That Lionesses Podcast - Michelle & Khiara: Cheat Meals, Celeb Crush & Hidden Skills | That Lionesses Podcast Connected by EE

Episode Date: June 25, 2025

Harriet’s joined by two of England’s freshest faces heading to their first major tournament - Michelle Agyemang and Khiara Keating! They chat all things training camp, what they’re most excited for in Switzerland, and how it feels to get that first big call-up. Harriet also finds out what they’re like off the pitch - from celebrity crushes and favourite cheat meals to the secret talents they’ve been hiding! Follow @lionesses on Instagram, WhatsApp and X, plus @england on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube so you don’t miss a thing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It goes from like extreme compliment to like fighting against each other like every five seconds and I'm here for it. She's gonna have a great summer out here. How's your singing ability? Great. No. I promise you. Everyone always thinks they're good at singing until someone else hears them. Oh that is a read.

Do you have a hidden talent? I think mine's good at Lego. Hey hey hey don't laugh at that. It's actually a skill to be good at Lego. Well done, I'm impressed by that. What are you guys most excited about experiencing for the first time at a major tournament? Winning. Yeah.

That's the energy we're looking for. Hello and welcome to That Lionesses podcast connected by EE. I'm Harriet Rose and today we're shining a spotlight on the next generation of Lionesses. the rising stars making serious waves in the squad and dreaming big for their future in the game. Joining me are two of the most exciting young talents in English football right now, the phenomenal Michelle Adjiman and the brilliant Kiara Keating.

Whoo! Guys, welcome. It's such a pleasure to have both of you. It is an incredibly exciting time for you both. Your first senior England call-ups for a tournament. How are you both feeling? I'm excited, I'm buzzing. Obviously, it's the first tournament for both of us, but yeah, it's surreal, I think.

Michelle, talk us through the moment Serena called you, because I really want to, like, feel that moment. Ooh, is there a story here? No, no, no, no. To be fair, I think I actually just got back from the airport. It was a FaceTime. I didn't know it was a FaceTime. Oh, man.

Does that stress you out? Yeah, because I just picked it up like it was a normal call. Yes. I feel like you know a FaceTime means business, like when someone wants a FaceTime. Yeah, yeah. So I just picked it up and then I was just looking at the phone, I could see my face in the corner. I was like, oh.

So I had to actually like a proper look. And she was like, oh yeah, how are you? Like just stuff like that. And she was still talking just about how I was doing, like for five minutes and I was just nervous, like waiting to see what she'd say. But then in the end it was all good news and yeah, just really happy I guess.

It must've felt amazing. Yeah, yeah. Also, like, slightly gut wrenching that you could see your face, but she's just chatting about the day and you're like, please just say it. Please just say it either way. She was just smiling in the screen and I was just like, please, I really don't know. Yeah, wrap it up, wrap it up. Kiara, what about you?

Where were you when Serena called? I also didn't know it was her FaceTime and I was literally tanning outside. Really? You were just sunbathing. Yeah, in bikini top and all. Oh, I am dead. And then she answered, I was like, oh, she's like, I can't see your face, I can only see palm trees outside.

That's it. And then I'm like this, I was like, I'm so sorry, I'm literally in the bikini. That is so funny. So you heard the news about going to the Euros in a bikini. Yeah. Kind of the energy we want, no? It's a bit of like, I could have a bit of decorum or something. No.

A little overall sunken. It's very bougie energy, I'm into it. Who was the first person that you both told? Mine was my dad. Yeah, mine was my mom. Because your families are both big football families, aren't they? Yeah.

Everywhere. They go everywhere, don't they? They're little travelers. Together. It's really cute actually though. Dead cute. And they're mates with each other. Yeah it's really cute. That's so nice. Did you just blurt it out straight away or did you give it a little bit of like, oh I've heard the call. Oh no I was like, mom I'm going. To be fair I went down the stairs because I was in my room before and I just looked at my dad, I was like, I'm in. And he starts running around the house.

It was so sweet. It was so cute. Oh my God. That melts my heart. This is your first time training for a tournament with the senior team. How's it been going? How does it differ from training with your clubs? Oh, I'm blowing.

I am exhausted. Really? Oh, I've never seen anything like it in my life. Which is a good thing, isn't it? Yeah, it's like getting your body. Preparing for the Euros, we're going to, everyone's mentally ready. First day, I was like, it's Misha, I can't,

my legs are in bits, but it's fine now. We're adapted. You're on it now, like you're a machine now. We're prepared. I like it. Ask some of the newest players on the squad. I thought it'd be fun to do a little quick fire round of questions. How do you feel about that? Yeah, let's do it. You ready? Where did you grow up and if I visited where are you taking me

first? Well in terms of growing up like I was I lived in a place called South Hockenden so it's in Essex. Yep. The best place to go is probably Lakeside Shopping Center. Oh yeah, I've been there before. So you're going to take me to Lakeside Shopping Center. It's not a lot going on, but there's a wing stop, it's decent. Hey, what more could a girl want? All right, what about you, Kiara? Where would you take me? I live 10 minutes away from town in Manchester. Well, I grew up 10 minutes away from town. Okay. Well, what type of vibe minutes away from town. Okay.

Well, what type of vibe like? Babe. Anything. You've got to be the leader of this. You've got to guess my vibe and take me there. We'll go Fright Island. Oh, what's that? We'll be in there.

No. Explain it to me. It's just the outdoor place. It's got loads of... Fright Island. I don't know. Is it scary? No.

It's a dead chill outside area. Oh. There's like restaurants and that inside, not restaurants, like little cabins inside. Oh. We went to watch the Euros there when the men's was playing. Sick. Sounds perfect. I would have preferred if it was actually like a horror place.

Oh no, no. I would have loved that. Because the name's a bit deceiving. Yeah, it is. I was really expecting you to take me to a theme park. No, no, no a live action horror experience. But listen, outside drinks is great too. Do you have a hidden talent outside football? Yes.

Oh, tell us. I play the guitar, the piano, the bass and the drums. Everyone give us a round of applause please. You're a whole band. A one woman band. I don't sing, no. We just go and dance. Oh you don't sing?

So we need to enlist someone. I'll do the singing. Okay perfect. How's your singing ability? Great. No. I promise you. Oh.

I'm getting contradicting views but perhaps we could do a little. But like everyone always thinks they're good at singing until someone else hears them. Right. Unless you're like. oh that is a read. I can't really beat that Mish. I think mine's good at Lego.

Hey, hey, hey, don't laugh at that. It's actually a skill to be good at Lego, well done. I'm impressed by that. It's just sometimes I might misplace some of the pieces and it really stresses me out. Yeah, you need to have all your, well, you need all the pieces. You do need all the pieces to put the puzzle together. So together you could

become a roaming band that does Lego performance. Just like doing Lego with jazz in the background. Yeah. No I'll stick to the... I'll be the lead singer. Okay oh sorry yeah you're the lead singer. Yeah. I'm really excited to see these abilities hopefully you're gonna bring a guitar with you to Switzerland. I've thought about it. Please do because I'm coming and I want to hear you. That would actually be really sick. We'll just get you a little live performance outside the venues every day. Oh that's a lot. Oh sorry, I'm probably putting you... No you're right, you're right, maybe we'll leave it. But listen, bring the guitar just in case we need a little... Okay. You know? Post-celebration win, when we win it. What would be your band called if you did collab? Okay. Oh, that's just so boring. Isn't it? All right, we'll think of something better than okay. Okay Chiara, actually mine

Instead of Chiara Keaton. Oh Okay, I like that you just made it your name with her surname. Perfect. Perfect If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Are we talking like football or Kiara speaking or? Okay, no, not football or Kiara. Because football or Kiara is going to be like chicken and veg. So I want to know. Chinese.

Which, what's the salt and pepper chips and sweet and sour chicken, no veg. Oh, no veg. No, because. No veg, I don't even think it is veg. I'm going to do a petition because half of the thing's filled up with veg and you get like the smallest little bit of chicken.

Like pineapples, no, just give me the chicken. You heard her. More chicken in the... More chicken in sweet and sour chicken. Sweet and sour chicken needs more chicken. First, I was actually going to go for Chinese, but some sort of fried rice. Mm-hmm.

I don't know, maybe duck. I love duck. Oh, duck. I love duck. Duck pancakes, me shit on to swim. Okay I'll be in on this because you guys sound like you're making a very good Chinese order. Who is your most listened to artist or band or person performer like musician? Sure I have two like Fred Hamer and C.C. Wynans. They're a bit like older, older than me. Yeah. She's an old soul. Even like 80s, 90s.

Yeah. You like the 80s, 90s vibes? Yeah. I like it. You are. She is an old soul. Are you? Are you like... I mean, I was kind of brought up on like, especially like gospel, like... I was going to say it might be, it seems like a family influence.

Yeah. Because I definitely had that like, mine was like Tina Turner and like that kind of vibe. So I feel you on that. Like Bob Dylan. Yeah. What about you, Kiara? I have two in there. I like Drake.

I like Patti Next Door. Oh yeah. I like Vibe's Cartel. Are we getting any of that in the dressing room? Come on. Yeah we are. That is is gonna amp up the vibes. Cause you're the newbies as well. So you've got to bring it when it comes to the music

selection in the dressing room. Leah's already here. Yeah, she's got it. Okay. We like to hear it. Who's your celebrity crush growing up? Oh my. I'll go first.

Yeah, go on. Yeah. I think my ideal like, would be a mix between Michael B. Jordan and Auntie Joshua put together. Oh. Oh my. Have you seen the Michael B. Jordan film that just came out Sinners? Yeah.

Two of them. Two. No, I was in the movie and I loved it. I'm gay and I still was like that. What about you, Michelle? I'm trying to think. Did you have one? Not really, but like I guess in terms of like football,

like you know who's really good looking? Ruben Loftus Cheek. Tell me about him. Ruben Loftus Cheek is a hottie. You've never seen him? No. Oh, that's sad. I know. That's sad. I'm. Oh, that's sad.

That's a lot of ash. I'm only looking at the girls, babe. If your teammates had to roast you, what's the first thing they'd come for? Oh. Yell out. That's what they'll say. You seem extremely shy to me, so I don't know why. I'm so shy.

I think they just call me boring, to be fair. No, Miesha's not boring. I want to like, the dynamic. I want to fight someone for you saying that. You're not boring. Not boring but like, I'm the least like, out there one. I guess. Which is a personal choice. Yeah. But. Oh it's a nice thing, I think that's a positive. No one's coming for you for that. Otherwise me and Kiara are going to go for them. Yeah, we will. Thanks for sharing all those nuggets. It was beautiful. Are you ready to chat about football now and what's led you to being here?

You're about to embark on your first international tournament. Kiara, when did you first discover that you loved football? And what inspired you to become a goalkeeper? It was actually quite a funny story because I was actually never a goalkeeper. Well, I was, but I wasn't. I went to a United trial once and I seen how many people was there and I was like, I'm not doing it, mom, I'm going home. And she was like, oh, you got some gloves in the car.

And then I got in as a keeper. So I used to play half outfield, half in net. So what was it that made you change your mind? It was just because there were so many people and you felt like it was a niche to go into goalkeeping. Yeah. Hey. And I was always, I would like, I've always been that crazy kid that just goes in goal

and does like all this stupid stuff when they're playing out. So I kind of fit the characteristics. And then City made me decide when I was 11, when I moved to City, if I wanted to be an outfielder or a striker, outfielder or goalkeeper. And I thought of all that running, I thought absolutely not. Good girl, I like it. As we discussed, you both come from football loving families who all support different teams. How does that work in a family?

Well, I'm a civil, like they'll support me if it comes down to it, but when it's like, for example, watching the Prem, my sister's a West Ham fan, my brother's a Chelsea fan, my dad's a United fan, my mom's just there. She said, whoever's winning. Hey, my kind of girl. But hold on, how did they choose their teams? I guess in a way, it's kind of a good thing. It shows they've all got their own minds because a lot of families just, I mean, I just supported

whoever my brother said to support. Yeah. I think to be fair, like my dad, like being around, I guess United at the time, like were just amazing. And then I guess my brother, when was he born? 2003. So I guess Chelsea were also that at the time. And then I guess Arsenal because of women's football, like just seeing Arsenal as the main figurehead at that time was my, I don't know about West Ham

for my sister. I don't know how she got there. She's just being niche and we love it. Yeah, I rate it. To be fair, it's because we would go to that West Ham games because it was quite close. Oh, sick. Yeah. So I think that was her. I feel like it's giving eclectic and I love it. Kiara, yours is the same, right, but not...

Oh, ours is 50-50. Yeah, which is that more or less dramatic in terms of the rivalry? More. Like, we're just too opinionated, like we can never come to a mutual agreement, so on Diaboday we sit here and use it over there. Seriously.

And then if they lose, we rub it in. United fans must be struggling in your heart. Struggling. I can't imagine it to be honest, but it's giving, it's like definitely giving a little spice to the living room banter of an evening, which we like. Michelle, who was your footballing hero when you were growing up? I think my main one was Rachel Yankee, especially climbing up through the academy. And then Dan Carter, I think, were the two ones for me,

both at Arsenal in England. Have you met either of them? Yeah, I've met Dan properly because she was playing for London City. I played against her, and then also she trained at Arsenal for a bit whilst I was there, so that was nice. Rachel, not really, but I've seen her and we've said hi,

but not properly. That's cool though, right? Yeah, it's crazy. It must be cool to just be walking around amongst your heroes, you know, when you start training, and now you're in the big dog leagues. Kiara, when did you get the idea that playing professionally would kind of turn from a dream to reality?

Do you have like a specific memory of when it started to really shift for you? I think it was the first time I got asked dream to reality, do you have like a specific memory of when it started to really shift for you? I think it was the first time I got asked to train up with the first team. When I was 15 and I walked in and everyone was just staring at me like, he was this little 15 year old girl. But then now, then my sister's- Look at you now.

Look at you now. Look at me now. What are you thinking of me? What's really cool about that is that like, you know, not everyone, I definitely can relate. At school, I was not interested in definitely the academic, can't even say it, academic side of things. And it was nice, I did more like drama and performance and that kind of stuff. But when you find your thing at school, and you can pursue that alongside everything else,

it just really makes things a lot better, right? Yeah. She's the brain box. Oh, you are. You're really smart. Are you? Really, really smart. Tell me about it.

We're like polar opposites. Like when I told you, polar opposites. Smart. Street smart. Well, thank you. Yeah, but you're saying... Well, you're saying I'm not street smart. No, I'm way more street smart than you, Mish.

Oh, why do you say that? I have to give myself credit for something. Have it then, that's fine. I also think that street smart and smart are the same thing. You're both smart. In different ways, yeah. Yeah, we're both here. Gotta give her something.

I like it. It goes from like extreme compliment to like fighting against each other like every five seconds and I'm here for it. She's gonna have a great summer out here. I don't even think I actually knew you until like this year properly. Yeah. And it's just we're just like that from the beginning.

And that's so nice when you meet someone that you can feel immediately comfortable with, right? Yeah. It must be a benefit as well that you're both going to Switzerland. You're going to be doing this experience together. It's gonna be long however many weeks with this one. I... She's going to have a great time. She actually secretly loves it, like she loves it.

I think not even secretly, I think openly she does. Sometimes, sometimes. Michelle, you made your way through the England youth teams. When you first played with the seniors, was there someone you looked up to? I mean, you've mentioned some of the players, but is there someone you looked up to and couldn't believe you were training with? I mean, you've mentioned some of the players, but is there someone you looked up to and couldn't believe you were training with?

I guess at the time, even though I'd already seen her at club and stuff, just training with Les is amazing. She's so skillful and has everything a striker wants. So it's so nice to see that and to learn and bounce off her, I think, on the pitch. Have you taken any sort of skills? Have you, by osmosis, kind of learned anything? I don't know, I think her movement is insane, like just her positioning, both in the box

and just on the pitch everywhere. So I try my best to replicate, but yeah, obviously we're different types of strikers, but it's nice to see that and feed off what she does. Yeah, I mean, you're doing great, sweetie. You're doing great. Thank you. Kiara, what's been your biggest pinch me moment since becoming a Lioness with the seniors? and feed off what she does. Yeah, I mean, you're doing great, sweetie. Thank you. You're doing great. Kiara, what's been your biggest pinch me moment

since becoming a Lioness with the seniors? Yeah, I think just being at my first ever camp, I was like, whoa, like this is actually happening. Yeah. Like, it's actually go time, Kiara, like come on now. But yeah, I think like when you sit back, like we're training with the best of the best, like playing games with the best of the best.

So yeah, it's just dead surreal. Pretty cool, eh? Yeah. Now Michelle, we cannot not discuss the incredible... Touch and bang. ...first goal a few months ago. It took you less than a minute on your England debut to get it through the goalposts.

Can you still believe that that actually happened? No, I think sometimes, I was literally watching it today. Oh good. Do you do that for inspiration? Yeah, sometimes. So sometimes I'm just like, how did I do that? Probably if you asked me to go out and do it again now, it just wouldn't happen. So it's just crazy to look back on it and believe that it happened, but I'm so grateful that it did. Well, I can't wait to see what's to come. Kiara, we heard that before Michelle came on, you were saying she was going to score.

Fraser is my witness. I swear. I was like, Nisha's going to come on and she's going to score. Like, and everyone was like, come on. No, no, not like... You're so sweet. No, but shouldn't, no, no, not like. You're so sweet. No, but like they thought like I was just like, yeah, she's just doing it because you and me should close.

Like, no, I went Fraser. And then when I scored Fraser, literally had to like, Chiara, like I was off over the start. Like I was, I was off. Do you ever feel that intuition energy on other stuff? Yep, all the time. Really? I think I've got great intuition. That's one thing I bring to the table. What can you tell me about me having met me for 10 minutes?

You revive, you love life, and yeah, you just live in the moment. You're absolutely right. I love that Chiara keeps insta-getting applause. Thank you, this is what I'm seeing. No, I'm really happy with that. I'm putting that on my CV, babe. The work Serena's done with the Lionesses is obviously incredible. What's it like being coached by her? I think she's so sweet.

She's like a bomb, it's really cute. She has all of our best interests at heart. And even though I've not known her for so long, she's been so welcoming, I think, for me personally. That's so amazing. She's got the perfect, I think, for me personally. That's so amazing. She's got the perfect balance of serious and then cute and then serious.

Not cute, cute's the wrong word. Nice. Like serious and kind. Yeah, yeah. When she needs to tell you something, she'll tell you something. I love that. But then when she is chilling

and you can just go joke with her. The other day I was joking with her about a dance muse. I was going to get onto it. And then she was like, get back on the pitch. Yeah. But that's how it's got to be. And it's nice to have that dynamic of both of those things so that you know you're going to work, but you're also going to have a nice time while you do it. Yeah, for sure.

What are you guys most excited about experiencing for the first time at a major tournament? Winning. That's the energy we're looking for! But yeah, I think lifting the trophy, I think that would be a moment where we'd both be like, what on earth is going on here? Michelle, have any of your teammates you've played with given you any advice that stuck out in particular for this one? I think just enjoying it. A lot of people have said that to me because I think it's like not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but kind of in a way like going into a major

tournament and just being around the team and the way the women's game has gone, it's so massive now. So to be a part of that, it's invaluable. So taking that and having fun. Yeah. I mean, it's the only time that it's going to be your first time. Yeah, true. So it is that once in a lifetime moment, really. Yeah, yeah. When you think about both of you representing England, what feeling comes to mind?

I'd say pride, I think, to put that badge on and to know that you're representing your country and in this example, at a major tournament. I love that. Yeah. Happiness, I think, like, it's everyone's dream to play for England, like, play football in general. So, I think, like, we're just happy to be here and obviously just soak up everything.

I love to hear that, guys. I love to hear it so much. And now, before we finish, it's time to play the Euros Alphabet Challenge. I've got a stopwatch. You're going to have a minute between you to list things associated with this year's Euros, starting from A. So it's going to go A, B, C, D, like that, back and forth. And you have to say, for example like, Alessia for A or Ball for B, Coach for C, anything related to the Euros. Can I help her?

No. Because it seems like she's going to need some help. No. I saw your face. Yara, how does that make you feel? That Michelle doesn't believe you. It makes me feel rubbish, honestly. I don't believe you.

And then we fast forward to how the game goes and we'll see you. Yeah, we're like, this is why I should know. And I'll help you with the alphabet, but I'll let you know now, I barely know my alphabet, so it's a real rocky road out here. Guys, stop cheating. I'm here right now. Listen, because she wouldn't have got what I just told her.

Okay, so you've given her all the answers. No, it was just one. Okay, okay, okay, you ready? Three, two, one, No, just one. Perfect. Just one, just one. Okay, okay, okay. You ready? Three, two, one. You have a minute. Go. Alessia.

Ball. Chloe. Dugout. E. Oh my goodness. Oh my God, what team are you playing for? England. Sorry.

F. Football. Georgia. Hannah Hampton. Aye. Oh, this is not very good. And she was worried about me. Yeah, because you're getting the good ones. Aye.

Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye. What's the team playing in the Euros? I guess Iceland. What's over there? A, B, C, D, E, H, I, J. Yeah, I thought so. Yeah, I thought so. I'm obsessed.

This is just, we've failed at this one. Oh, wait, wait. Can you just pause that for one sec while we have a little sequence? No, and it's five, four, three, two, one. Oh my god. That is J. That is J, three, two, one. That is Jay. That is Jay, everybody.

That was the worst day we've ever done in. That's definitely the worst out of everyone, right? Because you took about 20 seconds thinking of one. Because you got all the good ones. Okay, guys, guys, I don't want to cause a rift between you. You were both as bad as each other. Okay? To be fair, when we walk out, we're going to get all of it.

Yeah, we have to be like... And also, what's funny is the next time I see you when we're in Switzerland, you'll come at me and you go, A, B, you're just going to do it, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. We'll get practicing for the next episode. You know what? For I, all I was thinking was igloo. And I just couldn't say igloo. Do you know what? When you're not in it, it's so easy. And it's only because you're in it your brain just goes, no... Did you have one for J?

I still don't. I kept thinking Jungle. Yeah what can you say for J though? Jungle the band is not useful for this. I guess player what's that one from um the girl from anyone got one for J? Yolm's Dot Ear from oh my god Jess! Oh Jess we're sorry. Jess we're sorry. Jess my babe because she's from where I'm from. You're still my sister. No, Jess, we're sorry. Michelle, Kiara, thank you so much for joining me. Thank you very much. I have loved getting to know you both better,

and I'm sure the fans have too, and we're going to see much more of you very, very soon. Thanks for joining me on that Lionesses podcast connected by EE. All the best with the tournament. Soak up the vibes, enjoy the energy. We have got more exclusive chats with the players so keep locked by subscribing and clicking follow and we will see you next time. Bye!