#he did get transferred to Arsenal in game

[avaf00rd]

Behind the scenes

Leah Williamson x matildas!reader

Tiny little blurb I wrote last minute as I rewatched the show

“Hello you” you grinned as you opened the front door, a smiley Leah behind it with her large suitcase and England hoodie on. The Disney plus camera crew behind you. Pretending as if Leah had just gotten home from England camp and you hadn’t seen her yet. Well she had, about an hour ago though.

You grabbed the suitcase from her hand, and pulled her in from her other free wrist, placing a short kiss on her lips and hugging her tight. “How was it?” You asked excitedly whilst you both made your way to your living room.

“Yeah really good, great to see everyone” your girlfriend explained to you leaning against the large book case near your couch. “Plane was quicker than I thought though, only like an hour and a half”

The camera still following both of you “oh yeah wow that’s not bad at all”

“Suppose I had it a bit better than you travel wise” she chuckled, folding her arms now. Nothing to your 20 hours of travel to and from Australia for your own international camp.

“Certainly” you laughed back with Leah.

“Ladies that was actually really great for a first take so we probably won’t need to do that again. We’ll now just get you both on the couch so we can talk to you both” one of the members of the camera said, holding a clip board and directing his crew to your living room

Leah sat down on the shared couch with you following suit behind. Plopping down next to your girlfriend as she put an arm around you, legs intertwined at the end of the couch.

“You guys wanna stay like this for the clips?-“

“Yes” you nodded fast, as people in the room laughed at your certainty.

“Leah can you tell me a bit about y/n. Like how she is as a person but also a teammate?” The same man asked from behind the camera. They would get her answers and these shots for the docu-series.

It be out on Disney plus just months before the World Cup begins, to help Australia get more of an insight into their team and the players

Leah looked down at you, as you shot her a smile before she started “y/n is such a hard worker. I’ve never met anyone like her. Very funny person to have a laugh with…or laugh at” she nodded

You rolled your eyes “saw that coming”

Leah did one of her wide smiles where her cheeks would go so high and her nose would scrunch up which made you melt completely, “so leading onto that she’s a bit clumsy”

“Not all the time” you mumbled

“Everyone at Arsenal calls her the princess though. Because she’s just the sweetheart of the team, who cares about her team so so much and we get to see that every day here in London” you smiled to yourself as you looked down at the couch while Leah spoke about you to the cameras

“Do you just completely hate this?” Leah laughed

“No keep going” you nodded, making her laugh. Leah often got the sense you got all flustered and embarrassed when she spoke about you so well, to other people when you are in the room.

“Y/n what’s it like getting to train each day and play games with your partner?” The producer asked me

“Yeah I’m extremely blessed, I would say, to be able to basically spend every hour of the day with her. And to put on the Arsenal badge and play for our fans with my favourite person is a bit of a win each weekend for me”

“We’re assuming you two meet through Arsenal?” He asked

“Yeah we met at Arsenal when I transferred back in 2019. And then I went on loan to Barca for a season, but then…yeah I came back-“

“And then y/n asked me out!” Leah cut you off with a grin

“Um okay it was kind of you” you looked up at her with a shake of your head.

“Kinda both of us in a way?” Leah shrugged to camera. Which you just shook your head, to said camera.

“They aren’t gonna understand that” you pointed with both arms to the camera, you and Leah now giggling. You both said a few more things they had asked you before the filming stopped.

“Thanks girls! We will see you tomorrow afternoon for more shots, have a great night, hope we didn’t take up too much of your time” a different lady had said now, as she helped her crew pack up some small equipment.

“Not at all!”

————————————————————————

Being one of the few people in your Matilda’s squad who had been apart of the team for over 11 years, you had been in quite a few scenes in the docu-series. Alongside Steph Catley, Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, and more. You got the opportunity to talk about your family’s background in the sport and growing up with the Matilda’s, as well as preparations to win the World Cup.

This morning you had done some scenes at the training centre for your club, along with Cait and Steph as you all talked about playing for Arsenal.

The cameras were with you once again, as Now Leah sat on a small picnic blanket in your local park, late afternoon, where you would often bring your dog, Denny, you were trying to get him to run with the ball at his fist like he was about to shoot.

Leah threw her head back laughing hysterically as you fell over your feet once again, tripping on your own dog, in another attempt to get him to play football. “It’s not going to work” she shouted

“He’ll do it Leah just wait!” You shouted back laughing as you kept trying. When you made it back to the picnic blanket, you did what you were asked to do by the crew which was talk about playing each other in the World Cup.

“I always say it but I really really hope both our teams make it to the final, but I don’t think I could handle versing you in a heated game like that”

“You do it all the time though. We’ve had so many heated games against each other”

“Yeah but a World Cup final though…Hopefully one of us will be out by then” Leah shrugged, looking at you from her position on the rug with her knees tucked to her chest

“Hopefully England” you shrugged back

“No I was joking. I hope both teams are” she laughed once again.

“I think the friendly coming up against England just before the World Cup should be good.” You said as Leah nodded “Most players who will be in the World Cup squad should hopefully be in there so we get a full feel of not just the other team but hopefully our own squads”

“Yeah for sure” Leah said

“I can sense you two have a small rivalry in your own house hold” someone’s behind the camera commented

“Mm I don’t know” Leah grinned as you just laughed

“You know it’s true”

———————————

I’m pretty negative about fics like these that I write. Cause I hate this. But honestly it’s due to some of the recent think about my writing my inbox🫠🫠

So please. If you’re not a fan of it, click out of it!

Luv u all

[pixiesfz]

invaded l.wm

plot: y/n moved from man city to Arsenal and one specific man is not happy about it.

warnings: violence, talks of a stalker, more of a arsenal x reader than a lotte x reader, blood etc

He was one of the main reasons you left Manchester city, his eyes that lingered on you when in the crowd.

When you first met him he seemed like a normal fan. He asked for a photo and challenged you to a rock paper scissors to secure your top, you noticed his anger when he lost but you gave him your jersey anyways to soften the blow.

He came to every game and yearned for your attention everytime, whenever you didn’t he would then wait outside in the parking lot.

At first you thought it was cute, you had never had such a big fan well that was until he started showing up outside of the field.

You were having a coffee with your mum when you heard the clicks of a camera, turning around you saw him, with his Man City scarf on taking photos of you and your mum.

You politely waved at him and he smiled. When he next showed up it was in the off season as you went to see your girlfriend Lotte.

“You alright love?” Lotte asked as you spotted him behind a tree, how did he know you were here “Lotte we need to go” you ordered as your heart sped up, he scared you “y/n-“ “now” you cut Lotte off as you grabbed her hand and ran to your car trying to ignore his pleas as he followed you.

He stopped for a month after that but maybe it was because you stopped going out as much, he was still at every man city game and still waited for you in the parking lot where you politely smiled and waved at the crowd but he took it as you were only waving at him.

Lotte had told you to try and get a restraining order but their had never been enough evidence to even try.

One day before you announced your transfer to Arsenal you saw him again but at your front door. You slammed the door before he could try and get in but it didn’t stop him.

He bashed his fists on the door “You’re leaving me!” He yelled “your betraying me like this?” He asked.

You pushed your weight on the door, tears falling down your eyes as you pulled out your phone to call Lotte.

“Hey y/n” she answered sweetly as you sniffed “he’s here” you whispered out “he’s where y/n?” Lotte asked and you could tell her by her voice that her heart had dropped.

“My house Lotte. He’s found my house!”

“I’m calling the police, can I hang up darling just for a little bit I will call right back” she told you and you closed your eyes “I love you” you whispered in fear

“Don’t talk like that y/n” he is not going to hurt you” she said and you shook your head “I’m scared” you admitted as his fists became louder

“You bitch! I saw you at the Arsenal training grounds, you’re leaving!” He shouted and Lotte’s face turned white from the loudness of his voice “y/n I’m going to call I’ll be back”

The beep of the phone call ending made you sob again, without Lotte’s voice calming you down you were in a forensic mess.

His voice was drowned out by your thoughts and you heard sirens wailing from nearby, he did too as his fists stopped.

“You’ll regret this” he finally stated before you heard him ruffling away.

You never felt safe fully after that whilst you played your last weeks at Man City, you scanned the crowds in fear and always walked to your car quickly after a match, sometimes having Lotte pick you up.

When your news about transferring came out rumours started to spiral, until an anonymous writer came out.

Y/n y/l/n moving to Arsenal because of stalker?!

You pressed on it right away as you laid on Lotte’s chest, photos of you on walks and at cafes, one of you in your home which you moved out of as quickly as you could.

He had took these photos and now he was sending them in to make profit, your privacy for his benefit.

‘We hope y/n is well before her move to Arsenal’ it ended with and you felt yourself snuggling to Lotte even more.

You had been with Arsenal for almost a month now and it was time you versed your old team. It was bittersweet.

You loved the girls on the team and they were now your on field enemies. Lotte was the captain of the game and you were proud of her.

But nothing could stop the weird feeling in your stomach, it made you nervous and your mind was racing.

You thought it would go away as you play but the feeling was still there.

You had subbed on for Beth for a fresh pair of legs on the field on the 64th minute and it wasn’t long before you started making an impact, high giving your girlfriend as you scored a goal agains Man City.

You hadn’t even checked for the man in the crowd as you now sported the red, you should’ve maybe you would’ve seen him and the state he was in.

His eyes were baggy and it was clear to anyone around him that he would be drinking but security weren’t the best for the women’s games so they gave no mind.

It was about the 75th minute he jumped the barrier, a beer bottle in his hand, he wore your old jersey you had given to him as he stormed over to you.

You had your back to him so you couldn’t see him but some of your team mates did and the audience as they boo’d at him in the crowds, thinking he was a trouble maker wanting his 5 seconds of fame.

You looked behind you out of curiousity before you locked eyes with the man, your heart dropped before he raised his arm which the glass bottle was held in and smashed it on your head.

You dropped instantly as he yelled “traitor!” And kicked you at the head.

You had been near the sidelines so the low number of security members latched onto him as he yelled out to you but you were unconscious, on the floor with blood pouring down your face.

Almost the whole field and Audience went quiet and the TV channels who were broadcasting were lost for words.

Medics were on you quick as Lotte tan over with tears in her eyes. She looked at you and towards the man who was tackled to the floor “that’s him!” She yelled and told the security to take him to the jail.

The blood on your face wasn’t going away as more blood from your forehead and your eye fell down.

“Lotte” you choked out and sue dropped to her knees and grabbed your hand “I’m here, I’m here” she told you and kissed your knuckles “I’m scared” you cried as the medics came back with the stretcher “he’s gone now” Lotte told you, tears running down her eyes at the sight of you.

The medics pulled you up and the whole stadium was silent, the Arsenal and City girls watching you with tears in their eyes.

The game stopped.

Lotte followed you to an ambulance and most girls quickly got into their cars to follow you, not bothering to change.

You only needed a few stitches but Lotte demanded for a plastic surgery, saying you would never forgive her if she let you have a big scar from your eye to your temple.

So she waited with her head in her arms, her bright yellow captains arm band tightening around her bicep as she was joined by both the arsenal and Man city team in the waiting room.

“She’s going to be fine” Leah told her England team mate and she nodded “I know it’s just she- she was so scared” Lotte sobbed as she leaned into her team mates embrace and cried.

Both of the teams waited for you to come out of surgery, on their phones as some read articles or watches the film clip multiple times in shock of what had happened.

Lotte saw it every time she closed her eyes, the way you had no idea of the danger running towards you, the way he moved so quick nobody could stop him before the action was done.

The TV was on in the corner as the news talked about what had happened to you. Lotte watched as the reporter talked about the lack of security and how they interviews some of the games watchers, some crying.

Two hours later a doctor came into the room, shocked to see so many players waiting to see your results.

“Y/n y/l/n?” She questioned and everyone’s head shot up “yes?” Lotte stood up and the nurse nodded “she’s awake now but I think it’s best if we send people in groups” she said and Lotte let out a sigh of relief.

“You go first” Alanna said from her seat in the corner to Lotte and she nodded and walked behind the Nurse who took her to your room.

Your stitches looked oily from the numbing cream that they had lathered on top of the stitches. You don’t say anything, your eyes stuck to the ceiling.

“Why me?” You breathed out and Lotte grabbed your hand

“I don’t know baby” she replied and you looked at her, your eyes were blood shot “did they get him?” You asked and she nodded “he is behind bars and the court is allowing us to ask for a restraining order, he’s already not allowed to attend a soccer game ever again” she said and you nodded.

“Do I look as bad as I feel?” You asked and Lotte let out a little laugh “Do you really think I care about what you look like?”

“No but I care what I look like” you smiled and Lotte kissed your hand “you look beautiful, just like you always do”

You smiled “is it just you here?” You asked and Lotte scoffed “uhm actually” she started and went to the window and opened the blind which revealed the waiting room.

“Oh wow” you breathed out seeing both of your teams sitting down in the uncomfortable chairs.

“Maybe send in my national team mates, they’re most likely to tell me if I look ugly or not” you joked and your girlfriend rolled her eyes playfully at your comment.

��Actually almost all your national team mates are here” she breathed out before walking out to collect them.

When half of the Matilda’s team walked in Caitlin scoffed

“You just had to one up me from the World Cup didnt ya”

The whole room laughed at her before she laid on the bed and cuddled into your side.

“Well this will be a fun story to tell in a couple of years” you joked and your team mates laughed.

You smiled as you looked around, Lotte chating to your team mates with a smile as you cuddled into some of your younger players “I was so worried” Kyra told you and you shook your head.

“Takes a lot to take me down chicken”

[chaotic-toasters]

Invisible

TW: Bad-ish mental health

Chelsea!Reader

Ex-UNC!Reader

I don't think this makes any sense but whtvs

-----------------

Transfer to Chelsea, they said. It'll be fun, they said. Well, you said that they were wrong.

You signed for Chelsea under the promise of playing time and friendship, only to be immediately benched and left to wander the halls of Cobham by yourself.

In hindsight, it was a stupid decision to join the Blues. The winning WSL side had no need for you on their already stacked roster, and in no way were you going to be able to compete with the likes of Zecira Musovic and Hannah Hampton.

You'd once been told that only truly deserving and talented people could reach the professional level of a sport, but you were seriously doubting it. You weren't a quitter, but you were genuinely wondering if you should wait for your 23rd birthday next year to announce your retirement or if you should just announce it now. You were still young, and you weren't about to waste any more of your life waiting for your footballing career to blossom.

It was funny, you thought, how the same cycle just kept repeating. When you played in your home state of Chicago for the Red Stars, you'd sat on the bench and watched Alyssa Naeher, your captain and USWNT starting keeper, guard the net, but you'd at least been happy, being good friends with most of your teammates. Then, during your time at Manchester United, Marc Skinner had promised you that you'd play in games against easier opponents. You never did, always internally scolding yourself for believing that he would want to play you. Now, at Chelsea, you were all alone, not a familiar face or start in sight. The only time you'd been in the net during games was in college, where you'd been head of the DoD for UNC. That time was long gone, though.

-----------

"Y/N!" you almost missed Emma calling your name, too busy wondering if anyone would notice if you napped on the bench during the match. It was against Arsenal, but you were practically invisible to your teammates and the media alike.

"Yes?" you glanced up from the ground, only half-paying attention.

"Zecira isn't here and Hannah can't play on with that calf. You're going in."

"Okay." You didn't move, your manager's words not registering in your brain.

She stared at you. "Aren't you gonna go get your gloves?"

"Oh, right." You took off towards the changing room, grabbing your gloves, waterbottle, and blinding-white sweat towel that you'd had for the past three years.

When you went back outside, Emma patted you on the shoulder, offering you a word of advice and reminding you that the score was nil-nil.

It was embarrassingly quiet when you jogged into goal, the only cheers being a few quiet Chelsea fans in a sea of blue. You just shook your head to yourself, bouncing on the balls of your feet as play started up again. No distractions.

------------

A breakaway in the 51st minute had you barking orders at your backline, but none of your defenders were fast enough to catch up. Stina Blackstenius was sprinting at you full-force as you came out of your goal, and though her body shifted to the left and she passed the ball between her feet, you noticed how her eyes momentarily flicked upwards. Your hand instinctively shot up, smacking the ball away like a cat would a toy on a string, and as it flew over the crossbar, the entire stadium was silent other than the soft pitter-patter of rain on the roof.

The roar of the crowd rang out seconds later, and the Arsenal players eyed you with a newfound wariness as Steph Catley ran to take the corner kick.

"Hey," someone whispered, nudging you. "That was sick. I knew you still had it in you."

You glanced up and smiled. "Thanks, Foxy."

She ran back, sharing a few words with your other former UNC teammates, Alessia and Lotte, the three of them giving you small smiles as the whistle blew.

You came out of the net again as the ball came flying into the box, jumping up over Blackstenius again and swatting it away once more. The cheers from the Chelsea fans was deafening, drowning out whatever Emma was yelling to you from the sidelines.

Chelsea forwards and Arsenal defenders chased after the ball into the Arsenal half, leaving you, your defenders, and Arsenal forwards in your half. "Hey," Alessia called, giving you a little wave from the edge of your box. "Nice saves."

You waved back. "Thanks."

"You haven't changed a bit from Uni," she commented, jogging away. "Reflexes sharp as ever."

"You haven't changed either," you grinned. "Clumsy as ever."

Her head whipped back around indignantly. "Hey!"

-------------

It was strange being a part of your teammates' conversations. It was as if you'd been invisible before the match, and each save slowly made you appear before their eyes. They'd met you with smiles and claps on the back after the game, all too happy to secure a tie in the wake of losing their first two keepers. You could care less about your current teammates, though. The ones who really mattered were your old ones.

"We totally would have won if Chelsea didn't have you," Emily scoffed jokingly, giving you a light push. "You saved their asses."

You pushed her back with a shit-eating grin, lowering your voice. "I'll be saving your asses instead soon enough."

Lotte spit out her water onto Alessia, who shrieked in disgust. "Really?!"You snickered. "Yeah. Don't tell anyone, though."

Alessia pinched her jersey in her fingers, airing it out. "Have you thought about this? The Chelsea fans aren't going to like that at all. Trust me, I know."

"I don't care," you shrugged. "I'll be happy at Arsenal, and I know I'll get playing time."

"Well, we can't wait to see you at Colney," Lotte grinned. "Arsenal red will look great on you."

You grinned back. "I know it will."

[livin4woso]

Chapter 1 of breaking the media there's Roughly 10 parts and is ongoing so hopefully yous like it

Chapter 1- breaking the media

You knew that clubs would be interested in you but definitely not this one. You were 16 and playing for arsenal after transferring there when you were 13. You started your career off at sunderland your home club with the aspirations to be like the many legends from sunderland including beth mead, lucy bronze, Jordan nobbs there were plenty to idolise so when arsenal had offered you a place on the u16s at 13 you couldn't resist. Your parents had very little care for the fact such a large club was interested with you and had no intention to move from the north east to london so therefore sent you to a foster home for your time at arsenal. The people who you had lived with were amazing and at some points you believed they were better than your own biological parents who gave no interest in your career and no care for you in general.

Your time at arsenal was amazing you were flying through the age groups and here you landed on the first team of arsenal. Now maybe this was due to the plenty of injuries of the backline and of laura the right back which just so happened to be where you played on the pitch that lead you to your debut but you were estatic to say the least. You only played half the game but didn't mean that you couldn't leave your mark on the pitch you had executed the perfect slide tackle on lauren hemp swiftly removing the ball from her feet as she edged nearer to the box.

That tackle had left jonas an impression and many other teams beyond the wsl. You began to make more frequent appearances on the team but only as a sub but still each time you stepped on the pitch the media was all over you the next star girl who was gonna be the big thing. All the titles and names should have put pressure on you to do better yet it never did infact it was motivation to carry on. Summer had arrived the end of the season meant big transfers arsenal had missed out on winning the title race yet you were the most popular conversation topic of where will you move next or if you would stay at arsenal. Now the conversation was relentless everysingle club had wanted a piece of you and for good money from what you had heard but it was ultimately your decision and a little bit of arsenals choice after they had turned down bids from Manchester city and Chelsea early in the transfer window.

Of course you wanted to stay at arsenal, you thrived there your idols were there you grew up admiring leah williamson, beth mead and vivianne miedema, you had a few offers on the table that your agent had given to you yet none of them beat arsenal or had come close to the same pay check but that wasn't the reason you were staying it was more of the bragging rights to say you were friends them even though you were like the adopted child of arsenal many complained that your presence was aging them but it was only for jokes they loved you really. Then the call came at 11.40pm just as you were about to crawl in bed after a long day of pre season grind as unlike the other girls you couldn't go on holiday and get drunk on a beach you were 16 you couldn't even legally drink but that didnt stop you. You were exhausted as sleep weighed on your eyelids then the phone rang.

"Barcelona are interested in you" your agent said to you. "WHAT, YOU'RE JOKING" you shouted almost waking up everyone in your house. "Yes but if you want to go you need to have an answer by tomorrow, the contract is a multi year so it will be constantly updated each year..." your agent began to ramble on about the terms of the contract "yes" you splutter out interrupting his long speech "yes what?" He asked back almost fed up of your frantic behaviour "yes, i want to go its the only club i would leave arsenal for and im not gonna get another chance like this" you said firmly there was no hesitation behind your words "right then we will final up the deal with arsenal and Barcelona and we will figure out an appropriate wage" he said almost scoffing at that last comment and going back to his professional terms (ramble) which meant nothing to you.

Once he hung up the phone you lay in bed in the darkness when reality hit you "omg im going to play at Barcelona" you said to yourself "OMG IM GOING TO PLAY AT BARCELONA" you repeated to yourself this time shouting almost squealing in fact. You couldn't believe it was happening and you drifted of waiting for the deal to finalise it was going to be a long process of negotiation, but it was on you were willing to wait out for .Soon the red and white iconic kit would change to a blue and purple equally as iconic kit and you had a chance to write a legacy one which you knew would catch the medias attention, maybe even break it.

[kamotecue]

the transfer ✯ a. bonmati

pairing: aitana bonmati x reader

summary: the spanish defender tried to get you out of her mind, but she couldn’t. little did she know, she would see you sooner than she thought.

part two of here

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⋆✦⋆ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

you didn’t know how to feel about the transfer, it was a shocking move that no one expected. yet here you were on a plane to spain, more specifically barcelona to sign a two year contract with the team.

but thankfully, the team had hired someone to drop you off at the training grounds where you’ll sign the contract. after that, you’ll have the whole day to yourself.

as you arrived at the training grounds, you took a deep breath.

“nervous, ms. l/n?” the driver had asked as you chuckled at his words.

“just a little bit.” you timidly said, giving him a soft smile. he hummed at your words, completely understanding it.

“i’m sure you’ll do well, you had a fantastic season at arsenal.” he commented as you gave him a small nod. you had exited the car, and immediately someone had guided you to a room.

you talked about the contract, the essentials like the kits, the clubs sponsors and etc. you had finally signed the contract, posing for a few pictures as they would release it on their official social media page later.

“would you like to meet the team? i heard they are currently training.” a staff had asked, as you politely declined as you had to set up your apartment.

you bid goodbye before swiftly leaving but only to be stopped by a staff.

“what number would you like on your jersey?” she asked, as you gave her a small smile.

“number 17 is still available, is it not? i’d love to have that number.” you said, as she hummed in acknowledgment.

you had already set up the guest bedroom, and the kitchen. the living room was a mess as it had the cardboard boxes from the furniture you had ordered. your room was close to being complete, you just needed the finishing touch.

but the next day, you grabbed a light breakfast before heading to the training grounds. you had two pairs of football boots in your kit bag, followed by shin pads and a fresh pair of clothes. you were clad in the barcelona training kit, and it was quite stunning.

you watched from the corner of your eye as the team did their stretching. you were having a small talk with the physiotherapist about your recent knee injury that you sustained during the world cup, it was the final game against norway.

“muy bien chicas, tenemos un nuevo fichaje. [alright ladies, we have a new signing.]” jonatan, the head coach said as the players had stopped their stretching—a late signing? whispers had broke out, a late signing was always interesting.

“¿vamos? [shall we?]” he commented as you took a deep breath before making your way to the field, aitana’s eyes had widened on realization. while the rest looked a bit curious.

you weren’t from world class national teams like they were. but you were signed to a well known club in london, arsenal was always a talk of the town.

“este es y/n l/n, nuestro nuevo fichaje. y/n, puedes presentarte. [this is y/n l/n, our newest signing. y/n, you can introduce yourself.]” he gave you a small smile, as you softly nodded.

“hola, soy y/n. anteriormente jugé para el arsenal, y juego para el equipo nacional femenino de filipinas. [hello, i’m y/n. i previously played for arsenal, and i play for the philippine national women’s team.]” you fluently said in spanish, as a few players furrowed their eyebrows.

you had locked eyes with aitana as she gave you a soft smile, little did you know—that was the start of a developing relationship.

[12woso12]

Dorothy lands in North London- Prologue

Arsenal buy America's top defender: You.

TW: mentions of mental health, suicide, please don't read if you don't feel up to it

You were built to survive pressure. You were moulded perfectly by the drunk slurs of your father and the untimely death of your mother. There wasn't a single moment that you couldn't handle, you took everything the world threw at you as though you'd been and done it all before.

World cup penalty? No problem.

Injury setback? Bring it on.

Arsenal transfer? Hell yes.

You took everything in your stride, laughing at your own misfortune, finding humour in the darkness. That's how you'd handled your mum's suicide: with insensitive jokes and a cheeky grin that never quite managed to meet your eyes. Most of your frustrations were taken out on the pitch, rough tackles or risky arguments with the opposition had resulted in you being the most carded playing in the NWSL at just 16 years old.

But your aggressive nature on the pitch never seeped into your personality away from football, you made sure of that. You'd do anything to ensure you never inherited your dad's temper and hurt people the way he'd hurt people. The way he'd hurt your mum...the way he hurt you. It was essential that your frustrations were kept firmly on football.

The year you were first called up to the USWNT was the year you finally made enough money to move out. You were sixteen and desperate to escape the clutches of your dad and his disastrous ways. The call up was a long time coming, the NWSL hadn't seen a player with as much potential as you since a teenage Alex Morgan first appeared on the scene.

The call up gained you more attention than you were used to. Granted, you were pretty well known in the States already having played with Gotham city for a year but the media attention you gained for a national call up? That changed the course of your life forever.

Your first tournament with the national team had been nothing short of incredible. It was the 2019 World Cup and you'd spent the entire group stage sat on the bench until Becky Sauerbrunn had gone down injured in the round of 16 and suddenly, you'd been given the chance of a lifetime.

Courageously, at your big age of sixteen, you played in every game until the trophy was in your hands and you were being hailed as the next Bobby Moore. A comparison you were incredibly embarrassed about but one that your teammates, Alex especially, were more than happy to keep reminding you of.

Five years later and you were coming to the end of your contract with Orlando Pride after playing two seasons for them. You were weighing up options for the future, you'd received enough interest from teams across the world to make the decision challenging enough and it was Marta who'd first noticed your troubled expression at training which was an unusual sight compared to your normal sunny nature.

'What's the matter, kid? Your face stuck like that or something?' Marta approached you after drills, concerned as you struggled to shoot her a smile. If there was someone who had all the answers, it was Marta.

'I don't know what to do' You began dropping onto the pitch as the rest of your teammates scurried inside, eager to get to lunch. Marta sat herself down besides you frowning.

'What?' she questioned

You sign and shrug, deflated. 'I've got a lot of interest for my next contract. Obviously Orlando want me to stay but...Gotham want me back, San Diego have been in touch. Even some stuff from Europe'

Much to your surprise, Marta chuckles. 'Kid if i had your problems i'd never want a problem-free life again. You're a superstar! All this attention is deserved'

A small smile stretched across your face. You supposed that Martha did have a point, you were in an incredibly lucky position.

'The offer from San Diego did sound promising...' your mind began to wonder to the conversation you'd had earlier with your agent. He'd be ecstatic about the deal they were willing to offer, there would be a lot of money involved.

'San Diego?' Marta scoffed 'Anjinho, you should set your sights further. If Europe come looking, you make sure you are found.'

You sighed. Europe was just so far away. 'Arsenal have been interested for a while'

Marta slapped you gently on the shoulder 'Arsenal!' she exclaimed 'You love Arsenal...why would you pass on their offer?'

'They're a top team, i mean Leah Williamson plays there. Alessia Russo, Kim Little. I can't hold a candle to them' It was true, you thought. You were only 21, why would they need a kid when they have all the experience and expertise of England's captain?

'Don't be estupida. They would be lucky to have you. You can't spend your entire career in the states. You're too good for that. Way.Too.Good.'

You feel pride seep into your bones. If the great Marta thought you were good, then that was definitely a compliment worth keeping close to your heart.

'Go to Arsenal.' Marta continued. 'Get as far away from here as possible'

'Yeah?' You asked nervously.

'Make yourself found, kid'

Part 1

[sullustangin]

So ridiculous question: Did Valkorion ever come out while Eva and Theron were having sex?

This made me laugh out loud! Thanks for the larf; I've needed it due to IRL stuff. <3

Ok, so, the short answer is NO. Valky is repulsed by Theron and tends to go mope in his prison in Eva's head whenever our favorite spy shows up. He wants NOTHING to do with her private life. Theron is icky to him, and he'd rather gargle razor blades and iodine than get an eyeful.

~~

The slightly longer answer in my universe: I imagine that Valkorion screwed up when he picked Eva to be his host. At the time, a Force User made sense, but he's done that before -- booooring. Plus there's no crueler way to further fuck up your not-favorite son than to create a vessel that can kick his ass -- and can't even use the Force naturally. Smugglers are greedy and weak-minded -- this will be easy.

Valkorion didn't anticipate that the vessel could not only hold him but trap him. He thought he could just take up residence, upgrade Eva's arsenal and give her Force abilities, then take the Throne back. No biggie, even if Arcann did chuck her in a freezer for five years. ....but then Valkorion found that he couldn't just take control. He couldn't do what he did on Ziost.

Is he weaker? Is she stronger than Jedi Masters (at least the Hero of Tython in Act 2 and the Sixth Line)? In my universe, it's a bit of both.

Valkorion picked the most stubborn, Force-null, immune-to-manipulation criminal in the galaxy. This is known in the game since we see at least 2 instances (one on Tatooine and one in an FP) where the Smuggler laughs off an attempt to influence them, much to the Sith's consternation. Combine that with the loss of power that the Emperor had when the Valkrion body was slain; I don't think all of the Emperor's power went to the Outlander in a 1:1 transfer.

Valky lost something when he died, and Eva is particularly resistant to the Force. She can tossed around by it, like any visible object, but her own presence in it isn't particularly strong. I've headcanoned that Force Users can't just sense her Life Force, reach out, and grab her; Miraluka have trouble perceiving her and extensive cyborgs like Arn (another headcanon of mine). Direct line of sight in the same room? Yes, she can be acted upon, but it's not as easy as it could be. Force Users also can't do stuff like Force Choke her across a commlink, like Vader does. Eva is difficult to act upon, if that makes sense. Valkorion can talk to her, but it takes a lot of effort; this is why he's sometimes there, sometimes not.

We see in KotFE several instances where Valkorion exerts himself to save the Outlander's life -- because it saves his life. I imagine that he does exhaust himself in these expenditures, which causes him to go silent for much of the six months between KotFE and KotET. As much as Eva is stuck with Valkorion in her head, Valkorion is equally unable to leave, and he is NOT HAPPY about Eva's lifestyle overall.

Valkorion is not going to waste his energy and make himself want to drink bleach by interrupting sexy time. Also, if he was going to do a body hijack prior to the Throne, the last person he'd do it in front of would be Theron. Theron may be an inferior being for lacking the Force, but he is perceptive. It's a combination of Theron being brilliant at analysis and observation (spy and operations manager), but also the love factor. I do imagine Valkorion loved Senya at some point, and people in love notice their partner -how they move, what they do when they're in a mood, etc. Valkorion is just smart enough to know Theron would catch on fast if Eva wasn't herself. He was human, once, after all.

[elmaestrostan]

Ahh I’ve so much time & love for Deano, truly one of our own. This section made my heart swell 🥹

Smith was working at the game for Sky Sports and before taking any questions, Emery looked him in the eye and said, “Thank you for everything” as the pair shook hands.

It was a moment that resonated with Villa supporters, who will see the top-four credentials of Emery’s team – built on the foundations laid by Smith – tested by Manchester City and Arsenal this week.

Eight players who were signed and nurtured by Villa under Smith – Emiliano Martínez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz, Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey – have been crucial to Emery since he took over in October last year. Smith was also responsible for giving academy graduate Jacob Ramsey his first-team debut.

“It was a really nice touch from Unai and completely unexpected,” says Smith. “I’d come across him before, as I did my study visit for my Pro Licence at Valencia and we played Arsenal a couple of times, in pre-season and in the League Cup, when I was at Brentford.

“We had a good chat after the League Cup game and I actually asked if I could go and see what he was doing at Arsenal. He joked, ‘The way your team is playing, I think I should come in and see you’, so there has always been that mutual respect. I didn’t get the chance to go and see him again at Arsenal because not long after I got the Villa job.

(Hop the paywall under the cut)

Dean Smith interview: ‘I’m proud the spine of my team is firing Unai Emery’s Aston Villa’

Exclusive: Smith's work in the transfer window has been the foundation of the success being achieved under Emery

Matt Law, Football News Correspondent

5 December 2023 • 8:00am

Dean Smith interview: ‘I’m proud the spine of my team is firing Unai Emery’s Aston Villa’

Dean Smith signed many of the players who make up the Aston Villa team Credit: Telegraph/Geoff Pugh

It was ahead of Aston Villa’s 11th consecutive home victory in the Premier League, against West Ham United, that head coach Unai Emery echoed the thoughts of the majority of the club’s fans when he encountered former manager Dean Smith.

Smith was working at the game for Sky Sports and before taking any questions, Emery looked him in the eye and said, “Thank you for everything” as the pair shook hands.

It was a moment that resonated with Villa supporters, who will see the top-four credentials of Emery’s team – built on the foundations laid by Smith – tested by Manchester City and Arsenal this week.

Eight players who were signed and nurtured by Villa under Smith – Emiliano Martínez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz, Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey – have been crucial to Emery since he took over in October last year. Smith was also responsible for giving academy graduate Jacob Ramsey his first-team debut.

“It was a really nice touch from Unai and completely unexpected,” says Smith. “I’d come across him before, as I did my study visit for my Pro Licence at Valencia and we played Arsenal a couple of times, in pre-season and in the League Cup, when I was at Brentford.

“We had a good chat after the League Cup game and I actually asked if I could go and see what he was doing at Arsenal. He joked, ‘The way your team is playing, I think I should come in and see you’, so there has always been that mutual respect. I didn’t get the chance to go and see him again at Arsenal because not long after I got the Villa job.

“I look at the spine Unai usually goes for and I’m quite proud of the fact it’s Emi Martínez, Ezri Konsa, John McGinn, who Steve Bruce signed but played really well for me, Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins.”

Martínez, Cash, Mings, Douglas Luiz and Watkins made their senior debuts for their national teams after being signed by Smith, with Konsa winning his first England call-up last month. No wonder most of them, including Jack Grealish who is now at City but is suspended for Wednesday night’s game at Villa Park, still call Smith ‘Gaffer’.

“I keep in touch with a lot of them. Ezri, Jack, Dibu [Martínez] and it’s always pleasing to see them get in the national team squads,” says Smith. “I was really pleased to see Ezri get in the last England squad. I’ve been banging his drum for a long time, I think he’s a Rolls Royce of a player.

“A bit like Ollie, who I took from Exeter for £1.3 million, I signed Ezri for Brentford, from Charlton, and then for Villa. He made a big mistake against Newcastle in the first game of the season and I texted him after saying: ‘It’s always what you do next.. You don’t see too many mistakes from him, he just keeps improving.”

Smith admits that he cannot take all the credit for Douglas Luiz, who Villa signed for £15 million from City and is now valued closer to £100 million amid links to his former club and Arsenal, who failed with a bid for him last year. Douglas Luiz took time to settle and Smith believes the fact the Brazilian greeted him in English at that West Ham game in October demonstrates why he is now flourishing.

“With Dougie, I didn’t know an awful lot about him, but Suso [former Villa sporting director Jesus García Pitarch] sold him to me,” says Smith. “He was the best player in training all the time, but when he first came to Villa, the language was a barrier. He’s from a favela in Brazil, so his education was maybe a bit different from some of the lads.

“Once he started to integrate more and build relationships, then you could see the improvement. He surprised me at the West Ham game when he saw me and he spoke English to me because it would be very rare he would do that when I was in charge.

“Pep [Guardiola] really liked him, but I think City had a big problem because he wouldn’t play enough to get his work permit. I think City moved beyond him in that first season in the Premier League. They had a buy-back clause and it was good for Villa that they didn’t take it up, but you could see him going and playing there now.”

Emery is not just benefiting from Smith’s influence on the pitch but also off it after the 52-year-old transformed the culture and atmosphere inside Villa Park, which has recovered from a brief period of dissatisfaction under Steven Gerrard.

Villa were 15th in the Championship table when Smith was appointed just over five years ago and such was the disconnect between former managers, the team and the fans that a section of the club’s famous stadium had been shut for over two years before his arrival.

“The upper tier of the Trinity Road stand had been shut and there had been a lot of negativity, but it was opened again for my first game in charge and I really wanted to make Villa Park a place where players enjoyed playing and fans enjoyed going because I knew what an advantage it could be,” says Smith.

“We had to make that connection and get Villa Park bouncing again. We got that and Unai’s got that, too. I also tried to set standards and a culture for the players.

“I remember seeing Tammy Abraham for the first time and he came bouncing up to say that he was looking forward to working with me. I reminded him of a game he played on loan at Bristol City against Brentford. He said: ‘Yeah you battered us that day.’ And I said: ‘Yeah, I know but if you talk to me like you talked to your manager that day, then you won’t be playing.’

“It was just an early marker to set some boundaries. Jack [Grealish] thinks I did that to him as well because I subbed him off with about 10 minutes to go in my first game. We had a chat in my office and I asked him how many assists he’d got. One. How many goals? Zero. Then I asked him where he thought he could go and play and he said, ‘Premier League and England’ and I said, ‘Not with them numbers you’re not.’

“Jack was incredible for me and has gone on to achieve everything he said he wanted to and Tammy was brilliant in the season we got up as well.”

Villa have won 13 successive Premier League games at home under Emery, beating Luton Town and Fulham since the victory over West Ham, but it remains to be seen whether or not the Spaniard’s achievements are marked in the same way Smith’s were.

Under Smith, Villa set a record of 10 successive League victories on their way to promotion from the Championship, stayed in the Premier League at the first attempt, reached the Carabao Cup final, beat Manchester United at Old Trafford and famously thrashed Liverpool 7-2.

“It would be nice if Unai doesn’t take that 10-game record off me for a while,” said Smith. “Somebody sent me beer mats that say ‘Aston Villa, Dean Smith’ and they’ve got everything listed on there like the 10-game run, the 7-2, beating Birmingham City and some of the other things. I’ve got the full set!”

[peligrosapop]

cute that you think frankie coming back is going to solve a structural problem. we have been playing badly for a long time, even with frenkie, but moments of individual brilliance saves us. the fact is that xavi makes tactical decisions that make no sense, anyone can see that the high 8s don’t work, that lewy should stay inside the box instead of roaming around the field, that playing romeu, alonso and a few others is giving up before the match starts

That’s your opinion. We’ve been playing without our best midfielders for 2 months, 2 of our attackers are just coming back from month long injuries and most of our players haven’t been rested enough but our bench is either over 30 without proper game rhythm (not played consistently) or under 20 (very lil experience) so obviously, besides that in the last two games we seem creatively stuck, lack of intensity and the game plan maybe wasn’t the best, I understand your pessimism but we have like 3-4 players that started 2.5 months ago with the team and haven’t had a consistent 11 that play with each other enough to know and feel comfortable with each other,I think, since we started bc of injuries and such. And yea, Xavi is a young coach (went from 1st division in Qatar for 2 years top, payed them 2 millions out if his pocket knowing he wasn’t Laporta’s first choice, to come one of the if the most difficult club to coach as a rookie coach in first division Europe) that makes mistakes, but he also came to a broke club that has been trying to build itself up again with a good team mainly of really really homegrown young cracks, or experienced vets that come for free after being free agents. We haven’t had a core group that has played 3-4 years with each other like Man City, Arsenal, Bayern, Ac Milan etc. Who are left from the starting 11 back in 21-22? Pedri? Gavi? Araujo? Ferrán? FDJ? That’s it? That’s it. And Pedri and Araujo get injured frequently.

This was always gonna be a long project. The fact that the palaca$ existed and we could buy some decent players like Lewy, Raphinha and Jules last year was a miracle and why we won La Liga and Supercopa, if not that would have been close to imposible. We spent 4 million this summer transfer and did fucking miracles. People forget where we are coming from. The trophies came earlier than they should have, really. Look at other team rebuilding. Arsenal? It has taken them 3 years to get where they are now, how many trophies? Girona has gotten where they are bc Mitchel has been there since 2021 with a main core of players and really smart buys/loans from really good scouting (and City group money), how many trophies?. This week was official the second anniversary of Xavi, who came mid season. A total mid-idiot-coach with no tactical skills would have not gotten a 9th place team to 2nd and on the way trashed 0-4 at Bernabeu the team that ended up being Champions of Europe that year. He obv has been experimenting more this year bc he has different players, lots of new ones between new transfers and kids from La Masia that came up and to makeup for injuries. We have won and tied with 5-6 injured players at a time, you know how hard that is? I think people are crazy.

Do I think both the team and staff need to reset? Yea. Wake up and shake it off? Yea? Were the last two games a disgrace? Yes. Should Xavi be sacked? No. Who the fuck is gonna come and coach us anyway? All the options are worse than Xavi. If we push him away, we’re gonna regret it like we did with Lucho. Calma.

We had a bad batch last season too Jan/February with injuries too, and fucking up in Europa, this shit happens. We still won trophies.

[unitedbydevils]

The case for Sofyan Amrabat

Manchester United actually seem to have their arse in gear this transfer window - a good sign in the days post-Woodward but something we were unsure of given one good window prior doesn't prove a football management team is competent.

Mason Mount has already been signed and handed the no7 shirt. The signing of André Onana to replace David De Gea looks set to be completed in the next 2-3 days, Zion Suzuki has popped up out of nowhere which is almost certainly a sign he's coming in, and the Hojlund rumours are still going on - with Mason Greenwood potentially a loanee going the other way.

These are all good signings for positions in dire need, but the one position we're possibly ignoring is another defensive/holding midfielder. Manchester United are HEAVILY reliant on Casemiro to be the calm pivot player in the middle of the pitch orchestrating the recycling of the ball through the red ranks.

United's form with Casemiro out suspended or injured last year was notably worse, and in the words of Darren Bent: "When he's not there, you notice a big difference".

Casemiro's form built up nicely throughout the season but he's not shy of a strong - or rash - tackle, and that comes with risk. United lack an able substitute for his position and role, and for a team looking to solidify its top four position in a league with Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Liverpool all vying for the spots, as well as trying to close the gap on treble-winning neighbours Man City... you can't be that vulnerable in squad depth.

Fred and McTominay are both no8s, if not perhaps a 10 in McTominay's case. Fred is a shuttle player. High energy, good intent, but crap at tackling and complicated play. McTominay is strong, has good stamina, can score a tidy goal, but his awareness and positioning lack.

Mount is a new, flexible signing but he's a box to box midfielder at most for defensive actions. He's a pressing attacking player. Instead, United need to sign an actual CDM - or someone roughly in that mould.

This is where Sofyan Amrabat makes so much sense. Aside being very much affordable, Amrabat had a stellar world cup and Europa Conference League. He plays short, safe, and is a hyper vigilant midfielder. He's not one to play a teammate into a bad spot, or land them in trouble with a hospital pass, and his awareness counters the hard presses of better teams. Aside being a good rotation with Casemiro, this could also be a good partnership WITH him behind Bruno/Mount in tougher games like Anfield or the Etihad.

His statistics show that Casemiro's more capable of winning the ball back, but given his very high pass completion rate - 98% of which were forward passes! - I do wonder if that stat is skewed by the fact he's in possession and retaining it more than most and more than we are currently, so we're not seeing the tackling.

Ultimately our top 2 priorities are GK and CF, even if we did get Mount in already. That was just a surprise opportunity. Could we do a deal for Amrabat? For sure. 100% he'd want to come, we know ETH likes him, but we're yet to sell anyone and generate additional funds. If we can sell Elanga, Fred, Maguire, Henderson, Bailly, Telles... then we can look at extra signings like Amrabat.

I really hope we do make a move here because we'd be stupid to rely on Casemiro staying disciplined or the emerging Kobbie Mainoo who can play most CM positions but it still a super raw talent. We need an Amrabat, or perhaps Florentino Luís or Lavia.

Somebody to help share the burden has to be the next objective after concluding deals for Onana and a striker, and the sequence of transfers and the pace of them - especially considering the imminent pre-season tour - will be a test of United's new management and whether the club really is back from its banter era.

[det-andrewmoore]

Andrés Majano ♦ Cis Man (he/him) ♦ Forty ♦ Civilian ♦ Football manager with Arsenal FC

Ruthlessness is a virtue in this game, on the pitch. If the players aren’t willing to embrace that, then they have no business being in my team.

We all have this earliest memory which never leaves our mind. To some, it’s the first day at school, a particularly nice day or, more often, a small fright. Either way, those memories usually date back to the age of 3 to 6 years old.

Andrés didn’t have a memory predating the day he woke up in a hospital. He had been in a coma for months and neither the doctors or the police, despite their best efforts, could figure out how that boy wound up shipped in a box, or where he came from at all. Whoever had put him in there had left absolutely no traces behind them, and soon, he was placed in an orphanage. To the social workers’ surprise, the boy was well spoken, polite and had received an education. He was adopted by a Spanish businessman and his wife, and his life only began then.

He spent the end of his childhood in Málaga, on the southern coast of Spain, learned the language, and displayed an interest for football, a sport he’d played in his former life. If he also had spent countless hours riding horses and fencing, those were hobbies he wasn’t exposed to, and therefore never found himself drawn to. If his father would have preferred his son took over the business, a scout for Málaga CF decided otherwise. By the time he was 15, Andrés would spend more time on the pitch than he did in classrooms, and he debuted his professional career by the time he turned 17.

Soon enough, he shone too bright for his Andalusian club and transferred to Milan and then Turin. But, his goal, like many other players before him, had always been England and the Premiere league, and his dream came true when he wound up playing for Arsenal FC from the age of 23 until the age of 31. Finishing his career with Bayern München, he retired at 34 and dedicated the next couple of years to his new mission. Andrés was a born leader, having often found himself the designated team captain in his teams, and he didn’t want to be one of those football players who ended up forgotten by the time he turned 40.

But life wasn’t only rainbows and butterflies, and even the most successful men had their demons. If he made it a point to keep himself in good shape, and always encouraged his team mates and now his players of doing the same, Andrés wasn’t as strong psychologically speaking. He had his vices : he slept around, a fear of abandonment keeping him from ever trusting anyone enough for longer company, and he found enjoyment in gambling : sometimes, he was successful, some others... not so much. He spends a fortune paying back the Red Rose Casino yet can’t stop himself from going back. Eventually, his generous salary won’t be able to cover all of his expenses and people will start talking.

+ / -  decisive, pragmatic, federator, charming, insecure, secretive, ruthless, severe

Over the course of his career, Andrés has played as a midfielder in many clubs (finishing his career with FC Bayern München) and with the Spanish national team. The highlights of his career will remain a World and European title with Spain (2010 and 2012).

Andrés has a distinctive burn mark on his hand, which dates back from before his adoption. He doesn’t remember where it comes from, and will come up with a different story to explain it each time he’s asked about it.

He bought a house in Kensington, London not too far from Hyde Park, the train station or the Arsenal stadium, but though he owns other places in each place he played, Andrés had to sold already one of them in order to reimburse the Jabberwocks.

Each of his houses has a garden attached to it : Andrés finds solace putting his hands in the dirt and making sure each and every plant gets everything it needs to thrive. His garden is a place sacred to him and one he cherishes more than any other possession. He puts a lot of thought and time into it.

Having lived in Spain and played in Italy, England and Germany, Andrés speaks all four languages with acceptable fluency.

[kylewalker-peters]

I know you're tags about 'are all these men irreplaceable blobs to you' and that post in general is a little tongue in cheek but I genuinely think that's how far far too many football fans actuality see players. I'll spare the anti-capitalism rant but like basically they're treated as commodities by the clubs and fifa etc. and that translates to the fans (and media) as well. just look at the language we use for transfers, it's incredibly dehumanising. If we all picked a 'flop' to unapologetically root for it probably would make fan culture an awful lot better because at least they'd be far more people seeing players as human beings or even just praising them for the shit they do right

lemme do a read more cause i think I'm just rambling to be cathartic and it's a Friday afternoon and i don't wanna do any damn work.

god, the way that football organisations treat players is insane like i'd like to see anyone making decisions about the football calendar and adding more and more matches into a season try and do that themselves let alone pushing a bunch of athletes to do it year in year out. fuck me the fact we have 2 instances of UEFA going "i know the incident that just happened to you (bus bombing/ teammate resuscitated on the pitch) was traumatic but like could you please just get on with playing the silly little football game now anyway? thanks xx"

i think "treat players as humans" is literally the easiest thing in the world to do and the fact there are many fans that fail to clear that bar is just.... holy shit. idk if it's because of the wealth they earn or because their job is essentially "kick about with my mates every week" that makes people feel as though they can go and abuse them on social media or whatever but it's such an insane mindset to have.

i think because so much comes down to player performance our approach to players obviously enters more nuanced and complex territory than just treat people with respect/don't harrass people to the point they have to limit their insta comments (which is what spurs fans did to royal and i wish those people a very get hit over the head with a brick). this comes into like you said the language used for players where you know... they're there to be bought and sold. and obviously no team can afford to carry players or should keep players that aren't good enough that would be bad. i've said multiple times i'd dropkick players to the antarctic 5th division when the team is playing like crap.

but idk if it's just because i could get emotionally attached to a piece of dust but the way some fans approach players is just so distant to me???? sometimes it feels as though the aim is more to just criticise and nitpick rather than support and cheer on (eg royal or ryan). and it's frustrating as hell to have a player go out there that isn't very good, I'm not saying fans have to be super positive and like every player all the time, I don't myself. but even players like hugo who have genuinely earned a shit ton of good will and love from being here for over a decade are seeing none of it. not that we shouldn't say he's past his prime or should be dropped but fans are rewriting his legacy at the club or just slagging him off in ways that are genuinely so mean you'd think he played for arsenal. like there's just no sadness about him coming to the end.

and especially when your team is shite it's more fun to root for an outside player's success. i get that when your team is bad you feel less connected to the team and its players but i think if you then choose to root for someone, literally anyone, in that squad you're going to have a better time. shit I've been saying ryan redemption season since 2019, i had the Sissoko Goal Campaign, my URL is bloody KWP. like as a fan you don't need to be as clinical and cutthroat as the board of a football club you can actually inject some love and passion and emotional connection into your football watching experience

wait no the better example is tripps having his dogshite season and i was obviously critical of his performances and shit but it was always coming from a place of love and shit and i was so upset when he left you wouldn't believe. like you can literally have the best of both worlds i wish people would embrace that

[redwineconversation]

The Alcott

There will be those who will argue that what was Arsene Wenger was to Arsenal, Jean-Michel Aulas was to Lyon.

That argument is wrong.

I'm not denying Wenger's impact at Arsenal. He is part of the reason I became an Arsenal (men's) fan, after all. I didn't know Arsenal before Wenger. They became mine under him, a team of misfits, awkward in their own right, but special, different. They were awkward and gangly and they won things and you looked at them play and thought "huh, weird" but also "I'll see you next week." Arsene Wenger changed Arsenal. Let's not get that wrong.

But Jean-Michel Aulas created Lyon. I think there's a difference.

I talk a lot about the importance of understanding Lyon's history and I stand by that. To know Lyon is to understand them. To understand why they are the way they are today, you have to understand how they got to that point. You have to understand how we got to where we are, is what I am trying to say. History matters. it has always mattered.

OL Groupe released a statement overnight that Jean-Michel Aulas is no longer president of Olympique Lyonnais and that John Textor will be taking over the role.

I cannot help but be extremely concerned for what this means for Olympique Lyonnais Feminin.

Now, I know what NWSL fans are going to argue. Michele Kang cares about WoSo, they will say. Washington Spirit players love Michele Kang. She's rich, they insist, she'll put money in the team, this is a good thing.

Those arguments are superficial at best.

You can't equate Michele Kang to Jean-Michel Aulas, you just can't. Michele Kang saved Washington Spirit, sure, I'll give you as much. I'll even grant you that she cares about WoSo. I think she believes in the cause.

But that's not enough for a team like Olympique Lyonnais Feminin. There is too much at stake. This isn't a spat about an owner that doesn't care at all, this is about taking over from a president who literally, and I do mean that in the proper sense of the term, built the team in his own image. Olympique Lyonnais Feminin exists because Aulas wanted to build the best women's team in the world. He didn't want to buy it, he wanted to create it.

Aulas and Kang are both business(wo)men, I'm not denying that at all. But they don't hold the same level of influence. I sincerely doubt Kang will get Lyon players to listen the way that Aulas did. And why should they listen to Kang? What has she done for Lyon, exactly?

Lyon is such an emotional team, they really are. They crave loyalty about all else, and John Textor took that away from them. He broke their trust, and we're supposed to believe that Lyon is going to transfer their trust to a total stranger in Michele Kang?

As I said, to believe that demonstrates a total misunderstanding of Olympique Lyonnais operates.

UEFA will not pick up the phone if Michele Kang calls. FIFA will not pick up the phone if Michele Kang calls. FIFPro won't pick up, the national federations won't pick up, I'm not even sure if the league representatives will pick up.

It's nothing personal, it's just that Michele Kang hasn't ... well, done anything. She saved Washington Spirit, sure, but are we really going to sit here and argue that Washington Spirit holds the same name brand as Olympique Lyonnais? Are we going to pretend the results are the same, the players are the same, the consequences are the same?

Who cares, really, if Washington Spirit lose every game of the season? There are no real consequences thanks to how the NWSL is structured. You're going to argue I am being too harsh. Okay, I'll lower the bar. Are there really any consequences if Washington Spirit does not make the playoffs? Of course not. Now imagine the repercussions if Olympique Lyonnais fails to qualify for the Champions League.

Are we going to sit here and pretend that's the same thing?

Are we going to sit here, and be honest, you and I. Are we going to sit here and pretend that Michele Kang has demonstrated the ability to manage a team like Olympique Lyonnais? What happens when there's a clash between a Lyon player and a national federation? What is Michele Kang going to do about it? No one cares about how Michele Kang feels about the situation because Michele Kang hasn't dealt with that situation.

it frustrates me enormously that certain OL (men) fans are celebrating Aulas being out, as though he is the problem for Lyon (men)'s lackluster performances. They say you don't always appreciate what you have until it's gone, and I am genuinely, genuinely afraid that we are going to experience this live.

I'm angry at John Textor, too. I think the way he has handled this club since his takeover is insulting. It shows a blatant lack of understanding of the club's history and how it actually operates.

But more than that I am concerned. As I keep saying, Michele Kang doesn't have the understanding of Olympique Lyonnais Feminin to get the players on her side. They won't trust her, which means they won't go to her, which means they won't obey her. Those are all important elements.

I know I keep hammering on about this, but you don't run an NWSL club the way you run a Champions League club, and especially not a club like Olympique Lyonnais. You don't buy that team's loyalty, you earn it.

John Textor bought the most successful women's club in football history. He managed to turn it into Umea.

If we're not going to talk about how that will damage women's football, then we have a serious problem.

[archivelondonfalling-rpg]

Andrés Majano ♦ Cis Man (he/him) ♦ Forty ♦ Civilian ♦ Football manager with Arsenal FC

Ruthlessness is a virtue in this game, on the pitch. If the players aren’t willing to embrace that, then they have no business being in my team.

We all have this earliest memory which never leaves our mind. To some, it’s the first day at school, a particularly nice day or, more often, a small fright. Either way, those memories usually date back to the age of 3 to 6 years old.

Andrés didn’t have a memory predating the day he woke up in a hospital. He had been in a coma for months and neither the doctors or the police, despite their best efforts, could figure out how that boy wound up shipped in a box, or where he came from at all. Whoever had put him in there had left absolutely no traces behind them, and soon, he was placed in an orphanage. To the social workers’ surprise, the boy was well spoken, polite and had received an education. He was adopted by a Spanish businessman and his wife, and his life only began then.

He spent the end of his childhood in Málaga, on the southern coast of Spain, learned the language, and displayed an interest for football, a sport he’d played in his former life. If he also had spent countless hours riding horses and fencing, those were hobbies he wasn’t exposed to, and therefore never found himself drawn to. If his father would have preferred his son took over the business, a scout for Málaga CF decided otherwise. By the time he was 15, Andrés would spend more time on the pitch than he did in classrooms, and he debuted his professional career by the time he turned 17.

Soon enough, he shone too bright for his Andalusian club and transferred to Milan and then Turin. But, his goal, like many other players before him, had always been England and the Premiere league, and his dream came true when he wound up playing for Arsenal FC from the age of 23 until the age of 31. Finishing his career with Bayern München, he retired at 34 and dedicated the next couple of years to his new mission. Andrés was a born leader, having often found himself the designated team captain in his teams, and he didn’t want to be one of those football players who ended up forgotten by the time he turned 40.

But life wasn’t only rainbows and butterflies, and even the most successful men had their demons. If he made it a point to keep himself in good shape, and always encouraged his team mates and now his players of doing the same, Andrés wasn’t as strong psychologically speaking. He had his vices : he slept around, a fear of abandonment keeping him from ever trusting anyone enough for longer company, and he found enjoyment in gambling : sometimes, he was successful, some others... not so much. He spends a fortune paying back the Red Rose Casino yet can’t stop himself from going back. Eventually, his generous salary won’t be able to cover all of his expenses and people will start talking.

+ / -  decisive, pragmatic, federator, charming, insecure, secretive, ruthless, severe

Over the course of his career, Andrés has played as a midfielder in many clubs (finishing his career with FC Bayern München) and with the Spanish national team. The highlights of his career will remain a World and European title with Spain (2010 and 2012).

Andrés has a distinctive burn mark on his hand, which dates back from before his adoption. He doesn’t remember where it comes from, and will come up with a different story to explain it each time he’s asked about it.

He bought a house in Kensington, London not too far from Hyde Park, the train station or the Arsenal stadium, but though he owns other places in each place he played, Andrés had to sold already one of them in order to reimburse the Jabberwocks.

Each of his houses has a garden attached to it : Andrés finds solace putting his hands in the dirt and making sure each and every plant gets everything it needs to thrive. His garden is a place sacred to him and one he cherishes more than any other possession. He puts a lot of thought and time into it.

Having lived in Spain and played in Italy, England and Germany, Andrés speaks all four languages with acceptable fluency.

FC : John Krasinski

[livin4woso]

Breaking the media

Chapter 9- the media can be scary

You woke to the sound of your name being shouted along the corridor from alexia, so you picked up your phone and walked to the kitchen to find alexia had made breakfast for the two of yous. You opened your phone, and you looked as every single social media of yours had blown up, and the news was all on you. The comments of the next england star girl takes stage at Barcelona at just 16. You almost couldn't believe it. Your transfer had already gotten some attention from the media, but this. This was collosal in less that 24hrs you had gained over 100k followers on Instagram, you couldn't really believe it. Since you had played at arsenal you had been under a watchful eye by the media yet it never phased you but this was different there was alot more news on you and the pressure started to weigh on your shoulders.

Alexia had snapped you out of your thoughts by telling you to hurry up to go to training. You had arrived sharply on time for a match debrief "ohh heres the famous y/n watch out" mapi joked with you "oh shut it mapi you're just jealous that im all over the news and you're not" you responded to her laughing lightly. You had sat on the end of the row hoping to get some peace as everyone sat next to their respective friends, and then it was lucy who came to sit next to you. "You okay?" you asked her "yeah yeah its just a calf pull its not anything to worry about, the only thing i should be worried about is you taking my spot" she responded laughing at the last part of the sentence "oh god no i could never take your spot but in a a year or so cant garentee that one" you responded to her while being told to sushh by your teamates as the meeting started. The meeting was boring you spent more time playing with the strings on your shorts then paying attention as the whole presentation was in spanish and although alexia had been helping you learn to speak spanish it wasn't going on the easiest of paths. However, you did understand one bit when lucy translated that you were going to do media with ona alexia and ingrid for the next hour or so.

"Media really this isn't going to go well, why not someone else" you asked begging to be swapped "no can do, you're the one with all the hype around you the club has to capitalise of it" alexia said putting her arm around your shoulders and dragging you to the media room. You and alexia had been set with the first set of press while ingrid and ona did interviews then yous would swap."bon dia alexia y y/n tengo algunas preguntas sobre el juego" the man continued alexia waited till he was finished when she translated the conversation to you "he said he had a few questions about the game" she whispered to you. The man had asked you how you felt with all the media stories and before you started you decided to make the conversation potentially easier "ermm no hablo espanol sorry i haven't gotten round to mastering the spanish language but i think the media can be positive influencing to motivate me but too much of it can be pressuring especially the ones bringing in national teams" you responded trying to be as professional as possible. After 15 minutes later of questions you and alexia were promptly moved out of the room and to interviews you were each given a list of places to go to luckily yours had been to the English media where alexia had the spanish media. The interviews went okay there was a few questions which were definitely different than usual but one sparked your thoughts "so y/n how do you feel about the increasing number of comments on your post of people commenting on your looks" the reporter asked "if im being honest i haven't looked at the comments but i am 16 so depending on the nature of the comment would depend my response as im open to compliments but i dont think its appropriate to sexualise a teenager or any player as a matter of fact i want to be known for being a good player not for looking good" you replied.

As soon as the media had ended you clicked on your recent post and went straight to the comment section and god it was not a sight you wanted to see it was a mixture of positive comments some wierd over sexulising remark or a hate comment about how you didn't deserve to play on the team or you only played because it would bring attention to the club. You wished you never opened them as a swirling pit of guilt formed were you just there to bring attention to the club? Did you deserve to even be at Barcelona? The thoughts clung to you like a dark web clouding your mind and it was showing. Training followed and you were playing sloppy missing easy tackles and making bad passes this just made your thoughts spiral so when yous were instructed to take a break it was alexia who decided to ask what was wrong as she could tell not just by your preformance but by the way your eyes were dulled and your eyebrows ever so slightly knitted together she knew something was bothering you.

"Hey pequeña what wrong your not playing like you normally do whats on your mind" she said looking at you the minute she asked this tears welled in your eyes it was pathetic you thought to yourself "i.. erm i dont know i guess i just paid too much attention to what everyone was saying and its not very nice" you said dropping your head in defeat "oh come here, do not believe what they say okay whatever it is its wrong i promise you" she said wrapping you in a hug as you pulled back you grabbed your phone out of your bag and showed alexia the comments and the dms of people "trust me y/n they're wrong you are good enough to play for this team and ignore those creeps because unfortunately we cant do much to make it stop but we can move on as if they never existed" she said standing back up to train again. And yet again alexia knew what to tell you how to remove that cloud that sat in your thoughts weighing you down you now just felt lighter.

Alexia had become a solution to your problems one you could rely on. One who cared for you it was unusual but nice the last time you had felt this loved by a person was your foster family back in London who looked after you while you were at arsenal. She had drove yous home and had began to cook dinner for both of you when she casually slipped into conversation "you know jona is thinking about starting you next game due to lucy and jana being injured" "what, you're joking right" you responded "no no of course not but you need to put in the work tomorrow to make sure he will" she replied as she put the pasta on the boil. You had ate your dinner together and watched tv before going to sleep and the thought of starting lingered in your head it was like you had gone to sleep with a smile on your face at the thought of starting.

[maiteo]

maimai I love when you bless us with your thoughts and knowledge 🤭🤓 so if you have time later can you make some predictions for this season?

who's winning the prem? arsenal? 👀 and serie a? you think juve has a chance or it's too late? the ucl and europa league?

love you xx 🥰

not maimai im beaming🥹 my face hurts, I love YOU💗 I think this is gonna be long. I feel like guessing the winners of any league is tough rn it seems so sporadic atm…which is fun…. if it benefits my clubs🤭

but! the prem… obviously I wanna say arsenal especially given how they’ve been playing and the squad’s mentality…but I’ve been here before yk? I’ve seen this film before😭 and in order to stay sane & not get my hopes up I’ve refused believe the league is ours until the very end of the season. I feel like if not us then citeh… :/ or maybe an even bigger surprise..maybe someone else will sneak up top. it’s been a wild season so far tbh…we shall see ig..

now serie a…my optimism can be a lil annoying when it comes to my faves succeeding ik🤭 that being said… I feel like the wc break affected every team in different ways and not everyone has found their footing yet…opening things up a bit. obvs napoli is on top w a 7 point gap(?) but the numbers following them aren’t that far off like Juve & Milan are tied for third (lovers quarrel👁️) I think there’s gonna be some slip ups tbh like today Milan couldn’t hold off Torino… don’t think it’s too late at all for Juve to climb the table tbh..which is wild now that i think about it lmaooo not to start rambling but all the credit goes to players, not baldllegri. I think their drive & their love for their club/each other kinda powered them up & that was evident just before the wc break. plus the youngsters are getting their chances AND Fede’s back? like i said it’s not safe when he’s around just look at how his presence impacts the game & everyone else feeds off of that like!!!

UCL is tough for the same reasons like the wc right in the middle was goofy😭 the transfer window is another reason why I think it’s opened up like these clubs that are still in it are at risk of either losing promising players or some will be lucky to gain a few. but my bias is screaming porto even tho im still shocked they made it to the knockouts ansjsks. but I did say a few months ago that it was time for a team not in ingland/ethpaña to win and I’m still standing by that! I feel like it’s gonna come down to which team i hate least…im a lil scared ngl let’s get rid of citeh, spuds, & inter then we’ll talk!

europa…erm.. lmaoo the lineup is wild and I feel like it can literally go in any direction. obvs I want MAI teams to be in contention for the trophy but I absolutely hate some of the teams there and the thought of having to play them makes me queasy. I also feel like a lot of the “underdogs” can pull off some upsets too especially given how congested some of the games are for teams in certain leagues. like I can imagine teams like Betis & PSV doing so. of course I want my teams to not get battered but then I’m like….I want them to focus on our leagues too yk? esp bc im always worried about fitness, player availability..all that lol i think I’ll have a definite answer when it starts back up again

im hoping this is legible beloved lmao lmk YOUR thoughts!!🫶🏽🎤