Soccer
Alexia Putellas craving London City boost before beans on toast after Barca exit
Former Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas believes her move to London City Lionesses will make her a more “complete” player – but she has yet to sample a full English breakfast.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner signed a three-year deal with the independent club last month after announcing in May she would be leaving the Spanish giants after 14 years.
Some scratched their heads at the 32-year-old’s choice to relocate to the billionaire-backed upstart outfit after a trophy-laden spell in Spain, including last season’s quadruple, but the midfielder is perfectly content to have traded Barcelona for Bromley.
“The first conversation (with the club) was about what the club wants and how ambitious the project is,” she said.
“I want to be part of that journey, bring the experience I have and, of course, learn as a player and make me more complete. I made the move for that and just being in other positions that I’ve never been in. In my opinion, this league can give me that.”
London City are backed by Lyon president Michele Kang who, through Kynisca Sports International, her multi-club ownership group, also controls Lyon’s women’s team and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit.
Benefits to their independence include the ongoing development of a bespoke-to-women training facility, as well as more agility when it comes to decision-making and assurance of being the priority.
But London City, in just their third WSL season, are still building a fanbase. Last year, they were the only Women’s Super League side in South London, but this campaign they will have local competition in promoted sides Crystal Palace and Charlton.
WSL salary rules cap an owner’s spend at £4million per season on top of 80 per cent of their women’s team revenue. London City will hope big-name summer signings like Putellas and retired England goalkeeper Mary Earps will shift even more tickets.
Their ambition is, ultimately, a spot in the Champions League. Last season, they were three places off.
But Putellas said: “I don’t have expectations. I just want the hard work we are doing during this pre-season, and we will do during the season, to speak for itself.
“It’s a hard competition, as you know. I have a competitive mind and I want to win every game, but I don’t have expectations in this sport.
“In my opinion, you shouldn’t have expectations. Just work in the back and give everything game after game.”
The World Cup winner, whose Spain side beat England to the trophy in 2023, believes adapting to a different style of football will make her a better player as she builds up to next summer’s title defence in Brazil – UEFA boycott permitting.
She has so far enjoyed flying under the radar as she apartment-hunts and adjusts to living in England, experiencing only a few moments of culture shock.
First, the traffic. Second, Putellas adds: “(The breakfast). It’s quite different from Spain. (I didn’t try) the beans one, but the sausages and eggs. It was fine.”
