeled themselves off their ceilings in time to for our FINAL show of Euro 2025! And it's a big one...Back by popular demand, it's our first-ever Upfront Awards for a major tournament! Who is our Player of the Tournament? What was Chloe's spiciest moment (possibly sponsored by Nandos)? And what was Rach's favourite snap?We also discuss the impact of England's victory and how it compares to 2022!**Thank you so much for joining us throughout Euro 2025! It's been a wild ride. Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other listeners to find us next season. Thanks so much! We'll be back for the new WSL season very soon.**For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.ENGLAND ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS... AGAIN! | Euro 2025 #15
37:03|Rach's head has gone, Chloe's voice has gone – but we don't care! We look back on an incredible night for the Lionesses and English football.From Chloe Kelly's aura, to Leah Williamson and Jess Carter's masterclass, to Michelle Agyemang and her 22 older sisters... we're reliving it all the morning after the night before!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**Our Euro 2025 Final Preview! | Euro 2025 #14
40:00|It's here: England, the defending champions, take on Spain, the world champions. Chloe and Rachel are joined by England legend and BBC co-commentator Rachel Brown-Finnis to look ahead to what promises to be an extraordinary final.They discuss England's journey and the media narratives that have swirled around it – plus, RBF reveals what she would tell these England players to unlock that Spain defence. We also find out about the secret behind Michelle Agyemang's ice-cold persona and there's even time for our score predictions! Sort of...Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**Spain snatch victory and we answer your questions! | Euro 2025 #13
39:48|Aitana Bonmatí settled it with a cheeky moment of magic last night – but has a poor game left us feeling more optimistic about England's chances?Chloe and Rachel discuss a tale of two goalkeepers and how Germany managed to restrict Spain so effectively. Plus, we answer your burning questions ahead of the final on Sunday! Will Wiegman change her starting XI? Will England thrive without the ball? And has Chloe's impersonation of Rachel got any better? Tune in to find out!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**Queen Agyemang | Euro 2025 #12
40:05|What's good for England after the 80th minute isn't good for Rach's ulcerative colitis. But seriously: WHAT A GAME, WHAT A NIGHT!Chloe and Rachel sit down with hoarse voices to relive England's comeback win against Italy and celebrate Michelle Agyemang's calmness beyond her years, Chloe Kelly's 'it's me' mentality, and some absolute much-needed grit.We also salute Italy's run (but not some of their - ahem - dark arts) and ask: can Germany really do it again Spain? Chloe thinks so!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**Ann-Katrin Berger saves Germany and Spain break Swiss hearts! | Euro 2025 #11
47:19|Thought England vs Sweden was going to be the most chaotic game of the quarter-finals? Well last night Germany said: "hold my stein".Chloe and Rachel relive another extraordinary penalty shootout and discuss how France managed to mess it up against 10 players for over 100 minutes.Plus, Spain knocked the Swiss out – but the vibes were unrivalled. Rach tells us all about the atmosphere on Friday night!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**England beat Sweden on penalties... somehow! | Euro 2025 #10
36:59|One of the most emotional, chaotic, frustrating, heartbreaking, joyous matches you will ever see... but England are through!Chloe and Rachel take a breath and try to work out what happened on an extraordinary night in Zurich! Like... why did Sweden's keeper take their fifth pen!?Join us for a very, very necessary debrief!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**Italy prevail in the chaos and trash talk between England and Sweden! | Euro 2025 #9
35:48|Italy are back in the semi-finals of the Euros for the first time since 1997! And what a night for the ultimate national team captain, Cristiana Girelli. Just please ignore the fact that she's the same age as us.Chloe and Rachel relive a chaotic first quarter-final, which featured the most short-lived redemption arc for Ada Hegerberg and one of the best dugout-emptying goal celebrations you will ever see. Then, we look ahead to England's big test tonight against the Swedes – and there's been plenty of trash talk to contend with...Join the Official Upfront Euro 2025 Fantasy League here!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**The story so far: Spain's form, England's draw, and our favourite moments! | Euro 2025 #8
37:40|Now the group stages are done and dusted, Chloe and Rachel take stock of everything they've seen (and smelt) so far.What's been our favourite moment? Which nations and teams have surprised us? And will UEFA ever award a Swedish Player of the Match correctly?Plus, Barcelona-based presenter and friend of the pod Alex Ibaceta joins us! She gives us the lowdown on Alexia Putellas' incredible form and rising expectations among the Spanish public back home...Join the Official Upfront Euro 2025 Fantasy League here!Follow us on X, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube! Email us show@upfrontpod.com.For ad-free episodes and much more from across our football shows, head over to the Football Ramble Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.**Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**