Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

It’s FINALLY HERE! The World Cup starts on Thursday, and we’ve got all the info you need ahead of the biggest women’s football tournament in history. Today, Chloe and Rachel look at England’s chances and whether they can find their attacking rhythm in time. We also check in on Ireland’s hopes, wonder if Sam Kerr can fire the Aussies to glory and assess the reigning Olympic champions Canada. Join u...

Carly has been to not one, not two, but THREE World Cups! So who better to tell us about how to prepare for a major tournament? Chloe and Rachel sit down with Carly for a fascinating pod, where Carly reveals her formative conversation with Mary Earps, how England really prepare their goalkeepers for penalty shootouts, and why Sarina Wiegman is less of a harsh taskmaster than you might think! Got a...

Chloe and Rachel convene after England’s final game before the World Cup ends with no goals and A LOT of substitutions. But has the reaction been… a bit much? We discuss recalibrated expectations, the backline conundrum, and The Lauren James Slot. Plus, Rachel gives us an Ireland update and we look into some astonishing developments for the Jamaica national team. Check out Upfront's new social cha...

Haiti’s opening game against England next month will be the country’s first match at a World Cup since 1974. To find out more about the remarkable story of England’s opponents, Chloe sat down with one of its stars Dani Etienne – who also has a truly inspiring tale of her own to tell! We're back on Monday! Got a question for us before then? Tweet us  @FootballRamble ,  @GirlsontheBall &nb...

It’s our first Upfront Down Under! Rachel is in Sydney and she simply HAD to kick off by talking to an Aussie. Fortunately, former Matildas midfielder Alicia Ferguson is about as Aussie as they come! Rachel quizzes her about the mood around the squad ahead of a huge month for women’s football, the Matildas’ transformation in recent years, and Ferguson’s own reflections on her international career,...

A month out from the World Cup, Chloe and Rachel convene (on the stairs) at St George’s Park for a special Lionesses pod! They discuss their impressions of England’s very first open training session, wonder whether this squad is weaker than the team last summer, and settle the striker debate once and for all. Plus, two HUGE exits from Manchester United leave Chloe in mourning and there’s news that...

Today, we’re joined by a Euros golden boot winner, a globetrotting striker, and an England legend: it’s Jodie Taylor! Chloe and Rachel quiz her about her time with the Lionesses, her thoughts on their current attacking options, and what it’s really like to play football all over the globe. Got a question for us? Tweet us  @FootballRamble ,  @GirlsontheBall  and  @Morgie_89 Sign...

Chloe and Rachel welcome one of the stars of Arsenal’s run to the semi-final of this season’s Champions League: it’s Scotland legend, Jen Beattie! She reveals what it’s REALLY like to face Barcelona in full flow – plus why Rafaelle Souza is one of the best she’s ever played alongside and what Steph Catley is like as a neighbour!  Got a question for us? Tweet us  @FootballRamble ,  @...

Chloe and Rachel throw out the red carpet and get their glad rags on for THE definitive awards in women's football! We pick our player and manager of the season, our favourite quote, our biggest WTF moment AND our favourite guest! If only Chloe could just pick one answer. Got a question for us? Tweet us  @FootballRamble ,  @GirlsontheBall  and  @Morgie_89 Sign up for our Patreo...

It’s our last WSL pod of the season! Chloe and Rachel are joined by the other half of Girls on the Ball, Sophie Downey, to look back on a finale which had Chloe’s heart in her arse again, of course! We discuss Emma Hayes’ future after some telling words, ponder on Reading’s future after eight years in the top flight came to an end, and doff our caps to Rachel Daly. Plus, a couple of - erm - friend...

Today, we’re speaking to one of the most exciting managers in the WSL right now: that’s right, Carla Ward is on the pod! Rachel sits down with Carla to quiz her about a special season at Aston Villa, how she has integrated so many new players into Villa’s ranks this season, and just what it’s like to coach Rachel Daly! Carla also opens up about her friendship with Emma Hayes, including the dig she...

Well, here we are: nine months after we kicked off, the WSL goes down to the final day. Chloe and recently qualified psychic Rachel give one final assessment of the runners and riders. It’s Chelsea’s to lose - can they get it done? Elsewhere, Leicester failed to condemn Reading to their seemingly inevitable relegation and Spurs played out the first Premier League-WSL double header at the Tottenham...

Chloe and Rachel react to an FA Cup final that was both historic and felt distinctly familiar as Sam Killer of Dreams Kerr strikes (and somersaults) again! They discuss how the final went down on both the Chelsea and Manchester United sides of the ledger and look ahead to a BIG weekend in the WSL. Warning: it features a truly disgusting number of permutations... Got a question for us? Tweet us&nbs...

And then there were two. Chloe and Rachel react to Liverpool’s defeat of Manchester City which leaves Manchester United and Chelsea in a two-horse race on the season’s final furlongs! Stay tuned for more Upfront mixed metaphors. We look at how Liverpool are doing it against the big sides – plus, FA Cup final predictions and we give our views on Reading as they finally slip closer to the trapdoor.&...

Ever wondered how business is really done, both for players in the media and on the pitch? Today, we’re joined by a football agent and a hugely important figure for women in football, Jo Tongue! From being a leading light at Women in Football, to her work in getting Eni Aluko on Match of the Day as the first ever female pundit, she tells Chloe and Rachel about the challenges and highlights of her...

It was an unforgettable night in the Champions League at the Emirates on Monday. Chloe and Rachel look back on the vibes, the Stina Blackstenius runs, the Jen Beattie headers, and the heartbreak at the end of it all. Plus, Rachel tells us about having a pint pulled by Leah Williamson, which is pretty bloody cool! There’s also the small matter of Chelsea’s display in Barcelona and we give our takes...

Despite early scares, Arsenal and Chelsea can be fairly happy with their Champions League semi-final performances against the big guns - can either side reach the final? And, after a heartbreaking ACL injury for Leah Williamson, we discuss why these injuries are so depressingly common and where this leaves the Lionesses ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Got a question for us? Tweet us  @Footb...

We almost had a Brighton vs Aston Villa FA Cup final! So close, and yet one Sam Kerr leap too far. Chloe and Rachel run the rule over two brilliant semi-finals, and speak with Alex Ibaceta for all the latest on Barcelona and Wolfsburg ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea’s Champions League showdowns. Plus, which WSL player would you trust to redecorate your house? And, trust us, the girls’ football takeaw...

How about Mary Earps’ penalty shootout last week, eh! Fittingly, Chloe and Rachel are joined by another keeper this week to look back on it all: former Arsenal, London Bees and Brighton shot-stopper, Sophie Harris! We reflect on what the Finalissima told us about the Lionesses in what was arguably their toughest test since the final of the Euros, while Sophie gives us the inside story at Brighton...

Today marks the release of a special report exploring one, simple question: has the Lionesses’ win led to more inner-city teenage girls becoming more engaged with the women’s game? The answer is no. In a fascinating conversation, Chloe and Rachel speak to the two people at the heart of the report to find out why. Got a question for us? Tweet us  @FootballRamble ,  @GirlsontheBall  a...

After an incredible four days for Arsenal, Chloe and Rachel are here to figure out just how they did it! And how on earth Katie McCabe went from crutches on Wednesday to scoring a trademark banger on Sunday… Elsewhere, Coventry United are relegated from the Championship - but why is no one talking about it?! And what does it say for the future of independent clubs? Plus, we’re joined by French foo...

Chloe and Rachel react to a barn-burning women’s football weekend alongside the Mail’s Women’s Football Correspondent, Kathryn Batte! We figure out how Man City finally toppled Chelsea to blow the title race wide open – even while Rachel is still unsure about them! Kathryn also explains why Chelsea’s season could be about to unravel… Plus, Matt Beard doesn’t want the Merseyside derby to become too...

We’re all Lewes, aren’t we? Chloe and Rachel relive an FA Cup weekend that had the ultimate David vs Goliath encounter and a sensational night for Aston Villa! We also catch up with Goal’s women’s football correspondent and all-round European big brain Amee Ruszkai to preview two titanic clashes for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Champions League, featuring a Lioness in Bayern colours! Got a question...

Rachel sits down for a special St Patrick’s Day interview with Birmingham City and Ireland defender Louise Quinn.  After qualifying for their first ever major women’s tournament, this Irish team have captured the nation’s imagination. Louise explains what the journey has been like from the very beginning – from heartbreak in 2008, to strike action in 2017 – and looks ahead to a historic summe...

Pour one out for Chloe Morgan! Manchester United’s title credentials took a huge hit at the weekend against Chelsea, as they showed (once again) who’s boss. Chloe and Rachel react! Elsewhere, Spurs have sacked Rehanne Skinner – but with no obvious replacement in tow. Chloe explains her sense of what’s going wrong at the club. Plus, ahead of Mother’s Day this weekend, we welcome West Ham and Icelan...