Bompastor needed to do 'research' on Guarinopublished at 17:46 GMT 9 January
17:46 GMT 9 January
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says she has done "a lot of enquiring" about West Ham United's new head coach Rita Guarino before their fixture on Sunday afternoon (12:00 GMT).
The Blues will be hoping to take all three points against the Hammers, who are currently sat just two points above bottom side Liverpool, in their fifth London derby of the season.
However it is hard to know what to expect from Guarino, who was appointed last month following Rehanne Skinner's sacking, due to this being her first managerial job outside of Italy.
"I've never faced her before so we've had to do a lot of enquiring about what she was doing at her previous club," Bompastor told BBC Sport. "It was important for us to research this in order to prepare for the game in the best way possible.
"But it has been about finding a balance between focusing on them and also focusing on ourselves. We are playing at home and we know our goals, so we want to go into the game making sure we play at our best level.
"We have to respect our opposition because it is a London derby and we know they need some points, so they will be coming here with a lot of motivation.
"We never take anything for granted. We will be really focused on the game and focused on its importance for us."
Liverpool sign Norway forward Josendalpublished at 16:51 GMT 9 January
16:51 GMT 9 January
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Liverpool FC
Image caption,
Anna Josendal will wear the No.21 shirt at Liverpool
Liverpool have signed Norway forward Anna Josendal from Swedish top-flight side Hammarby IF for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old signed her first senior contract with Avaldsnes IL in July 2017, before completing a move to Rosenborg in August 2021, and eventually joining Hammarby IF on a two-and-a-half year contract in December 2023.
Josendal's most successful season came in 2022-23 for Rosenborg, when she lifted the Norwegian Cup and was named Toppserien player of the year after contributing 17 goal involvements across 24 league games.
She is also a full Norway international, having represented the country at five different youth levels before making her senior debut in June 2022.
"It feels amazing to be here," said Josendal. "This has been my dream since I was a little kid. Liverpool has always been my favourite team and my whole family supports them as well, so it is big for me.
"To play for this shirt is going to be so special, so I can't wait to get started."
Josendal arrives as Gareth Taylor's third signing in January, following the arrivals of Alice Bergstrom and Jennifer Falk.
Speaking in his pre-match news conference, Taylor admitted the challenges of bringing players in at the moment: "It is a difficult sell when you are at the bottom of the Women's Super League, albeit currently.
"But we don't want to be in that place and that's why we need these quality players coming through the door."
'Emotional' Spurs return for Leicester's Neville published at 16:09 GMT 9 January
16:09 GMT 9 January
Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Ashleigh Neville spent almost a decade at Tottenham
It will be an "emotional" return to Tottenham for new Leicester signing Ashleigh Neville, admits manager Rick Passmoor.
Neville joined Leicester from Spurs this month having spent almost a decade with the north London club.
It is an immediate return for Neville with Leicester due to face Tottenham in back-to-back games in the WSL and Women's FA Cup less than a week after her transfer.
"We know this game brings lots of emotions to the fore - two games against your old club straight away after a long-term history there," said Passmoor.
"We're there for her. Behind the scenes, we're there for the players. It's important we touch-in with Ash over these next few weeks."
The 32-year-old was part of the Spurs squad when they first joined WSL 2 in 2017-18 and helped them gain promotion to the top tier in 2019.
The wing-back also started Tottenham's first women's major final when they were runners-up to Manchester United in the 2024 FA Cup.
She made a total of 191 appearances for Tottenham and will be celebrated at full-time by supporters following Sunday's match (12:00 GMT).
Langley joins London City as assistant coachpublished at 15:26 GMT 9 January
15:26 GMT 9 January
Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
Image source, Nina Farooqi
Image caption,
Becky Langley spent six years as Newcastle United manager
London City Lionesses have appointed former Newcastle manager Becky Langley as assistant coach.
Langley, who spent six years in charge of Newcastle, will support new manager Eder Maestre following his appointment earlier this month.
She oversaw back-to-back promotions at Newcastle, guiding them from the fourth tier to the second tier and began an era of professionalism there.
"I'm delighted to be here and can't wait to get going. I think the project has no ceiling here," said Langley.
"Having an owner who is so ambitious for success at London City and in women's football is really exciting.
"The talent we have in this squad [meant] it was a no brainer for me to join. My role is to support Eder and to push us to be one of the best teams in the WSL."
Everton sign Man Utd defender Blundell on loanpublished at 15:20 GMT 9 January
15:20 GMT 9 January
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Hannah Blundell has only played 74 minutes in the Women's Super League this season
Everton have signed Manchester United full-back Hannah Blundell on loan until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old, who is a four-time Women's Super League champion and three-time FA Cup winner, arrives as Brian Sorensen's first signing in January.
Blundell has plenty of experience in England's top-flight, having graduated from Chelsea's academy and representing the Blues for eight years before joining Manchester United in July 2021.
"I am really excited. I can't wait to get going. Goodison Park is fantastic. Every time I have played against Everton, you can hear the fans," said Blundell.
"They are always brilliant, I cannot wait to have them on my side and hopefully give them some excitement. Everton have got an amazing history.
"The first conversation I had with Brian [Sorensen] got me really excited to join the club. He is definitely one of the reasons I did. Both of our ambitions aligned."
Everton are currently 10th in the WSL table - five points clear of bottom side Liverpool - and they travel to face league leaders Manchester City on Sunday (12:00 GMT).
Villa 'in a better place' a year into Arroyo's tenurepublished at 11:55 GMT 9 January
11:55 GMT 9 January
Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Natalia Arroyo was previously manager at Real Sociedad
Natalia Arroyo says Aston Villa are "in a better place" than when she first arrived at the club as she reflects on almost a year in charge.
Villa were in a relegation battle in her first few months but they now sit eighth in the table with three wins and four draws from 11 WSL matches this season.
Spaniard Arroyo used the winter break to "refect on the dreams" she had when she was appointed in January 2025 - and believes they are on course to achieve them.
"We are definitely building this. There is a lot of things we're learning in the process like how to keep stable emotionally and to be consistent," said Arroyo.
"That was hard at the beginning because of the results and the tension of relegation. It's something every manager needs to learn. It was about staying steady.
"I'm still growing, asking for help and reading up on stuff. The club is really investing in the squad and we have bigger plans. We are building for the future.
"Now we need to grow our style. There is still a lot to do but in the big picture, we are in a better place than when I first arrived."
Image source, Getty Images
