Annabel Blanchard on final day drama, biggest inspirations, Crystal Palace's ambitions episode artwork

EPISODE · May 15, 2026 · 39 MIN

Annabel Blanchard on final day drama, biggest inspirations, Crystal Palace's ambitions

from Crossways - A Women’s Football Show With Steph Houghton and Ian Wright · host The Ringer

Ian Wright and Steph Houghton welcome Crystal Palace's Annabel Blanchard into the studio to chat all things relegation, promotion, and ambition. Annabel talks our hosts through her career, playing against her brothers from a young age, to playing against the best in the world in the WSL. She relives Crystal Palace's dramatic season as they clinched promotion on the final day, and discusses the club's ambitions to become a main stay in the top flight. Annabel speaks about her own evolution as a player, and biggest dream to one day play for the Lionesses. Finally some quickfire questions - which teammate should we keep our eye on next season, and who is the toughest opponent Annabel has faced? 00:00 Welcome 00:44 Promotion 03:10 Growing up 09:55 Relegation & Pressure 17:20 Culture and change at Crystal Palace 19:30 Playing against the best 21:15 Ambitions and reaching 100 27:05 Difference between WSL and WSL2 29:55 Outside of football 33:30 Quick fire questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ian Wright and Steph Houghton welcome Crystal Palace's Annabel Blanchard into the studio to chat all things relegation, promotion, and ambition. Annabel talks our hosts through her career, playing against her brothers from a young age, to playing against the best in the world in the WSL. She relives Crystal Palace's dramatic season as they clinched promotion on the final day, and discusses the club's ambitions to become a main stay in the top flight. Annabel speaks about her own evolution as a player, and biggest dream to one day play for the Lionesses. Finally some quickfire questions - which teammate should we keep our eye on next season, and who is the toughest opponent Annabel has faced? 00:00 Welcome 00:44 Promotion 03:10 Growing up 09:55 Relegation & Pressure 17:20 Culture and change at Crystal Palace 19:30 Playing against the best 21:15 Ambitions and reaching 100 27:05 Difference between WSL and WSL2 29:55 Outside of football 33:30 Quick fire questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Annabel Blanchard on final day drama, biggest inspirations, Crystal Palace's ambitions

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This episode is 39 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 15, 2026.

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Ian Wright and Steph Houghton welcome Crystal Palace's Annabel Blanchard into the studio to chat all things relegation, promotion, and ambition. Annabel talks our hosts through her career, playing against her brothers from a young age, to playing...

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