We Are Chelsea - First Impressions with Veerle Buurman and Lexi Potter

Episode Date: October 23, 2025

This is We Are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Škoda, the official car partner of Chelsea Women and proud supporters of women's sport. www.skoda.co.uk Em Wallbank meets two of Chelsea's youngest players, Lexi and Veerle- but who knew coming on the podcast could be so nerve-wracking! Who did the best initiation performance? What's on Lexi's TikTok For You page? Who's the most famous contact in Veerle's phone? And stay tuned for hilarious advice on YOUR dilemmas in our new segment, Whistleblower. To watch the full episode on YouTube, click here: https://www.youtube.com/@chelseafcwomen/videosSend us your questions and Whistleblower dilemmas to [e-mail] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to We Are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Skoda, the official car partner for Chelsea women and proud supporter of women's sports. I'm M. Walbank and today we are joined by Dutch international Veila Berman, who's with the squad after a season alone, and she's joined by her new bestie, Chelsea Academy graduate Lexi Potter. Two podcast newbies and hopefully plenty of stories to share. This is We Are Chelsea with Veela Berman and Lexi Potter.

Hi. Hi. Nice to meet you, I'm M. I'm really scared. I'm stressing out. She's so nervous. We're literally just tired. She was in a car. Oh, I'm so nervous.

I don't know what to do. But I said it's worse for me because English is my first language, so I actually have no excuse. How's your training been today? Yeah, it was good. Quite intense, but it was good. For me, a little bit of recovery. A little bit of recovery.

Nice one. It's both of your first time on the podcast. Are you excited to be here? Yeah, excited. I'm excited. It's a bit nervous. Obviously, you both quite new to playing first. Chelsea, you've been with the academy for a while, like you said,

but what were your first impressions when you arrived here? It's such a big club. So when I came here, you have like the players, a lot of players, but the staff is also so big. I was like, how do I know all the names? I was like the first four weeks when I was in here. It was like, I'm sorry, I forgot your name. And I was like, oh my God.

It's so bad because everyone knows my name, but I don't know, like, them names. So I was like, oh my God. But no, it's really nice. They help me like in the first weeks and also now if I have some question and everything is new, so no, it's really nice. And it's nice to have Lexi. So, yeah.

I bet it's been quite nice having somebody a similar age to help settle you in and have a similar sort of experience. What were your first impression has been in the club? Well, I feel like I was in the academy and I feel like always the goal and the aspiration is to get into the first team. I went to Pallas Online for two years

and I feel like when I came back, like, yeah, it was a really good opportunity. So come back and I've been enjoying it. Yeah. Has it been nice to come back after being out on London for such a long time? Yeah, it's obviously very different. And we were in different places with Palace and Chelsea. Like it's a big step up in training, the intense team stuff. But yeah, it's good to be back.

That's really exciting to be able to come back and have a go at it. So did you guys, you played against each other at the under 19s nationals without knowing? Yeah. Have you got any pictures of that or is that? Did you just sort of discover it? No, it was like when we talk about it, I think it was at lunch with Brooke. And we all talk about it and I was like, did we play against each other? And then on photos, we like the team photos when you're standing there.

And we were like, oh, we play against each other. But it was a really nice game. Yeah. We drew free, free, free. Oh, so no rivalry walking into this. Nobody hated each other. That's nice. That's quite.

cool though that you've played against each other and now you get to play as part of the same team yeah it was the first time i played against england so it was a really nice thing yeah it was yeah it was you signed last year whilst preparing for the under 20s world cup with the netherlands tell us about that yeah that's a weird story it's a weird story yeah i'm strapped in here we go i like weird stories um the world cup was in september and i have like a conversation with chelsea for the first time they came to the netherlands um like two days before i was a going to Colombia. And two days later I said, okay, I want to do it. But I was in Colombia and I couldn't go to London or to copham to sign here. So I was like, how I'm going to sign and everything. I don't

know. And then they say, yeah, we have to do a medical test. And I'm like, medical test, how? My whole team didn't know I was signing for Chelsea. So I have to do it like secret. So undercover. Yeah, undercover. She's like a spy. Yes. And then I signed. before the game of France, I signed online. Yeah, it was really weird, and I called my parents, I signed my contract, so everything's done. And then we played a game, we won, and we have to fly back to another city.

And then at the airport, I tell my team, I signed for Chelsea. Lexi, you've been at Chelsea since you were eight with the Academy. How exciting was it to sign your first pro contract and to be the first female footballer in the country to do so at your age? Yeah, it was obviously really exciting. And I was really grateful for the opportunity to be able to do that and go out and play first team football at 17. I feel like I was ready to go and get that experience.

But yeah, I was obviously very grateful to the club. You want to fill my hands? They're literally sweating. The nerves are really doing... They're really getting to me. Honestly, they'd have thought we were taking you in for an interrogation with the FBI. You want to see me when I get stressed out or... Oh, you're not good with stress.

She was in the car and she was like, okay, my mom says, I'm not going to say like, like, very much. If you say like, it's like, it's like, it's like. And she was like, I don't have to say that. And I was talking English to her and I was like, like, like, like. I was like, no, now I'm saying like, it was so... It is such an English thing. I catch myself saying it all the time.

I don't even realise I say it. It's bad. How does it feel to be back with the team after two seasons online? Yeah, it's obviously good. I feel like having people a similar age to me makes it a lot easier to come back in after being away for such a long time but it's good it's a really good atmosphere but does it feel like joining a new team because there's been a lot of new signings as well this season haven't there yeah i mean obviously since when i last went out

on loan when i was 17 a lot's changed like the staff changed and stuff so there's obviously a lot of new staff and new players but yeah it's really good and they're really nice and good people i can't imagine being a professional football at 17 i can't i can't imagine doing anything professionally at 17. I don't even think I could spell my own name at 17. Veila, as Lexi helped you settle in, obviously being a veteran of Chelsea. Yeah. No, it was really easy. Also, Wicke, she's Dutch. So that makes it easy, like the first weeks. But also now, we do a lot together at the club, but also, like, outside of the club. It's really easy. Veilat, you're new to London. Have you had much time to explore it, yeah?

No, not yet. I'm going Saturday. My parents are coming on Thursday. So I'm going. I'm going. I'm going Saturday for the second time to London. So everything is new, so it's a really big city. Have you done anything in London yet? No, just walking around. I feel like that's all anybody does it. Just walk. Big Ben and everything.

There's a clock. There's a church. There's another one. No, I did that the first time when I came here. And I also going Saturday. But I'm really excited for like the Christmas time. So I'm going then to London. Is there anything you're looking forward to doing in London?

No, I don't know. No, I really don't know. But at Christmas, I like the markets. Oh, yeah. I'm really excited for that. We're going to do a little get-to-know-you-for-you-both, because obviously you're very new to the team and the fans want to get to know you.

Do you guys have any nicknames? They call me, like, in here, my name is difficult for some English players, but also other players. So they call me V. That's quite cool. Yeah, V. I never heard it.

Like in the Netherlands, I have other names of it. I like it. It's cool. What about you do with Lexi? We've got any nicknames? I have taken on Potter at the moment. Have you? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

What's one word that your friends and family had used to describe you? I think it depends who it's coming from. If maybe you asked my mom, it would be a different answer to my friend. What word is your mum using to describe you, Lexi? I like it. Yeah. I like it. That's not the direction I thought it was going to take after that.

Sweet. Oh. Yeah. I hope she'd say that about me. My mum wouldn't say that about me. So you must be a nice... If I wasn't on her, I think it would be a different word. We'll save that for the after hours.

What about you, Vina? I think, kind, something like that. Yeah, kind. Sweet. Oh, that's nice. Do you have any superstitions? I used to be really bad for it. Like, when I was, like, younger, it was stressful times, like,

I was only allowed to, like, listen to the same three songs before a game. Like, it was, it was quite bad. Oh, what sounds was it? Oh, no, you don't want to know. It was like, Jess Flynn. No, I don't want to know. Don't be so hard on yourself. Like, just embarrassing.

Right, no, give me the playlist. No, no, no, no. Right now, Jess Glyn, don't be so hard. No, no, no, I can't. It was just, yeah. But then I had, like, a headband. but it was quite bad. Like, I used to have to wear the same one

every training, every game. And then we went to round one qualifiers in Estonia and I left it at home, like I got to the airport and I was like to my mom, oh my gosh, like my headband's at home, I can't play without it. So like she had to like fly out to the first game we're playing Ukraine and like we were on the pitch walk

and she like threw it over the stands and I got it into side. Oh my god, yeah, she's a real one. Yeah, she's making moves. But after that like, no, so I feel like I'm a bit more loaky now. Like I like my headband on, but. What's your pre-game ritual now? Are we still listening to Jess Glynn?

No, no, no, no. I just have done since then. Yeah, yeah, I'm a change woman. How do you prepare for a game now? What's your normal go-to? What, like, music? Oh, just like, what's your routine? Give me your pre-game routine.

I like to wake up, shower with my music on, and then do my hair, brush my teeth, you know, eat some food. Not really anything. What are we listening to? What songs have we got on the playlist? I quite like Olivia Dene at the moment. She's not really in pre-game vibes,

but like, you know, it isn't, perfect, but it might be like, I like that one in there occasionally. Nice chill vibes. Rather be Jess Glynn, I can't let her go. Lexi Potter loves Jessica. No, I do. Let it be known. Rather be, then I like a bit of timber, you know.

It's going. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, a bit of Kesha. Yeah, nice. A bit of a house. I like it. Yeah.

What's your pregame ritual look like, Vela? Have you got any weird sort of? No. Only when I'm stepping, like, on the field. It's always with my left first, like, for the line. Always with my left first. I don't know. I did one game and it was going really good. And now you do it every time?

Yeah. Isn't it funny, the little things that you start doing? Yeah. What's your favourite thing to do outside of football? I like to scroll on TikTok and FaceTime my friends. Nice. What's on your TikTok for you page right now? Olivia Dean's new album. Olivia Dean's new album.

Yeah, I'm like talking about the new songs. Yeah, it's not much to it, but that's just what makes me happy. Sometimes you just need to switch your brain off. And you guys are on it all the time because you're having to make decisions on the page and you've got really intense training schedules. I can imagine that that's like the one time that you do get to switch your brain off

and just sort of consume. I do say she virtually every day after training. Can't wait to go home and get into my pen and to go ahead and see. Every time I'm asking what are you doing after training and she's like, yeah, just recording in my TikTok and everything. I'm like, I don't have TikTok. You don't have TikTok?

No? And she's like, I'm scrolling TikTok and calling some friends. And I'm like, okay, it's fine. If you weren't a footballer, what would you do? Like, after, like, my high school, I did the study to be a physiot therapist, physiotherapist, to be a physio. Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, nice. But now it's going too fast to go with England and every step. So I stopped my study. But I think I was, like, a fio therapist. Oh, nice. That's actually really cool What about you like to say? I think I'd like to be a tennis player

Like I just think There's something about the vibe Like it's just like I love that If you wouldn't be a professional athlete What would you be? A professional athlete No, there's just think about

Like being involved in tennis Like I like on the TV Like when when Wooden comes around Yeah I watched challenges last year And I was like yeah Tennis is cool I just think yeah

It looks cool Yeah I'd like to be a tennis girlfriend I think Yeah I'd like a tennis Yeah Like a tennis wag I feel like me sat with a glass of pimms

on the side of the lines Yeah I feel like I could do that really well That's my future I want to be a successful wag What was the last series That you binge watched Prish and break

Prison break Yeah I didn't watch the whole thing But in the beginning With my brothers we watch it like That's a good shout That is a good shout Who's your favourite character Oh I don't know what other names

but like the brother escape the other brother I don't know how to say it I now want you to explain every series to me exactly like that I don't know all the names but you know the brother

of it yeah about you like see what have you been watching I was watching blue lights on BBC IPA oh yeah do you like a bit of crime drama

well not the ones that keep me up at night but yeah like it was a good watch I enjoyed it an interesting one who's the most

famous person in your contacts Lika Martins I think that's actually really cool I think Venus the most famous If you could swap lives with a team mate for a day

Who would it be and why Not you because you're scrolling on TikTok Dale is not about the TikTok Life Let me be there Maybe Micah Yeah

I want to know what's in her head You want to know what's in a head Yeah That's valid you want to see the thought process it to be. Yeah. My God. That's a good one.

For the listener, we've just asked Lexi the most complex algebra question we could possibly think of. Next. This podcast is brought to you by Scudor, the official car partner of Chelsea women and proud supporter of women's sport. It's football season. It's time for after work training,

muddy boots and early morning weekend games. Whether you play five aside after work, cheer the kids on from the sidelines on a Saturday morning or gather with your mates to watch the big leagues every weekend. Skoda is the perfect companion for your everyday adventures. Skip around town in your all-electric eniac or give the squad a lift home in the seven-seater codyac. There's something in the range to suit teams of all shapes and sizes.

Don't just take my word for it there. Search the Skoda range today to jump in and see for yourself. Should we chat some football? We can chat football. You were both on loan last year. How useful do you think that is in preparing you for this season? I think for me it was really important to play some games because I think like playing games and make some minutes

your development is like going really fast so that was really important for me so I think that was like a PSV like the first thing and was my first official season at like a professional club so I think it's good to start at PSV and now and Chelsea yeah so it's getting that game time essentially to know that That's where you're at. What about you, like, say?

I think, like, having got promoted with Palace in my first season on loan, like, it made sense for me to go back and then have the opportunity to play in the WSEL because it's obviously a league with, like, really high standards and stuff. So to be able to play and get as many minutes as I can and get that experience. Yeah, it obviously really benefited. And what a thing to come back to the team with as well, like, you've been promoted on loan, and then to come back here, that must give you a nice boost of confidence. Yeah, I mean, it was obviously really.

good going alone and getting to win the championship. It was a good season. It was fun. I mean, obviously last season was slightly more challenging and it threw different challenges at me. But I feel like it'll help me to grow as a person and a player. Nice. Vila, what differences have you noticed between Chelsea and PSV? I think it's a bigger club, like more fastilities. They help you with your development. A lot of stuff that can help you on the field with training. with individual training. So I think my development is going,

is going really fast. Also here, because you have a lot more trainers to talk to. So that's really nice. Yeah, and you've recently made your debut against Leicester. How did it feel to get your first minutes? I was really happy to make my first minutes, yeah. To make my first minutes for Chelsea, I think that's something to be really proud of.

I think I can improve a lot I think I can learn a lot from these games so I'm happy with my first minutes so yeah what was the reception like from the rest of the team they were really happy and I think yeah it was a moment for me like your first minutes

you never forgot your first minutes for Chelsea so I think it was a really nice game we won the game and I think we have a lot of things we can improve in that game but it was really nice you've obviously all got a really good bond as a team and I had Mara and Liv on the podcast recently and they were telling us about your initiation. You were doing Mamma Mary and you danced as well. Who do you think was the best singer

out of the three of you? I can sing so I'll maybe say Livia and Mara but maybe Livia and then sing Mara she can't really live. Did you enjoy the initiations? I was fine with it. First, I was like, oh my God, how are we going to do this? But then I was with Livia and Mara and we practiced a little and it was okay because also a lot of people has to do it like 10 people or something. So it was really nice to do. It was okay. And I think we did a great job.

Who was your favorite initiation that you saw? I think the one with Net and Yo-Yo dancing. I don't know what the name was of. Steph. Yeah. She sung and I don't know. know the song but uh net and yojo came in and wika also came in and did a little bit of dancing so it was really nice that like your initiation's quite quite famous you wrapped and won

do you have any do you have any tips for surviving initiation um i think a real confidence booster is katie cox like she does not care so like i really feel like that made me like come out of my shell a bit more and i just thought i can't boil it now like I'm here, like, I'm going to embarrass myself even more if I stand there and do nothing, so just get into it. Just enjoy the moment, I guess. Who's been your favourite initiation that you've seen? Oh, I quite liked Micah's last year.

Michael, Lucy, and Vika. I feel like it was them three together. Yeah, it was good. What did they do it? Lion King. It was the Lion King. Yeah, yeah, I'm sure of it. And like, yeah, I'm not going to do it.

I'm not going to give a reenactment. I want a full reenactment. I'm debating making people initially. themselves on the podcast. I feel like I should also have to do one because I'm new to the podcast, but... I can't, I can't turn the cameras off, Michael's like, uh, woo!

But like every five seconds. We're going to play a little game now. This is a game, so basically, this is whistleblower, and we're going to give you the chance to be the referee in people's lives. We've had the fans write in with some scenarios. And we need you to give them some advice. Okay.

Whatever comes to mind. There's no pressure. There's no right or wrong. You can judge people. Are you ready for your first scenario? My housemate borrowed my favourite jumper and shrunk it in the wash. I told her it was fine, but now I accidentally keep shrinking some of her stuff too. Am I evil?

Yeah, you are. No, it was no. You have been called out by Vailet. No, you are evil. I think that's genius Maybe I'm evil It's giving petty But

It's very much giving pay I feel like it depends what level You're on Like maybe if that was like My brother or someone Then I'd do it back But I don't think I'd be able To like fully action at

To someone else Are you a petty person? I'd like to sound kind of Quite mature really Have you ever done anything petty Oh there's thought going on here I don't think so Like maybe in my household

But that's different Like I don't think I do think That was spite to other individuals the pettish thing you've ever done? I can tell you the pettish thing I've ever done. My ex-boyfriend was watching The Mandalorian on my Disney Plus account and I didn't know. But then I kept logging on and going, somebody's watching this and I figured out it was him.

So I waited for the last episode to come out and I changed the password than I before. That's a good one. That's good. And this is probably how he finds out. Sorry. We love a petty queen. I love a petty queen. I am a bit petty though. But I feel like if it's valid and like you've been hurt and stuff like with the ex-boyfriend exactly. But I feel like if it's like a housemaic. Yeah. There you go.

Veiler thinks you're evil. Lexi thinks it depends on how well you know each other. Are you ready for your second scenario? I told my colleagues I'm running a half marathon next week and now they want to come and support me and they've asked me to share my location on the day. I don't know what to say. What if they ask to see my medal? Do I need to come clean? Oh my goodness. Are they not running the marathon? Hold on. So from what I can gather,

we're lying about running a marathon. That's a red card. That is a red card right there. And they're, oh, that's devious. Why are we lying about running marathons? It's 2025. Who's doing that? Maybe just say you've pulled up,

touched wood with like an injure or something, and you can't participate anymore. Oh, that's a smart one. That is a smart one. Because it's not even like you can just like go into it and just like give it your best shot because you've not been into it. No, no. Absolutely not.

That's devious. I think I'd have to come clean. Or just something's come up. I can't make it anymore. Family emergency. So third scenario. My boss has asked me to work this weekend, but I've already had tickets to a football game. I told him I couldn't because of a family commitment.

He is going to the football with his mom. But he supports the same. same team. What if I see him there or he spots me on TV? What do I do? Put up sunglasses and I get. Yeah. Disguise. Dark clothing. Try and like fit in. I like it. Yeah. Committing to the bit. Let's put a wig in there. Yeah. And also I feel like just be nonchalant. I feel like if you're trying to be like doing too much, then you're going to get yourself seen. It's going to be the call play concert all over again if you try too hard. You're going to get caught on national TV. Is there any teammates you're particularly excited to play

alongside this season. I'm excited, like to play with Millie, Meth, like in the back and also, nay, like, the back line because the quality is, like, really high. Like, it's, like, the girls are really good, so I can learn a lot from them, so I'm really excited to play

with them. It must be really fun for, like, people your edge as well, because you'll be playing with people that you've looked up to. Yeah. And to be able to play alongside some of like your sporting icons, that must be really, really cool for you. What about you, Lexi? I think Kira Walsh I just think the way she plays football

and like how calm and composed she is on the pitch I don't know I feel like I played with her a few times in preseason and it was good that's really exciting is there any trips challenges or off pitch plans that you're looking forward to like the Champions League

I think that's do you mean that no she's an off piece I mean if you're looking forward to the Champions League we can be looking forward to the Champions League no it's fine is there anything you're excited to do

just in London life in general For me, it's like exploring more like London and all the other, like, village and things. I just want to know England a little bit better. I know the Netherlands now, so another. Well, we've discussed about maybe me going to the Netherlands, taking a trip there. No, no, nothing's confirmed. That's so excited in there. I just feel like it would be quite fun to, like, go and explore and stuff.

That must be really fun being able to do that with different members of the team. Yeah. Because it's quite a diverse team, isn't there? You come from all over, so it must be really nice to be able to share bits from home together. Yeah, that's really exciting. Coming to the club, having someone your age, what were your first impressions of each other? I think at the first time we didn't like do a lot,

but I think at the trainings camp, at the evening of the initiation, we did like sit with each other when we make our own pizzas and we sit with each other and that's what, maybe the moment. We talk about, I know, we talk about like the uniforms

that you wear for school. I didn't know that you like school uniforms in England. Did you know? No, I didn't know. They wear it. So I was like, what? Yeah. I wear my own clothes to school. This is how I'm finding out that other places don't have school. Oh, but did you not know? I knew like a few places, but I didn't know it was weird that we had them. No, like, when she saw my face, she was like, yeah. I thought she was joking. Oh, no. We used to have our skates measured and everything. If it was a fingertip above the, above the knee, detention. It's just not fun, is it? What was, we used to get that one. We used to get that one.

and we used to get a teacher walking around the packet of makeup wipes. Oh, really? Yeah, and if you've got too much makeup off, you had to go to the bathroom. Oof, yeah. Hefty. The hefty indeed, that is exactly the word. I'd use, looking ahead to the rest of the season, if you can set yourself one goal for this year, what would it be?

I think I have some, like, goals, like, in training and, like, in the games, what I can do better, so maybe see my development, like, for this year. keep staying patient and just when your opportunity comes make sure I'm ready for it so good thing well thank you guys so much for coming and sitting down with me I hope I've not scared you too much I really appreciate you both coming and having a chat with me thanks so much and enjoy the rest of your season

hopefully we'll have you back thank you for listening to we are Chelsea the official podcast of Chelsea women brought to you in association with Skoda the official care partner for Chelsea women and proud supporters of women's sport remember if you want to get involved with the podcast this season send us your or blow a stories to our email we are chelsea at chelseafc.com also make sure to comment on our youtube video as well