By Ben Tattoo (16/12/25)
Above: Leicester’s team talk before the London City Lionesses game this weekend Photo: LCFC_Women on X
Ben Tattoo interviews Charli Parkes, host of the ‘Why Always She’ Podcast, ahead of the January transfer window, to discuss Leicester City’s season so far and how the rest of the campaign could shape up.
Hi Charli, thank you for joining us. What is your history as a Leicester fan?
In 2023 my husband and I decided we wanted to watch more women’s football, and Leicester are our closest WSL team, so we chose them. I didn’t think that I would get into it as much as I have, but I love it. My husband and I started a podcast called ‘Why Always She’ where we talk about it, and I’ve been on Leicester radio to talk about the team.
Rick Passmoor took over from Amandine Miquel close to the start of the season, were you surprised?
Yeah, I was really surprised. We’d got our highest points tally ever under Miquel and there weren’t any hints that things would change. But when the new director of football came in, he did a review of everything at the club, and I guess they decided she wasn’t up to scratch. I wouldn’t have changed things. You can’t fault his commitment, though, apparently he comes to every game.
What did you think of the club’s business in the summer?
It was a strange one, because three players were signed under Miquel and then three players came in under Passmoor. Olivia McLoughlin has been really good, I remember seeing her play for England Under 23’s. She’s come into our midfield and has barely missed a minute. I rate Van Egmond too; she has struggled in some games but has generally been good. (Heather) Payne added some depth at the back but now she is injured. (Celeste) Boureille was signed by Miquel, and she’s looked solid, but she’s also had some injuries.
It felt like some important players left last season, Yuka Momiki and Sophie Howard in particular?
Losing Momiki was not great, but the biggest loss in my opinion was Sophie Howard. She was an absolute colossus for us and a really important leader. Losing Ruby Mace was obviously disappointing, but she’s such a good player, she was going to move on eventually, and we got a really good fee for her.
How do you feel about the season so far?
I think we’re in a bit of a rut, though I think we still have more points than this time last season when we were really struggling with injuries. We seem to be able to beat anybody away in the League Cup, but can’t do it in the league! My husband and I joke about how suffering is a big part of being a football fan! It makes the good times even better. However, I think it’s a tight league, and anyone can beat anyone, as Everton showed recently, so we’ll see how things go.
Where do you think the team needs to strengthen in January?
Playing a back three, we are really reliant on our wing backs. Asmita Ale has been immense down the left, if we could clone her that would be great! Down the right we’ve struggled a lot more. Janice Cayman has been tried there. She is a stalwart and I’d like to get her in the team, but she’s 37 and can’t bomb up and down the flanks. Hannah Cain has struggled in that position too. So we definitely need to invest in that area.
Do you think Leicester will do a lot of business?
We were linked on deadline day with Lucy Parry at Liverpool, and I think she would be good, she hasn’t been getting many minutes but has come in recently due to injuries, and I don’t think Gareth Taylor wants to let anyone go with the thinness of their squad at the moment.
The club are the second lowest scorers in the league; do you think they need to add to the forward line?
Every season I feel like we’re crying out for a striker! One of the interesting things about our system though is our use of a front two. Noémie Mouchon has felt like the answer at times, but the club have been wrapping her up in wool after her injury last season. Shannon O’Brien works really hard and is always trying to get in behind (defences). Jutta Rantala was looking good, but she’s now out for the season again, which is gutting. Rosella Ayane came from Spurs, I think she was a bit maligned there, but I think she’s looked decent coming off the bench.
If you could bring any player to the club. Who would it be?
I love Stina Blackstenius, she’s so quick and she would play great in a front two so would suit our system perfectly. My personal preference is that football should be about getting the ball forward quickly, and I’d love us to get the ball forwards quickly to Stina and she’d score loads of goals!
Any transfer predictions for the rest of the WSL?
I think Trinity Rodman will go to Chelsea, they seem to like their American wonderkids. Arsenal will and need to strengthen. Gareth Taylor has been making a lot of noise about needing recruitment at Liverpool, and I think Manchester United need to invest too. Everton spent big in the summer, and I’m not sure they’ll spend more. London City already have a gigantic squad, but I can see them investing in more.
How do you think the rest of the season will go? What position are you hoping for?
I’d take just staying up be honest (laughs)! We came 10th last season for the second season in a row, and then had another reset! So we’ll go again in the summer (hopefully!) and see where we go from there.
This is the first in a series of 12 articles covering all teams in the WSL, keep your eyes open for more coming in the next few days.
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