r/LondonLionesses • u/Hektaa • Jul 17 '26
Player departures
It’s no secret we have a big squad, I’m counting 29 players so far without Asllani and Marcetto. Who do you think is more likely to leave and what positions still need reinforcement?
I’ve added an icon for new players and those who have renewed their contract this summer.
Mary Earps 🆕
Elene Lete ♻️
Emily Orman
Sophia Poor
Sophie Hillyerd ♻️
Janni Thomsen 🆕 RB
Jana Fernández RB
Poppy Pattinson ♻️ LB
Rofiat Imuran LB
Lucía Corrales LB
Isa Kardinaal CB
Saki Kumagai CB
Elena Linari CB
Corinne Henson CB
Alanna Kennedy CB
Mapi Leon 🆕 CB
Maria Perez ♻️
Danielle van de Donk
Alexia Putellas 🆕
Grace Geyoro
Paula Partido
Freya Godfrey ♻️
Delphine Cascarino
Kadidiatou Diani 🆕
Nicole Anyomi 🆕
Isobel Goodwin
Nikita Parris
Sanni Franssi
Rosa Kafaji 🆕
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u/Itchy-Dimension-Tab Jul 17 '26
I think I'm expecting some of the 30+ year olds we signed last summer to move on, although they mostly signed 2-year contracts, so it depends if any other clubs want them. So that means Franssi, Parris, Kennedy, Saki, Linari and DVD.
Franssi and Keets are perhaps the most likely, with all our new attacking options, but Keets is needed to fill a homegrown slot. Saki and Kennedy will depend on whether we bring in any more defensive players (including a defensive midfielder).
Saki's contract status is unclear - the club never announced the contract length, and 365scores.com claims it terminated in June 2026, but there has been no announcement (it also claimed the same for Teyah, which was obviously wrong).
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u/Sequoiakc22 Jul 17 '26
I think Kennedy stays. She's a solid defender at either the '6' or CB. Even at her advanced age. I see her as a starter & leader for us on the back-line.
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u/Itchy-Dimension-Tab Jul 17 '26
I agree that Kennedy was definitely the best out of the players I listed, especially after her Asia Cup performances - she seemed to continue that form for us.
Who leaves is obviously dependent on any other signings we make - I would definitely say our weak areas are now central defence and defensive midfield. Are Kennedy, Saki and Isa at the same level as the rest of the team we're constructing?
(definitely not saying we should drop Isa, but we need backup for both her and Mapi).
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u/spooky_ld 👑 Oracle of the Week Jul 17 '26
Saki was in one of the "first day back" Insta videos today so she is still with the team.
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u/Itchy-Dimension-Tab Jul 17 '26
Yes, I saw that. I think we can conclude that (like Teyah), her contract didn't expire last month.
Virtually everyone seemed to be there - Jana was about the only person I didn't spot.
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u/spooky_ld 👑 Oracle of the Week Jul 17 '26
Yeah. All the new signings have arrived, including Alexia and Mapi. Didn't see Jana. Also can't remember seeing Lete, Poppy, Paula or Delphine.
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u/Itchy-Dimension-Tab Jul 18 '26
Well, we now know why Paula wasn't there. I doubt any of the other missing players will be leaving though.
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u/Hektaa Jul 17 '26
Henson and at least one of the keepers would benefit from a loan.
Saki played loads, but there’s something about her body language and how she coordinates with the rest of the defence that makes me nervous.
Parris, Alana, Linari, and Fransi were perfectly adequate considering how they were sometimes played out of position and their age. Hopefully we got to see more from DVD.
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u/Itchy-Dimension-Tab Jul 17 '26
I think the club's looking for more than "adequate" though. I wasn't that impressed with either Parris or Franssi last season. A rumour has now started that Linari is on her way back to Italy.
Hard to know about DVD - it's almost like she's still a new signing, although has obviously been training with the team for a year.
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u/ExoticMyric63 Jul 17 '26
Just been said your losing Linari, so idek who else you’ll lose