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## Annabel Blanchard

> Blanchard joined Palace in 2022 off the back of a remarkable season with Blackburn Rovers in which she earned both Coaches' and Supporters' Player of the Season, and has since grown into one of English football's most exciting playmakers.

Blanchard is a young, two-footed forward capable of playing across the front line or, more regularly, as a No. 10.

Blanchard began her career aged just 16 with Liverpool, but started her time with the England youth setup the year before, and has represented the national side from Under-17-Under-19 levels.

After leaving Liverpool she joined Leicester City and then Blackburn Rovers, with whom she finished joint-top goalscorer in 21/22.

Blanchard then joined Palace in the summer of 2022 and made a strong start in South London, with four goals in 22 Championship appearances in her maiden campaign.

In 2023/24, Blanchard's brilliance shone as Palace Women claimed promotion from the Championship, the forward scoring 11 times in just 19 league games including clinical hat-tricks against both Durham and London City Lionesses.

Such form led to Blanchard not only winning both the Championship Goal and Player of the Month awards in September – as well as a nomination for the latter for November – but also the club's Player of the Month awards for October and March to boot.

At the start of Palace's first-ever top-flight season, Blanchard became our inaugural Women's Super League goalscorer, netting a brace in our first win against Leicester City – 2-0 at the King Power Stadium – in October 2024.

September 2023

Championship Player of the Month

Championship Goal of the Month

Blackburn Rovers, 2021/22

Coaches' Player of the Season

Supporters' Player of the Season

February 2023, October 2023, April 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

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All three players will remain part of the squad as the Eagles prepare for the upcoming Barclays Women’s Super League 2 campaign.

**Josie Green** was a composed and influential figure in defence last season, making 19 appearances across all competitions and wearing the captain’s armband on several occasions during Palace’s debut top-flight campaign.

**Chloe Arthur**, a reliable presence in midfield, played a key role in Palace’s Championship-winning season, and added a further eight appearances to her tally during the 2024/25 WSL season.

**Isabella Sibley** spent last season on loan with Newcastle United, where she gained valuable match minutes. She played six times in Palace's promotion-winning campaign of 2023/24.

Crystal Palace are delighted to retain the trio and look forward to their continued contributions in red and blue next season.

Crystal Palace Women has exercised options to extend the contracts of Josie Green, Chloe Arthur, and Isabella Sibley for an additional year, ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Contract options triggered for Palace Women trio 

EXPLORE PALACE WOMEN

### Republic of Ireland

**Abbie Larkin**

It was a very successful international break for Abbie Larkin, as Ireland managed to win their final two Nations League games in League B.

She first started in Ireland's comeback win in Istanbul, with Emily Murphy's late winner sealing an impressive 2-1 victory away from home.

Larkin played 60 minutes on the right-wing before being replaced by Saoirse Noonan.

She then started on the left-wing against Slovenia and played 80 minutes, with Noonan's goal in the 19th minute earning Ireland a 1-0 win in Cork.

Because Slovenia ended with a superior head-to-head record, Ireland finished second in Group 2 and will not be automatically promoted.

Instead, Carla Ward's team will face a third-placed team from the top tier in a play-off to compete for a place in League A.

### **Finland**

**Ria Öling** **& Milla-Maj Majasaari**

Despite a win and a draw in the Nations League, Finland missed an opportunity for automatic promotion to League A.

It was a great start for Ria Öling and Finland, as the Boreal Owls first beat Belarus 3-0 in Hungary.

Öling started and laid on an assist for Sanni Franssi's goal in the eighth minute, as Finland proved too much for their League B opponents.

Milla-Maj Majasaari was an unused substitute in both games, but Öling started again in the 1-1 draw against Serbia, before being replaced in the 66th minute. 

Finland needed a win against Serbia to gain automatic qualification to League A, but like Ireland, they will now have to win their playoff game in October to compete in League A next season.

### Wales

**Josie Green, Elise Hughes & Lily Woodham**

Wales ended their Nations League campaign with two defeats, losing first to Denmark and then to Italy.

The 1-0 defeat to Denmark in Odense confirmed their relegation from League A in the Nations League.

The Dragons then hosted Italy in Swansea for their final game of the competition, and were defeated 4-1 by Le Azzurre. 

Josie Green, Elise Hughes and Lily Woodham started against Denmark, with Pernille Harder's goal proving the difference between the sides.

Green and Woodham also started against Italy, with Hughes entering the field in the 46th minute as Rhian Wilkinson looked to her bench to make a difference.

Despite the Nations League disappointment, Wales will have Euro 2025 to look forward to in July, as the Dragons participate in the competition for the first time in their history.

### **Denmark**

**Katrine Veje & Mille Gejl**

Denmark had a mixed end to their Nations League campaign, first beating Wales in Odense before then losing heavily to Sweden in the final game.

Their 1-0 win over Wales secured their place in League A of the Nations League and also gave them a chance to finish top of their group.

De Rød-Hvide did not take their chance however, as they went on to lose 6-1 in Stockholm.

Katrine Veje managed to start in both games and keep a clean sheet against Wales.

Mille Gejl entered the field late on against Wales but was not brought on against Sweden.

Like Wales, Denmark's focus will now turn to preparations for Euro 2025.

### **Jamaica**

**Allyson Swaby**

Wednesday 4th June saw Jamaica travel to Energizer Park in St Louis, Missouri, for a friendly against Emma Hayes' USA.

Swaby started in what was a 4-0 defeat to the four-time World Cup winners, with Ally Sentnor and Lynn Biyendolo each scoring a brace.

The Reggae Girlz will next travel to Leicester for a friendly against England at the King Power Stadium on the 29th June.

*Photos courtesy of FA Wales and FA Ireland.*

June brought a dramatic end to the UEFA Nations League group stage, with Ireland and Finland reaching the play-offs for League A, Wales being relegated from the top tier, and Denmark securing their League A status. Meanwhile, Allyson Swaby’s Jamaica took on the USA in Missouri.

June Internationals: Larkin's Ireland end their Nations League campaign in style

Our Under-12 and Under-14 squads competed in their respective JPL (Junior Premier League) Warriors leagues this season, complemented by cup competitions and additional friendlies designed to stretch and challenge them throughout the year.

The U14s retained their Surrey County Cup title and showed excellent development in the PGA Peer 2 Peer Tournament, delivering standout performances against other WSL academy sides.

To further test our players, the Under-16s stepped up to compete in the Under-18 JPL Warriors League, finishing the season strongly with a semi-final appearance in the PGA Peer 2 Peer Tournament.

Both the U16s and Under-21s participated in the PGA Cup and Plate competitions, with the U21s also making their debut in the U21 PGA League.

Notable results across the season included wins against Liverpool and Bristol City, while several players gained valuable senior experience through dual-registration spells at Tier 3, 4, and 5 clubs.

Across the pathway, we’ve seen success with international recognition, including players being identified for the England Talent Pathway at various age groups, and exciting potential for international honours with the Republic of Ireland.

In the Academy, a number of U21 players had the opportunity to travel to Utah with the first team last summer, and three were named on the bench during our WSL home fixture against Aston Villa in March.

As always, the end of the season has brought about some change, with some players moving on, and the arrival of new faces across the age groups.

Palace Women would like to extend our thanks to the Academy staff, the players, and their families for their continued dedication and support this season.

The 2024/25 season marked a major milestone for Crystal Palace Women’s Academy, as we operated for the first time under our newly awarded Category 1 PGA licence. 

Announcement

Announcement

Contract options triggered for Palace Women trio

Latest News

June Internationals: Larkin's Ireland end their Nations League campaign in style

Women's Academy: End of season review

10Annabel
Blanchard

Announcement

Announcement

Contract options triggered for Palace Women trio

Latest News

June Internationals: Larkin's Ireland end their Nations League campaign in style

Women's Academy: End of season review

10AnnabelBlanchard

10Annabel
Blanchard