Football Daily - Women’s Football Weekly: FA Cup final preview and England trio return

Episode Date: May 13, 2025

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines react more history made being made by Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea as they became the first the first WSL side to finish a 22-game season unbeaten. Ellen and Jen also talk Chloe Kelly’s recent form as Arsenal sealed second place in the league.We hear from Sarina Wiegman as the Lionesses are handed a big Euros boost with the return of Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood for their upcoming Nations League games.Plus, Manchester United duo Maya Le Tissier and Elizabeth Terland join the pod ahead of the FA Cup final this weekend where they will aim to defend their title.TIMECODES: 01:30 - Chelsea beat Liverpool so seal an invincible season. 05:00 - Arsenal seal second place in a seven-goal thriller against Manchester United. 07:25 - Chloe Kelly’s form at Arsenal. 12:15 - Sarina Wiegman on her 27-player England squad for the two games Nations League games against Portugal and Spain. 14:40 - Ellen and Jen react to the latest Lionesses squad. 20:20 - Maya Le Tissier and Elizabeth Terland join the pod to talk about defending their FA Cup title. 30:40 - Ellen and Jen on their FA Cup experiences. 37:18 - Nathalie Bjorn on Chelsea’s hopes to complete a domestic treble.

BBC Sounds music radio podcasts. On the Football Daily, the Women's Football Weekly with Ben Haynes, Ellen White and Jen Beattie. Welcome along to the Women's Football Weekly. The WSL's done and dusted for another season, more history made by Sonja Bomber Stores Chelsea as they become the first WSL side to finish a 22 game season unbeaten. We'll get into what happened on the final day, Serena Vigman's latest England squad and look ahead to the FA Cup final with Man United duo, Mea Letitiae and Elizabeth Turland.

But first, alongside me every week as always. Hello, Ellen. Hello, Jen. How are we both? Hello. Good. Very birthday, Jen. Very big week for you two. birthday week for both of you.

Birthday week, we're me babies. Do you do- What a great month, what a great month. Yeah, so bad. I have a question, do you do birthday week, like do you try and extend it out, or are you very much one and done, in and out, let's just do this 24 hours?

Yeah, I'm just, to be honest, once you hit 30s, you don't really think about it. Yeah. Rolling on, just keep rolling on, just surviving. I'm the same as Ellen. I like doing, you know, one dinner, one great celebration with your friends, family, whoever you can, but I'm not, I'm not a birthday week or a birthday month kind of person. Let's get on with the football. The WSL finished the same way it has for the past five seasons,

with Chelsea very much on top. Sonja Bombastore guiding them in her debut season to the title with two games to spare. And then the question was, were they going to finish unbeaten? Of course they did. Absolutely fantastic over the course of the season, but if we try and separate this out, Jen, into one, the achievement of picking up almost where Emma Hayes left off and winning the league with a new manager and with a new style, and two, going unbeaten, what is the more impressive of the two? I'm going to say going unbeaten,en I think is super impressive. I think especially since you know the narrative that we all say is it's one of the best leagues in the world WSL. We all say how competitive it is and I genuinely still believe that. I think it's very very rare for

teams to go unbeaten. Of course we see like the likes of Lyon and Barcelona do that and dominate in their domestic leagues. But I think we would say that WSL is very competitive and it hasn't happened for a long, long time. So I think in this day and age to go unbeaten in a super competitive where much more teams are investing and putting more into their women's teams, I think to go unbeaten is much more impressive than a new manager. Well, let's just stay with that then. Does that lean into that idea, Ellen, of them being able to find ways in games

where maybe they haven't always been at their best with these 10 one-nils that they've had? Yeah, it's incredible. Their mentality, like you said, to still stay in games where maybe they aren't on top for some parts of the game, the opponents are having chances, but then they just have that one moment where they're able to capitalise and score and then also if they're not performing well, not lose. So obviously in those 22 games unbeaten, I think they've drawn three wasn't it

so in those moments where they probably haven't been performing great they still haven't lost which I think is quite impressive that they've managed to come away with a draw and been like okay it isn't a win but we still got a point on the board we haven't lost so I think that is impressive that mentality and yeah to have one nil scorelines in 10 occasion, that's just crazy and I think that does show the competitiveness that everyone that wants to play against Chelsea, it's a cup final for them, they want to put them under pressure, they want to change their tactics, they want to not allow Chelsea to play and perform the way that we know that they can so it's been a phenomenal season for them to go unbeaten and then Sonia Bonpaso to come in and to do that in her first season is incredible.

So yeah, amazing season for them. Other scores from the WSL, Man City came from behind twice to end their campaign with a win over relegated Crystal Palace. Totten closed out the season with a 1-0 draw at Everton, meaning they finished 11th and Leicester finished a difficult season with an entertaining victory over West Ham. Villa finished with five wins in a row as they beat Brighton at home. Over at the Emirates, Arsenal came second place in a seven goal thriller against Man United and that means that the Gunners will enter next season's Champions League in

September's final qualifying round unless they beat Barcelona in this season's final on the 24th of May while Man United will go into the second round of qualifying in August. Now we'll get into Arsenal's recent form next week when we build up towards that Champions League final but I think it is one of those things that is almost a case of you tomorrow thanking you for today's work, for putting in the grind now and getting over the line and finishing second because that extra bit of time in an already packed summer for a lot of those players is really going to help Helen.

It's vital. I think it was so important for Arsenal to get that win off the back of some pretty horrendous results, obviously conceding nine on the bounce which was awful for them as a club and I feel like they did turn it around. It was a great game, I was there. It was mental, absolutely mental, the game at the Emirates against Man United but they got the win. They had a mental 11 minutes where they scored three goals and just absolutely destroyed Man United, but then they allowed them to get back in. But it was vital for their team to be able to have that little bit of rest when they are away on international duty, to be able to have a little bit more time before coming back into pre-season to go into that final round of qualifying,

if but they could win the Champions League and have way longer, which would be absolutely amazing. But I think it just gives them a little bit more breathing space, I think. Yeah, I think it's massive. I think we just literally spoke about Chelsea's mentality and this coming into the season, how exhausting it is. And I think Arsenal maybe showed that a little bit, whether it be mentally off the back of semi-final, the amount of games. It's at this point in the season where you start to do uncharacteristic things and they were off the back of so many clean sheets and now all of a sudden it's conceding so many goals and you do start to think, is that a fatigue thing? Is it physically? Is it mentally? What can we do to get little bits of more

rest which I've no doubt the whole team behind the team are trying to figure that out and do that, but I think it's, they will be thinking it's so vital that we finish second so that we can get more gaps and more moments for rest even at the start of next season. It's crazy that you think that far ahead, but you do and it's vital and the team will be planning for that already now that it's secured because come this end of the season that rest you had six months ago matters and it just goes to show that Arsenal are in a Champions League final they want to be in this position next year

how can they make it better with getting more rest when and where they can. Player of the match on the day Chloe Kelly got an assist and a goal when When you think about it, and how much we spoke about her in January, well, I can remember us sitting here and talking about her Instagram post and us all saying just how brave it was that she tried to put herself in a position where she was going to play. When you now roll on what I don't know, five months later, you think, gee, what a decision that was. Yeah, what an incredible decision. Brave, so brave of her to come out and speak and use her voice and to make that move obviously to Arsenal, which is a very competitive squad, especially in the position that she plays as well. She needed, you know, to train and be happy and enjoy it and I feel like Renée coming in I think has really helped her as well

with the style of play really suits Chloe. She just looks like she's on another level at the moment and I think for Chloe it's about being happy, being fit, being in an environment where she's loved and her football just seems to do the talking and I think she's just got better and better And her football just seems to do the talking and I think she's just got better and better as January's gone on really and I think you know this season obviously didn't start Great for her, but I feel like she's completely turned it on her head and she wants to be in that euro squad You know, I feel like she's now in that starting 11 foot for Arsenal. She's got a Champions League final It's just it's just absolutely mental and I feel you know feel super proud of her for what she's done and how she's turned it around and how she's just used football as an amazing tool to be happy and

enjoy it and to be in that football family. I'm sure Jen will speak about it. It seems like a really together and lovely community and I feel like they need to sign her. She needs to stay there because I feel like it just suits her perfectly. I'm not sure what you think but I would question Man City in this situation. I'm like why couldn't you get the best out of her? What like, of course none of us are ever going to know what happens when you close doors, what happened. But I'm thinking you had a Chloe Kelly on your bench and you didn't use her and you see the form she's in now and you see the injuries that Man City have had and you let a player let that go and I would question

it. I'm like why? Because as a teammate in that situation I'm thinking why are those kind of players on the bench? Why are they not playing? With Lauren Hemp being out injured, all these big names at Man City, I'm thinking why couldn't Gareth Taylor play her? What happened? And you see her going, of course she's in a Champions League final now, in the best place, and everything happens for a reason, and she's doing incredibly well now, and it's so great to see. But if I was in Man City at the minute and I'm seeing a player like that leave and go and thrive somewhere else, whilst we're all struggling with injuries and losing and not playing well and trophy-less also, and Nick Cushing has come out and losing and not playing well and trophy-less

also. And Nick Cushioning has come out and said that, how that's not in a great position to be. I think we need to question Man City in those kind of situations and be like, what are we doing? What's our strategy? What's the plan going forward? I think everyone should be frustrated at that one. What do you think happens now for her, Jen? She looks happy. She looks like she's enjoying her football. I think Arsenal need to sign her. I think it's been a great move for her in every way possible. I remember seeing her after the semi-final against Lyon and just thinking, I was just so happy for her.

Because no one ever wants to see an unhappy player. And that's what she came out and said. And to go see her, not just be happy, but play well, get player of the match performances, make a Champions League final, why would she want to go anywhere else? I can see her staying for sure and I think that's what needs to happen on both sides. I agree with Jen, I think that's a great point. What are they doing? Why are you making a player so unhappy? Yes, you've got other players in that team as well and it's all competitive, but you've still got to love a player and you've obviously you've still got a player she's a phenomenal talent and it just it does blow my mind that she wasn't getting the minutes that she deserved and she wasn't out on

that field performing and I feel like Arsenal made a great decision to take her in that January because I think a lot of people questioned it as well But I think like, you know, she's she's done phenomenally well, and I think it seems like a real great suit for her But yeah It just blow my mind that they wouldn't want her to thrive in that environment because they've seen it For two or three years before that and I was there and it was amazing to have someone like that Whip whip a ball like Chloe Kelly can and be that number nine. It's a dream or three years before that and I was there and it was amazing to have someone like that whip a ball like Chloe Kelly can and be that number nine. It's a dream. Yeah and a dream for Serena Vigman to have her in this form as well. When we were having the

conversation at the beginning of the year about will Chloe Kelly get herself into a place where she will be in that squad, it now looks very much like she's almost secured her place in the squad for Switzerland. She's in the squad again for the final games of the Nations League group stage at the end of the month. England will play against Portugal, and then four days after that, they travel to play top of the group, Spain. The other big headlines from that squad selection,

Greenwood, Hemp, Stanwy, all return. Let's hear from Serena Wigman now. She's been speaking about the impact that those trio have. They'll give the rest of the squad a lift and they bring level. But also the players who we have already in bring level too. It's just now that the group becomes a bit bigger. Some, what I said in the press conference too, some players who have been in environments,

who came in new, has done pretty good too. So yes, it's really good to see and have some players back and see how they relate and how they compete with each other and at the same time be teammates. Obviously that was the positive side of the squad announcement. I'm sure it's disappointing for you not to be able to name Lauren James in the squad. At what stage is she at at the moment? And with having had quite a few injury problems and struggles in recent months. How much at risk I suppose is she potentially missing out on the euros at the moment?

Yeah we made a plan together with with Chelsea and herself we made a plan. She's where she should be at the moment and again what we tried to do with her is build her, get her back. She's also working really hard to get in the right stage. And then also, of course, at some timings, she needs to tick some boxes to continue her rehab and make it happen that she can make the Euro squat where she needs to be healthy again.

She needs to be able to train at the highest level and then recover from training, and of course build then minutes and perform at the highest level and that's what we will know over time and we have about seven weeks. How close is this squad that you've named today? How close is it to your Euro squad? We played those two games in the NAACP and you never know what happens in football. Expect the unexpected but hopefully everyone comes out fit at that camp and then we have very hard decisions to make.

That week also gives us the opportunity to see some players competing with each other for a position in the training sessions we have. Katie Goner with the questions there to Serena Vigman. Today marks 50 days to go until the start of the Euros. And I think for me, Ellen, the question that I would be asking is just how close to full fitness can you get someone like Georgia Stamway in that time?

Is that enough time to make sure that she is absolutely fine? Do you think this is potentially Serena saying, I trust that you're gonna be okay and good to go? It's a great question. I don't know. She's been sorely missed. It's a big injury. She's obviously been doing a lot of rehab with Bayern. So, you know, this is a chance for her to come back into the environment, train with the team. And if she is able to get some minutes,

then that would be really important. And I think, you know, she's vital for this England squad. And like Serena said, seven weeks. It's not a lot of time, but then it is a lot of time at the same time for someone that is coming back for injury. So I think it is just really important for her to be with the group. Yeah, I just hope that she is able to get some minutes and to be able to get back up to that level. There's obviously a level where you get back to your club, but then there's another level where you've got to get back up to international football and that's quite a big jump and it's quite challenging to be able to get to that level.

Georgia knows how to get to that level obviously, but it's been a big injury. Same with Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood, big injuries. So now it's can you rise from your club to your international standard and it is challenging but this is a great opportunity for them to be back in the group and it will really like she said lift the group as well. At major tournaments Jen do you notice over the course of that that period of time post-season as you go through those training camps do you notice what the levels are that you need to get to? Do you look around at the rest of the group and go, oh, I might be a bit short here, or I'm okay,

I'm ahead of the game? You know, I was thinking about this when Ellen was speaking there and kind of the feeling of because a lot of players have been in this situation where you have a big injury before a tournament and you're thinking, right, I don't have the opportunity to get minutes at club, Stanway being the perfect example, season's finished, hasn't had the opportunity. And there's, this is the interesting part about rehab, there's always certain markers that you make, whether it's your high speed running in a week or your strength program, you know where you have to be for it to be your peak. And of course you'll get back to your peak going into a camp

or going into a big international game. But there's always that little doubt of, right, I haven't played minutes. I haven't done the stuff that you can't measure, the unplanned moments in a game, those match moments that you can't train for, simple as that. But yeah, 100%. I think this is a great opportunity for her

to get back into the national team environment, have a feel for where everyone else is at. You're constantly, I think a lot of players do it, you're constantly comparing yourself to other strikers, to other centre backs. Do they look sharp? Do I feel sharp? You're constantly questioning and that's the reason why all of those players are at international level is because they push themselves and they have the drive. And I've no doubt she'll be doing the exact same thing. She'll be watching everything, questioning, have I done enough? Has my plan been right? Trusting the process and she's put herself in a situation where she's re-selected and hopefully they can build her up so that they're all ready for the next 50 days from now.

Another inclusion, Ella Morris, the latest Young lioness to earn a senior call up. Serena Vigman said, I really wanted to see how she relates in our team and how close she is for selection and how ready for playing she is. Michelle Adjimang retains her place. There's a recall for Missy Bo Kearns. Lauren James misses out, as we heard through injury. No Millie Turner, Lucy Parker or Lotto Abumoy as well in defence. No Jess Nas or Maisie Simmons.

Now Ellen, does the lack of inclusion for those players and I suppose particularly Halfanai and Lauren James here, does that mean it's too late or is there still a chance to make it into that Switzerland squad? Still still a big chance that they could get into that Switzerland squad and they might have already had conversations where they'll come into prep camp as well. Because if anything was to happen to any of those players, you need those players in, in the prep camp, in all the meetings. It's a big responsibility. I'm sure Katie Zelham said it before, that she had the heartbreak of not being in the

Euro squad and she was in our whole prep camp the whole time and then wasn't selected but you need those people and it is, it's a very unselfish role to be in where your summer's gone. You've got to be in that prep camp, you're training, you've got to be up to international standard, anything can happen and you're then brought straight into the squad. It is a really unselfish role to play but it's so important and obviously injuries happen, things happen, it's football, it's life and you could be the one that's going to the Euros so you have to be ready and if you're not in that prep camp you've still got a train potentially, you could be on one of those standby call-ups so it's a bit of a roller coaster for those people

but if they want to ride that roller coaster, they could be going to the Euros. The 72 Plus. On the Football Daily. I'm Aaron Paul. And I'm Joby Mackenna. And on Wednesdays on the Football Daily, we bring you 72 Plus, the home of the EFL from Five Life Sport.

As we'll get stuck into the latest from the Football League and beyond. They've got so much quality there. For me, worthy winners. They've only actually lost four games all season, which is quite remarkable really. That's 72 plus, the EFL podcast only on the Football Daily. Listen on BBC Sounds.

On the Football Daily, the Women's Football Weekly with Ben Haynes, Ellen White and Jen Beattie. Welcome back to the Women's Football Weekly podcast. We're picking back up on Chelsea. They're looking to make it a domestic treble on Sunday in the FA Cup final. They're taking on Man United and we had the chance to catch up with United's Meia Letizier and Elizabeth Turland ahead of this weekend's game. I went down to their Carrington training ground to find out how they're feeling about the final. Elizabeth, Meia, thank you so much for sitting

down with us. I feel like we should start by saying I have just asked you Elizabeth what you'd like to be called and you have said you're okay with Terry. I'm not just suddenly going super colloquial and just starting calling you Terry like as if you might be a middle-aged man. How are you both getting on? What an exciting couple of weeks you've got ahead of you. I've gone long. Sorry, what a start. And Mejia, tell me how much it means to you to be going into a third FA Cup final in a way. Yeah, it's cool.

Can't wait for it. Yeah, it's special to be able to go again. You never really know when the next one's going to be, but obviously every season you hope it's going to be in the season and yeah, it's really exciting. We can't wait. And I read that you've been a Man United fan all your life Terry, where did that stem from and how special for you to be going out to play at Webley for an FA Cup? So my family or I had a brother that supported United and then it was a fight between my

brother and my dad because he supports Liverpool. Oh wow. And then he won that fight so I just became became a fan. And then, yeah, it's going to be a sick game. And I can't wait. And yeah, I really want to win something with this team. So of course, it's extra special when you support the team as well. Meir, you've experienced the FA Cup final in both ways,

right? So you had a really tough day, but also you had a brilliant win as well. Having tasted both of those feelings, do you get drawn, almost addicted, to the idea of wanting to go out there and win? Yeah, for sure. I think, obviously, the first final was horrible.

We were so close and we played really well that game. Yeah, it wasn't our day in the end, but then, yeah, last year was, oh, it was so special, I think it was honestly the best day of my life. When we won that trophy it was so cool so to be able to do it again would be a dream come true. Were you able to enjoy it last year? Because you were in control for a lot of the fun and it felt like particularly in the second half you sort of moved to a place where you were able to play the game at the tempo that you wanted to? Yeah, it was really weird actually. I can't remember if it was one or two in that half time, but whatever. We scored the goals at really good times, like two in score just before half time.

Yes, it must have been one now and then obviously we got a goal straight after half time as well, so it was just like pretty sound and then yes, we just, I think we scored two hours and Spurs just weren't coming out anymore, so it was just like cool. You could like just have fun and play the game and taking the support as well Which you don't usually get to do in a final. It's a really good atmosphere as well. Yeah, it was really really good. Yeah for you Elizabeth How much are you looking forward to that idea of walking out there and it being That atmosphere that many fans and it also being that idea of walking out there and it being that atmosphere, that many fans and it also being that sort of special occasion? I mean the girls have talked a lot about the

final last year and said that, like she said it was the best day of her life so I have really wanted to like experience that as well after them talking about it. So yeah, I think it's going to be very special and I'm looking really forward. On our podcast, Ellen White is on with us every week. And earlier on in the season, Mark's going to compare Elizabeth to Ellen White. And I just wondered what you made of that comparison and how much have you enjoyed playing alongside her this season? What am I going to say? No joking, yeah. You have to embarrass her now. She's not really hyper up.

No, I think the same as Ellen. Terry's work rate is unbelievable. It makes our life so much easier, I think, for the rest of the team as well. We know that she's always going to start the press and then all of us are behind her when she starts and then we go with her. So yeah, I think everyone talks about how many clean sheets we've kept this season, but it really is a team effort. I think just the background and the keeper can't take all the glory. It really is a team effort the way that we press and yeah, Tess starts a lot of it and scores a lot of our goals as well, which is great. Very helpful. Yeah, it's very helpful to be honest. How much do you enjoy that side of the game? Because at times it can be quite thankless, right?

Putting in that level of running, that amount of pressing. Do you get something back from it? It's a really good team at the moment because everyone is aware that every role is very important. And like, just Meiya saying that, obviously, like she... I know that everyone is aware of that my press is really important and I know that it's important as well And to be honest you just want to do whatever you can for your teammates in this team because you love everybody And then yeah, I will run my socks off every game because that's what is demanded of me But I also get joy from it because you want to do everything to help the team win

It's your turn to make me a blush now. What's it like alongside her? Be nice to help the team win. It's your turn to make Meija blush now. What's it like to play alongside her? Be nice. Why are you struggling with things like that? I'm not struggling, I was just like... No, I think... I say it to Meija all the time that I think she's literally one of the best defenders in the league or the best defender in my opinion.

And I always hated playing against her because you know those players that it's just like you know that they're always aggressive they're like always in your bike they always yeah she's one of those players and you can always count on her you know that like I know that every game she's gonna be a hundred percent so like then I know that like I look to her and then I know that if I look how she's gonna be a hundred percent so like then I know that like I look to her and then I know that if I look at how she's playing I know that I'd need to play like that every game so she sets a really good example. Thanks Taz. Do you want me to keep going?

I didn't know what to look at! Before you were on the same team did you like having a bit of a battle? Yeah obviously I knew Tess was a great player. I actually, I think we played, you played against Dassa at Lee. Yeah. And I said to Harvey, our scout, I was like, we've got a signer. You were on the scout report? Yeah, I said to Harvey, we need to sign Terlin.

It's just like, yeah, a pain. Yeah, it was, obviously I was at Brighton as well, so then when Tess was there, I think a lot of our friends are the same friends as well, and everyone was speaking so highly of her, so yeah, thought better get her to the club. Well played. So, Jen Beatty on the pod. She talked the other day about celebrating defensive wins

in the same way that forwards celebrate scoring goals. And the idea of making sure that when you get something right defensively you get up and you actually soak it up, high five, go crazy. I know that's a bit of a thing at United. Can you talk to us a little bit about that? I don't know, we're just so gassed like when anyone makes a block or like does a sick tackle it doesn't even matter who it is like the wing is tracking back or even you blocking in the box like it doesn't even matter who it is but yeah the wing is tracking back or even you block it in the box Like it doesn't even matter who it is. But yeah, we love defending like honestly We really love defending like the whole of the back line and Yeah, when far makes big saves as well I think we know that if we keep clean sheets

We know that we've got the quality up the up the other end of the pitch to to win the game So I think it should be you should be allowed to enjoy it. For the longest time, I think defenders are almost expected to kind of get on with the job and then you've done your job a little bit. I quite like the idea that you guys, you're flying to a challenge, you win a big 50-50 and you'll get up and get in each other's faces.

It feels like quite a nice thing that you have between you. Yeah, it's just fun. I actually love them all. Obviously me and Mel have played so many games together now and we have such good partnership. And obviously with Jado and Gab and Anna and Aoife coming in, yeah, I don't know. We just love defending.

I don't really know how to describe it. We just love defending. Yeah, and just making blocks and tackles it's just like my favorite thing to do doing sly tackles and that so yeah I guess it's just that that we're just so gasp for each other. Can you tell me a little bit about Champions League and how special it is to know you're going to be a part of that again obviously you'll have to go through qualifying but even still to be in and amongst those teams that are in or on the top table of European football that must be nice. Yeah, it's a great achievement for us as a team as well. We just got over the line the other day

so it was a great game I think for the neutral, a bit stressful for us on the pitch but yeah, it does mean a lot to the players. Obviously was in it for a short while with my first season so hopefully we can go even further this season but yeah I think even today everyone's so exciting and yeah we can't wait to start that run as well. A lot of strikers talk about the idea of visualising scoring goals or thinking about the way that they would finish chances have you thought about the idea of scoring at Wembley? Obviously you want to... yeah? Yeah!

Back it, come on, commit! No, yeah, I've had a small thought, maybe. Marjole, celebration plan? Tiny one. Yeah, you better be excited. Oh, absolutely. Do you know how you're celebrating? I can't tell you how it's going to be. You need to be excited.

It just has to be in the moment, on the day. No, it's planned already. Oh wait, you already know what you're going to do. So you have thought about it. Sorry, I didn't realise that. I thought you were just like, just keeping very tight lips on it. I love the fact that you already know what you're going to do. That's confidence and

What does a kind of dream day look like for you too? I know you've already had the best day of your life How are you gonna top that We just need to win it again. Yeah. Yeah, definitely win it again Yeah, I think as Ted said like we love everyone Every single player is great and we're like a family, I think, along with the staff as well. So yeah, I think it will be a really special day and we'll do everything we can to win the game for sure. It will be a great experience as well. Amazing guys. Thank you so much. Best of luck and enjoy it as well. I hope it's the best day of your life.

Yeah, hopefully. much, best of luck and enjoy it as well. I hope it's the best day of your life. Yeah, hopefully. Now I thought that was really interesting that Meya was saying that it was the best day of her life winning the FA Cup. It's something that both of you have done. Can you describe what the experience is like? Amazing, unbelievable. It's so hard to describe and put into words really. It's a dream. It's one of, if not the most iconic cup final, especially now the women's get to play at Wembley as well. And the fact that for Man United in particular, it's their third final in a row. They could win back to back FA Cup finals, which is quite extraordinary really, when we think about all the things that have been spoken about behind the scenes, you know, about funding, about their support

that they've got for them to have created this togetherness and this group, especially this season, what they've done as well, for them to potentially go to retain the FA Cup final. Absolutely incredible. So yeah, I totally agree. It is one of the best days of your life being there and I unfortunately won the FA Cup final when there was no fans there. So that wasn't the most enjoyable, but it was still an amazing occasion obviously to win an FA Cup final. But just yeah, wasn't the fans yet there, but I'm sure it's going to be so special on Sunday. I think it's probably been probably some of my favourite moments in my career actually FA Cup finals and it what I love so much about FA Cup final especially now is how much again it's been such a lovely marker of the growth

of the women's game like I remember really early days playing, I think it was at Doncaster, Rover Bell's pitch and it was up north and winning it with Arsenal and beating Bristol and obviously not many fans, we still had travelling fans but then the way it's played now at Wembley and how special that your club makes it for you, you just feel the occasion. And I love, it was so, so special. I remember my last game ever in a Man City Jersey was winning it at Wembley in 2019. And that for me is one of my best football memories, for sure.

The way the club, you know, they get messages from your family that are played to you, or there's different things in the dressing room that aren't normal, just to amp it up and really make you feel special for that day and obviously regardless of whether you win or lose it obviously you want to win it and that becomes even more special but even the moments where you're part of being part of a final and feeling the occasion is so special so to do it three years on the bounce is incredible it's

theirs to lose and hearing them giggle was absolutely hilarious. I think that's so lovely, just how much it means to them going into this weekend. So yeah, it's a huge moment for the club. But it's pretty cool, right, that week before, you know, when there is nothing in your mind that suggests that there'll be a negative experience, right? You're just excited about the idea of going and playing the FA Cup final because anything's possible at that stage. You're still thinking, Jen, about the idea of what you could potentially do, how you could affect the game, how it's going to be on the day, walking out. You haven't even

got to the point where you think about the idea about, oh, what if we lose? You know, that issue that doesn't come into your mind. No, but I will say that having that experience of losing and having to clap in opposition is the absolute worst. So like, of course your mind doesn't want to go there, but if you have also been in that situation and experienced it, which I have as well, it is the absolute worst.

So I think that's where the nerves start to build, that that's what you don't want to happen, and you start to think about the positive outcomes and also the negative, and you just want to go and win it. The one thing I would say about when I did lose, so I was with Notts County and also Birmingham and it was an amazing occasion for fans because they, a lot of them hadn't been to Wembley, seen their team in a cup final before, so for them to come in their thousands and to walk out on that pitch and to see them all there in the black and white for Nuts County or the blue and white for Birmingham, it was such like a quite overwhelming experience

for them to be there in the crowd as well and I felt like really touched and I felt I just felt like a really special moment for the fans experience as well not only for the players and I totally agree with Jen and when you walk into that change rooms it blows your mind what they do and what they create for you in those changing rooms it's mind-blowing walking in you get quite emotional like the the messages the shirt it's. I don't think you can ever get used to, I can't, walking in and seeing your shirt hanging up with your name on the back. It's just amazing.

I just love it and I don't think I'll ever, or I ever got used to that, having your boots laid out. It's just, it's so special. Ellen, what's the best thing a club's ever done for you for a final? Oh, you got me off the guard then. Have you got one? Yeah, I remember walking into, I think it was Conte Cup final with Arsenal, probably one of the most recent ones.

Basically, I remember filling out beforehand what you thought of certain teammates, you know, what that teammate brought to the team. And obviously when you walk into the changing room, then you've opened a little envelope and there was words there and you don't know who it was from, but it was what you brought to the team. So it was just a really nice way of, you know, having a team together and sharing a really special moment. And I remember reading it and being like, that's really sweet. And then even, I remember Man City in 2019 the final I just just spoke about there walking to the changing room and there was like a

They'd done like print out boards on your like changing room place where you were talking about your shirt being and I think it was a quote. It was a quote from your family. They'd contacted families and it was like, I know Ben I'm seeing your reaction on video now and it was, it was just really special and you're thinking oh my goodness right they've got family involved in this. They're in the crowd and you know you have no idea that kind of the scale that clubs and that go to just to make it memorable for you and give that and I never needed more motivation in those moments, but it was just really lovely to know that you had all the support

from your teammates and family, and that was the extent that the club had gone to. It must just make you ready to go and run through a brick wall. You sort of just be like, right, I'm going to leave absolutely everything out there today. Yeah. So if you see players balling, walking onto the pitch, you'll know what it is. Because they've got that family member contact them. There is a minor obstacle in that Chelsea will be out to spoil the party for Man United. They're looking to make it a domestic treble, and we can hear now from Natalie Bjorn. I think I settled in quite quickly when I first arrived,

and Emma gave me the confidence to play. And then of course, this season is different with a new coach and in the beginning of the season, I didn't play that much. And then when my chance came, I felt like I really took it. And I feel like I've been developing each game. And of course, when you're winning games, it's easy to be a defender. When the strikers are scoring goals, it's easy.

But I'm really happy for this first whole season and I love to play with the girls. I really enjoy being in this team and I think with all the girls around makes it so much easier and you just enjoy it. And speaking of, you've got Millie Bright, Lucy Bronzie, the side of you, you know, established international players, very good at what they do. How is that, how's your relationship with them and have they given you any advice? No, but I think we have a very good relationship. I mean me and Lusie now played together a lot this season and then also obviously Millie and I think it just had been coming natural. I mean every session you learn from each other, you understand each other. Maybe I think in one way, maybe Lusie thinks in another way, but then we always have that open communication and I think that is way maybe losing things in another way but then we always

have that open communication and I think that is what makes us even better that we can speak directly with each other and discuss different scenarios and I think I think we really lift each other up and being encouraging to each other and and then like I said I think it's good that you play with the same people for a longer period of time to get that relationship and try that relationship And I think it's been working really well for us. Are they quite vocal on the pitch? Yes, Millie is very vocal and also you can hear her voice Lucy's vocal But she doesn't have the same strong voice as Millie has

But yeah, I think I think we all three are screaming as much as we can to be honest Yeah, I think we all three are screaming as much as we can, to be honest. Speaking of praising the squad as well, you won Player's Player at the end of the season awards. What is that like to be recognised? It was a really, really nice feeling. I think it's the most beautiful prize you can win, the best prize you can win. When you get voted from players around you, players who see you every day, see you in training, see you outside the pitch and I just feel very very honoured because this squad is filled with so many good football players, quality players and also top people and to get that recognition

it means a lot to me. And this team will now go to Wembley to play in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. This is your first time at Wembley to play in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. This is your first time at Wembley? Yes it is. How exciting is that for you? It's really exciting. I unfortunately missed the chance to play England at Wembley when we played with Sweden, but I've heard from the English inner team and then obviously the people who played the FA Cup final or played at Wembley before said it is an amazing atmosphere and I can't wait. And how do you prepare for such a big game? I guess, you know, being Chelsea, you have it quite a lot.

You had the League Cup final, you've obviously won the WSL, you're used to it, but how do you go into an FA Cup final at Wembley? Yeah, but I would say same as normal. Really don't do anything different. We are there for a reason and we just need to enjoy, relax, and that's when we play the best. do anything different. We are there for a reason and we just need to enjoy, relax and that's when we play the best. You've got the domestic treble that you could win as well. Is

that added motivation I guess? Yeah, 100%. I think we only won the treble once with Emma and I think that's a really, really big achievement and nothing that you just like rub under the carpet. really, really big achievement and nothing that you just like rub under the carpet. You do. That's something that is really big. And I think that with the way that we can play, I think that's something we should achieve. So really special for Natalie Bjorn to win the players player of the year. I always think that's the award that players probably want the most. And it's sort of that recognition from your teammates because they see everything, right? Yeah, it's such a lovely award and to get that recognition from your peers. I think

that's what you want the most. You want your own teammates to think well of you and you want to do everything to make your teammates proud and you want to perform to the highest ability to help your team win. So if all your teammates are thinking the same thing, it's quite overwhelming really to get that award. And yeah, I think she's had an amazing season and I think, you know, you know, she took her chance when Pihana got injured. And I think sometimes that's what happens in football. Some people get injured and obviously that's really unlucky for them but it gives another player an opportunity to thrive and show everyone what they're about and she brought and her and Millie Bright I think they had a

a real great connection I thought they had a good partnership and they worked really well together and she was a huge part of this Chelsea team obviously going unbeaten, winning the the title obviously the League Cup as well so I think you know she's had an amazing season and it's gonna be really interesting next season obviously Germer's now coming as well, Buchanan's obviously gonna come back from an ACL and then obviously Bjorn's had the season of her life, Millie's obviously the captain and obviously the leader as well. So it's going to be a big headache for Sonia next season.

Yeah, I think players, player of the season, I think Ellen would agree with me when I say, you know, obviously they're standout players, right? But how many times I've definitely heard in my career of playing, no, if once you've played with someone, you appreciate them so much more, or you understand those little bits of, whether it's covering ground, or little bits of movement, or bits of communication,

you understand how good someone is when you play with them. And I think that is a credit to Bjorn, and when it becomes player's player, you get the respect of your peers, the respect of players you're playing against and I think that always stands out for me. The amount of times I've been like no, this player is epic, I've played with them I understand it, I've seen it because sometimes you have to convince your friends and other teams just how good someone is and it's like until you've played with someone you

understand just how good they were. So it's not exactly what Erlen said, she's stepped up far beyond I think anyone's expectation going into that role and next season is going to be so interesting as well with players being back fit. So it's credit to her for what she's done this season. From the outside looking in you'd imagine as a fan that there would be a motivation there for Man United to try and stop Chelsea completing that treble. Would that play any part in their mentality? Yes, you want to stop them winning the treble is huge, knock them off their pedestal, but I think their biggest motivation is they want to retain the FA Cup. It's theirs at the moment and they want to win a trophy. I think that's a huge motivation.

You're playing at Wembley in an FA Cup final in front of your friends and family, in front of your fans, in front of a lot of people. There's a lot of exposure with that FA Cup final. So it's an incredible occasion. So I feel like, yes, on one hand, they want to beat Chelsea for them not to get the treble, but I think the overriding factor is they want to win for themselves and for their club

and for what they've achieved together this season. When a lot of people wrote them off, I did, I'm not gonna lie. I didn't think that they would do as well as they did this season. I think they've really, they've done amazing. They've gone under the radar. They haven't moaned. They've not come out and said anything. They've just worked relentlessly hard. And I think you've got to give full credit to those players, but then also the staff as

well for what they've achieved. And if they were to go on and win this, I think they should be incredibly proud of what they've achieved this season. Coverage of the Women's FA Cup Final on BBC One and full commentary on BBC Sounds on Five Sports Extra this weekend. Kirkov is half-won there and that is where we'll leave it on the pod this week. Next on the Football Daily, Kelly Cates brings you a very special episode all about Liverpool and the slot machine. and the slot machine. It's the scandal that rocked Rugby Union to its core. The so-called Bloodgate scandal. Tom Williams now receiving attention.

It seems so clear that this wasn't real blood. It's out and out cheating. This is a story of lies and deception, conspiracies and cover-ups. There was terror that it could tear the house down. Courtroom drama and secret deals. So obviously a lie. And a human cost that changed lives and careers forever.

Dean Richards is found guilty and banned for three years. I'm Ross Kemp and this is Sports Strangers Crimes, Bloodgate. Listen on BBC Sounds.