WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY

IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...

• In Focus: Is Barça Femení’s Future Under Threat?

• Fave Finds: Lucy Bronze on what it takes to be a winner

• Kit Drop: Man United Third Shirt

• Transfer news: More Spanish players land in the WSL

• Download: New 2025/26 Fantasy WSL app lands

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🔍 IN FOCUS

End of an Era? Is Barça Femení’s Future Under Threat?

After years of dominating Liga F and Europe, Barcelona Femení now face a mass exodus of players amid strict financial rules from La Liga’s men’s league. Could this be the moment their reign starts to crumble?

What happened?

• La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules set spending limits on entire clubs, including Barcelona’s women’s, basketball, and handball teams, not just the men’s football squad.

• To comply, Barcelona has had to slash costs across the board, forcing them to release several backup and rotation players this summer.

• The squad now stands at just 17 senior players, one of the smallest and least experienced lineups in years, heading into a demanding season.

Why does it matter?

• This tiny squad leaves Barça vulnerable as they face a punishing calendar: Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Champions League, and international Nations League fixtures will all demand heavy rotation. With fewer players to call on, any injuries or dips in form could seriously impact their chances of silverware.

• The club now relies heavily on La Masia, their youth academy, to develop players quickly and fill the gaps. While a cornerstone of their philosophy, relying on youth amid such fixture congestion is a risky strategy.

• This summer’s Barcelona exits could be just what the Women’s Super League needs to mix things up. With fresh arrivals like Jana Fernández at London City Lionesses, Martina Fernández joining Everton, Fridolina Rolfö to Manchester United and Ellie Roebuck rocking up at Aston Villa, expect a real boost in quality and a shake-up in competitiveness.

What next?

• If La Liga’s financial pressures persist, Barcelona may face further departures or an even greater reliance on its youth ranks – an uphill battle given their ambitions on the European stage.

• Meanwhile, the WSL stands to benefit as it attracts more top Spanish internationals from Barcelona, injecting fresh talent and experience that could intensify competition across more clubs, especially in mid-table.

• Ultimately, all eyes will be on how Barcelona navigates these challenges and whether La Liga’s men’s league rethinks the financial limits that are currently forcing the women’s team to tighten its belt—even as the women’s side continues to grow in stature and ambition.

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

👐 Chelsea, with partner Cadbury, will offer on-screen British Sign Language interpreters at all men’s and women’s home games for 2025/26, the first club to do so in the WSL and Premier League. The “Sign with Fingers” campaign, working with the Chelsea Deaf Supporters Group and National Deaf Children’s Society, aims to make matchdays truly inclusive for deaf fans.

📺 The Barclays Women’s Super League TV broadcast picks are out. Arsenal v London City Lionesses (BBC One) and Man City v Chelsea (Sky Sports) are among the standout televised fixtures for rounds 2–4. Selected matches will also stream free on YouTube. Check the full list here.

🏟️ West Bromwich Albion Women will play at the Alexander Stadium from this season, a major show of support for their women’s team and a boost for fans in Birmingham. The club says it’s an important step in championing visibility and ambition for women’s football in the region.

👀 FAVE FINDS

Why is Women’s Football So Gay? Well, isn’t that the question?! Mundial has released a short film in tandem with its Sex and Love mag issue, and it doesn't disappoint. All of your favourite grassroots faces are involved; Becky and Flo from Counterpressed, Rach from Ballers and Joanie Evans of Hackney Women’s FC. Expect takes on subculture classics like ‘They’re Lesbians Stacey’ and a slightly more serious note on the inclusive heritage of women’s football. Watch here

Don’t miss Lucy Bronze’s interview on A Touch More with Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe. Expect some exclusive insights about that broken leg of hers, how she learned what it takes to be a winner, and reflections on her autism and ADHD diagnosis. It’s a great, in-depth chat where you get to see a different side of Bronze. Watch here

Need a cure for your Monday blues? Stick this on immediately. This mash-up of Ella Toone & Alessia Russo comedy moments will have you cracking up in no time.

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

Crystal Palace have bolstered their midfield with Belgian international Justine Vanhaevermaet, a central midfielder arriving from Everton. Vanhaevermaet, who can also fill in at the back, notably scored for Belgium against Spain at Euro 2025 and brings leadership and top-level experience as Palace rebuilds.

Brighton secured Swedish forward Rosa Kafaji on loan from Arsenal, bringing Champions League pedigree and attacking versatility, and French midfielder Maelys Mpome on a permanent deal from Chelsea, known for her technical flair and creativity in central midfield.

Bristol City add Vicky Losada, a creative central midfielder and Champions League winner with Barcelona, on a three-year deal. The 34-year-old, who has 65 Spain caps, arrives from Brighton and brings vision and ambition to City’s engine room. Also joining is Esther Morgan, a versatile Welsh full-back with 11 caps, whose pace and energy are a welcome addition down the flank after stints with Sheffield United and Hearts.

London City Lionesses strengthen their back line with Spanish defender Jana Fernández, 23, joining from Barcelona. Fernández boasts three Champions League titles and five league titles, offering experience and versatility in central defence.

Manchester City complete a permanent deal for Austria’s Laura Wienroither, a dynamic right-back and former Arsenal player, who returns from injury with eyes on silverware after signing through to 2027.

Manchester United secure Fridolina Rolfö, Swedish left-winger (who can also play left-back), from Barcelona. Rolfö brings two Champions League titles, four Liga F winners’ medals, and 100+ Sweden caps to Old Trafford. United are also in talks to sign Germany forward Giovanna Hoffmann from RB Leipzig, who played every match for her country at Euro 2025 and is known for her sharp attacking instincts.

📱 DOWNLOAD

Fantasy WSL has been rebranded and re-launched as Aerial Fantasy for the 2025/26 season. Same team, same company, same, but improved, app. The company behind Aerial Fantasy, Even Sports Ltd, have grown the app to over 30,000 participants, and it was time for a revamp: “We hope that by having our own name and identity, we’ll be able to secure investment from brands and sponsors so that we can reinvest into our growing game. To continue improving, innovating, and most importantly, keeping the game free to play forever. Because keeping women’s football accessible to all means so much to us.”

If you’ve never played a fantasy sports game before, it’s a great way to get to know players, teams, and keep track of everything going on in the league. The new app is available now:

• Download for iOS

• Download for Android

👟 KIT DROP

Manchester United’s new adidas third kit is here, and it’s a stunner. All-black with sharp yellow accents, a subtle red devil motif texture, and pops of blue, it nods to the iconic ‘90s strip. Adidas has continued its venture into cropped versions of its shirts on this one – if only we had the stomach for it. Get yours here.

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

League of Our Own: Launch Party
Friday 5 Sep 2025 19:00-23:45, East Dulwich Tavern, SE22 8EW,
Grab a ticket here

League of Our Own is South London's first non-FA-affiliated football league. It’s female-led, LGBTQ+ & trans inclusive. They’re hosting a launch party to raise some funds and kick things off in style. Think comedy, DJ sets, live Q&A, football games, raffles and live music. If you can’t make it but want to support this new league, check out their GoFundMe.

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

See you next week!

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