Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

Yes, Villa fans, we know you lost 7-3 at Villa Park... But PLEASE don’t start panicking about Natalia Arroyo. Everything’s fine, it was just a mad game...Elsewhere, we review a near-perfect week for Man United - even if Jim Ratcliffe seems intent on spoiling it. Plus, after the controversy around Eni Aluko this week, we chat about representation and inclusion within punditry across the women’s game.Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok 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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

You think you've seen it all before, perched on top of the wobbly commentary gantry at the Chigwell Construction Stadium... and then West Ham deliver those last 10 minutes against Brighton. Chloe and Rachel saw all the drama in the flesh and reflect on it all. What a relegation battle we've got on our hands!But first off, there's the small matter of Arsenal beating the league leaders Manchester City to continue the Renéeformation and at long, long last just going direct with Olivia Smith up top. We also discuss Chelsea's less than convincing win against Spurs and what the departure of their influential head of football means for the club moving forward. And Madonna rocks up to a WSL game! But we're not Hung Up on it...Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok 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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Few people know the transfer market better than Claire Rafferty. In her role at TransferRoom, she's spoken to clubs all over Europe and beyond about what they want, who they want and (crucially) how much they want to pay or earn.Claire joins Chloe and Rachel to reveal what's really going on in the transfer market: from commercially-driven signings, to the ever-growing number of Scandinavian players coming to the WSL, and the impact of no major tournament this summer.And as the spending in women's football keeps rising, will the numbers just keep going up? Plus, Chloe wants to know her own transfer value.Follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok 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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Chelsea have been well and truly dumped from their perch. Chloe and Rachel react to a remarkable game at the Etihad where Man City ran riot and Sonia Bompastor and her players were left stunned. We discuss the reaction among Chelsea circles and what's really behind their rapid demise from unbeaten WSL juggernauts.Elsewhere, Arsenal battle past Corinthians and their incredibly vibey fans – while Rach walks Chloe through the truly bizarre trophy presentation that followed. Plus, a quick round-up of the biggest transfer stories before the window shuts! Where will Katie McCabe be off to this summer?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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Today, we're joined by a true Chelsea and Wales legend. Rach sits down with Sophie Ingle to find out more about life at Bristol City since leaving west London last summer.They discuss Sophie's new perspective since returning from injury, how much she relishes the new challenge of WSL2, and her quiet style of leadership in dressing rooms throughout her career. Come join us!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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

More title race twists and turns in the WSL! Manchester City extended their lead at the top - despite a great performance from London City - while Rachel was dancing along to a brass band’s rendition of the Spice Girls and Chloe bumping into a two-time Ballon d’Or winner over a coffee. Just your usual afternoon at Bromley!Elsewhere, Arsenal impressed in their controlling win over Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham got some vital points and we look ahead to the Champions Cup - sparkly trophies and mild controversy included!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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Here at Upfront, we're often preoccupied by our age. This weekend in the FA Cup really, really didn't help.Chloe and Rachel look back on the best of the FA Cup action, including a big win for Liverpool after some big signings and heartbreak for our favs York City. Did they bottle it on purpose to avoid the night out with us? Possibly.Elsewhere, we discuss the findings of Deloitte's latest Money League report and why so many clubs are splashing the cash this January. Plus, a thorough League Cup preview that's not at all about sandwiches.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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Karen Carney might have been back from Strictly, but there weren't many quick-steps on the pitch at the Emirates on Saturday. Chloe and Rachel are reunited in the studio to look back on the first weekend of 2026 in the WSL, which had some familiar stories and one very controversial one involving Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Chloe gives a goalkeeper's perspective on time-wasting...Elsewhere, it's more pain for West Ham as we take a closer look at a catalogue of errors – and we get all excited for the FA Cup by speaking to one of the heroes in the 4th round this weekend, York City's Niamh Dooly! Will we invite ourselves on the possible post-match team night out? You bet we will.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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**

Eder, Rita – welcome to the WSL! Make sure to hold on tight to this merry-go-round here and get that seatbelt on. You're gonna need it.Chloe and Rachel are back from the Christmas break, although Rachel remains in Norway where she's presumably been looking for Spurs' next wonderkid signing.They discuss Jocelyn Prêcheur and Rehanne Skinner's sackings just before Christmas and where those decisions leave London City Lionesses and West Ham. Plus, Manchester United get on top of their business, Arsenal do their classic January window thing, and the girls share the one player on their transfer wishlists!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 rate and review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. It means a lot and makes it easy for other people to find us. Thank you!**