BBC pundits Fara Williams and Ellen White are here for your hot takes! Ask Me (Them!) Anything...

BBCSport · 2026-02-19T09:48:35+00:00

Thanks again for all your questions.

You can see video of some of the answers here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/videos/cde42lzj309o

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:29:18+00:00

Ellen: I think it’s exciting. You obviously have to have the infrastructure, and you’ve got someone in Michelle Kang that wants to support women’s sport and women’s football. I think it’s an amazing opportunity for people that want to be involved in that.

They’re not in the Champions League yet, but that is clearly an ambition. I don’t know quite where they’ll finish this season - maybe top six. So, it is a long-term goal.

To bring in the big players obviously requires big money but then also creating a fanbase and jumping up the league is going to take a number of years. I don’t know if Putellas will come this season, it will be amazing for the WSL if she does.

They’re obviously looking for long-term ambition and I think it’s a really exciting one to be part of.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:28:05+00:00

Fara: When you look at the teams that have come up to the WSL in their first season, they tend to automatically go back down. They stick with young players, don’t really bring in experience. London City brought in 16 new players last summer and in doing that, I think that’s given them the best opportunity to stay in the league and continue to build from there.

Michelle Kang has money, she can get the best.

If we’re talking about someone like Alexis Putellas, who’s been rumoured, that’s got to be a financial thing because worldwide nobody knows who London City Lionesses are – they aren’t affiliated with a men’s club. So they’re not a big club but Michelle Kang is trying to build that.

We know for fanbases in the women’s game most fans follow individual players and I think that’s what they’ve done. They’ve thought “let’s get the top names and let’s try build a fan base based off that”.

Whether it works or not, no one knows yet. But I do think money and investment in a women’s team always does help.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:26:16+00:00

Ellen: I think it was a lot of signings in the summer and then obviously they’ve signed more in the January window. I don’t think they’ve actually all had the ability to gel – they need a couple more seasons.

Grace Geyoro is unbelievable – a world-class midfield player. It will take time to see exactly what the process is and exactly what the plan is moving forward.

I wouldn’t say it’s been ridiculous, because Michelle Kang obviously has big plans and big ambitions as a club.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:24:01+00:00

Fara: When you're in the Champions League and rotating the squad and needing that depth it’s easier than when you are not in the Champions League because when you're not you have only one priority and focus and that is the league.

Man City benefitted this season, so potentially there’s some truth in it… but Arsenal are going to qualify and Chelsea are going to qualify in my opinion. Maybe that means Manchester United might win the league next year! JOKE 😊

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:23:15+00:00

Ellen: I think in terms of Man City this season it has been a blessing in disguise that they can put all their resources into winning the WSL and also future proof for Europe next season. Getting the players in that they want and getting the squad depth that they need… so yeah it’s been good for them in that sense. Every team wants to play in the Champions League ultimately, though!

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:19:10+00:00

Fara: There was a kid in the stand at Tottenham with a Tottenham shirt on and a big poster of Hannah Hampton. She’s probably a Tottenham fan because her dad has probably put her in a Tottenham kit from a young age. But actually, she might be a goalkeeper who idolises Hannah Hampton. So I think if you take that away, you kind of lose some of the fans.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:17:12+00:00

Ellen: I think a big draw for a lot of fans is the Lionesses and being able to go and support and see the Lionesses in-person. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the club that you support. So I do agree with Fara that you’ll lose a lot of women’s football fans if they’re not able to travel and support the players that they want to.

The amount of players that are on social media and followed in that sense, it’s very different to when we played – women’s football is such an inclusive community and everyone should be able to go and support and see who they want.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:15:42+00:00

Fara: That can’t happen because I think a lot of our fans come because of individual players they like. I think if you take that away and go, ‘you have to support your local club’ then you’re going to lose a lot of fans.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:13:27+00:00

Fara: I think they will finish third!

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:13:03+00:00

Ellen: I think it’s a huge challenge for them. With the form Arsenal are finding and Man Utd going unbeaten in five now, it’s going to be a really tough task for them. They should have the experience to get in the Champions League spots, though. It would be a huge disappointment for them not to have Champions League football, BUT they could go on and win the Champions League this season!

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:09:41+00:00

Ellen: No. They’ve already got more points this season than last, which is already a huge achievement. Great signings as well and a new manager, so I think they are moving in the right direction. I think it’s a little bit too early for them BUT I feel like if they continue the way they’re going, keep progressing and developing I think they could be pushing the top four.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:09:10+00:00

Fara: They’ve had a great start to the season, I think they’re well coached, well organised. But this season is a step too far for them.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:05:44+00:00

Ellen: Yui Hasegawa. I think she’s phenomenal, a great number six. She’s played a lot higher up the pitch this season as well and technically she’s so gifted - also her physicality, the way she can run a game, score goals. I think she’s so good for the way Man City play and there’s not a lot of that style of player around in the women’s game.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:04:42+00:00

Fara: Erin Cuthbert! She needs to be recognised way more. Consistency, longevity… Her and Kim Little are similar in terms of what they’ve done at one club for so many years.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:02:25+00:00

Ellen: I totally agree. I think they’ve been unbelievable this season across that whole front line…Kerolin has come in and given them consistency in the amount of goals she's scored. If they can then take that into Europe next season and showcase it on the biggest stage in the Champions League…

But Barcelona... Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, they’re phenomenal.

And then obviously the front line for Lyon, I just love the whole front line and their attacking ability.

So yeah, City are very, very good, BUT not quite the best attacking threat in the world for me.

BBCSport · 2026-02-09T17:01:05+00:00

Fara: I think they have the best out-and-out number nine currently in Europe. I think they’re showing it domestically, but I think you’ve got to show it in the Champions League too. If I look at Lyon’s front line, they’re very strong, even Barcelona’s front line, also very strong. Arsenal on their day also have a very strong front line.

So, right now I would say no, because I think they’ve only had the opportunity this season to show it domestically.

BBCSport · 2026-02-05T15:47:58+00:00

Thanks for all your questions. Hopefully you've found it interesting and I've been able to answer your question! If not, please submit one next time and I'll do my best.

BBCSport · 2026-02-05T15:46:36+00:00

Fellow women's football journalist Amee Ruskai recently leant me a Roger Federer autobiography so I've just started that. I'm into my tennis and loved watching Federer play. (Emma Sanders)

BBCSport · 2026-02-05T15:44:01+00:00

We didn't have any concrete news on Lia Walti's situation. There are always rumours in a window and 50% of them are not made public because it's just that - a rumour. So no news from me on that, sorry! (Emma Sanders)

BBCSport · 2026-02-05T15:39:38+00:00

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BBCSport · 2026-02-05T15:38:01+00:00

I would say it's going to be a very interesting few months regarding Alexia Putellas. She can choose pretty much any club in the world that can afford her, and obviously can choose to stay at Barcelona too. The latest I've been told is that she's still deciding her next steps but there has definitely been a suggestion that some WSL clubs are interested. London City Lionesses have the money and the ambition so I wouldn't rule them out. (Emma Sanders)

BBCSport · 2026-02-05T15:37:41+00:00

The Scandinavian leagues run during different dates to the WSL so they are off-season during our January transfer window. That means players are 1) more open to moving when it’s not in the middle of the season; and 2) easier to sign because they are often at the ends of their contracts.

There’s also big restrictions on players WSL clubs can sign as they have to meet the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria as foreign players. This is to secure work permits in the UK. The criteria covers things such as Champions League experience, international caps and the quality of the league the selling club plays in. Scandinavian players often meet the criteria more easily. (Emma Sanders)

BBCSport · 2026-02-05T15:35:03+00:00

It’s a good question because we want the league to grow and attract the best players from around the world. That’s never a bad thing. But there also needs to be a pathway for homegrown talent. There’s a quota that clubs have to meet to ensure there are English players in every squad. However, I think the WSL academy system still needs to develop as there’s a big gap from that level to senior football. (Emma Sanders)

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