BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ben Haines and Ellen White are back! First up, they dissect Arsenal’s frustrating goalless draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Despite dominating possession, the Gunners failed to find a clinical edge in front of goal - what could dropping early points mean for their title charge? Ellen and Ben also react to Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL season.
Former England and Manchester United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod as the team take a deep dive into the rise of club and confederation-funded fertility care, IVF assistance, and egg-freezing options. Ellen and Siobhan examine how far the sport has progressed since their playing days and how increased fertility support and knowledge benefits players on and off the pitch.
Siobhan also gives her thoughts on Manchester United’s transition period under new head coach Eva Olid, before the team react to the newly revealed 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist. With stars like Alessia Russo and Bunny Shaw in the mix, can a WSL player finally conquer Barcelona’s dominance over the award?
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ben and Ellen are back!
01:45 - Arsenal drop points at the Emirates against Crystal Palace.
07:15 - Reaction from Georgia Stanway and Renee Slegers.
11:15 - Praise for Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
14:15 - Reflections on Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City’s 100% start.
19:37 - Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod for a special discussion on increasing fertility support in women’s football.
28:50 - More on Chelsea’s partnership with Fertility Plus.
37:15 - We get Siobhan’s thoughts on Manchester United’s period of transition.
41:52 - Reflections on the 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist.

Burnley manager Jackie Bachteler sat down with Emma Sanders to talk about contracting sepsis and how nine months ago she was fighting for her life.
The American had just joined the club to work with the women's first team and men's academy but three weeks later, Bachteler was rushed to A&E and diagnosed with sepsis - a life-threatening illness that left her bedridden for days.
Jackie talks very honestly about how it took her months to recover and she still suffers from regular post-sepsis symptoms today.
Burnley host Sunderland in the WSL2 on Sunday which coincides with World Sepsis Day.

Arsenal's Kyra Cooney-Cross opens up to Jo Currie about the death of her mother two months ago. Kyra's mum was diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer, in January of this year.
Kyra talks about navigating grief and how her mum helped her football career. Kyra returned to football after six months away from the game, but credits her teammates and the club for their support during an incredibly difficult period.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help and support is available at BBC Action Line.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Ben and Ellen are joined by The Guardian's Tom Garry as the WSL returns! Kick off times have changed this season, what is the best time for a women's football audience to have games played? Is the Sunday evening match a good idea and who does it appeal to most?
Elsewhere London City Lionesses started strongly with some of the biggest global stars in their line up, however none of their starting XI were English.
Tom and Ellen debate what this means for football in England and the development of the game. Should the league be doing more to help home grown talent?
Plus an investigation is under way after Crystal Palace breached a rule by using four substitution windows in their 1-0 win over Everton.
 
TIMECODES:
01:00 - WSL returns and so does Tom Garry!
05:30 - Kick off times
10:35 - Sunday evening debate
20:10 - London City Lionesses & United struggle
26:40 - English players in the WSL
33:50 - Good start for Man City but enough to compete in Europe?
37:00 - Palace breaking subs rule

Em Sanders is at Anfield for the final stop of our media day tour before the WSL season kicks off on Friday!
First up, Gareth Taylor sits down with Em to discuss consistent behaviours on and off the pitch, having a full pre-season with the squad, and his passion for gardening. Scottish midfielder Sam Kerr also drops by to reflect on her leadership style and driving standards in the squad.
Plus, two summer arrivals join the pod. England goalkeeper Khiara Keating talks reuniting with Gareth Taylor, maturing on and off the pitch, and her ambitions with both Liverpool and the Lionesses, while Sara Agrež discusses her defensive attributes and inspiring the next generation of young girls in Slovenia.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Em Sanders is at Anfield for the final media day diary episode!
00:39 - Gareth Taylor interview.
15:35 - Sam Kerr interview.
21:45 - Khiara Keating interview.
30:47- Sara Agrež interview.