Spain international Jana Fernandez admitted she still misses Alexia Putellas “every single day” after leaving Barcelona last summer to join London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League. In an exclusive interview, Fernandez described the friendship with the two-time Ballon d’Or winner as the emotional glue holding her abroad — a bond she called “irreplaceable.”
Fernandez, 26, joined the Lionesses in August from Barcelona Femení, where she and Putellas trained daily, roomed together, and travelled as teammates for five seasons. “When I left, I told her I didn’t want to lose our connection,” Fernandez said. “She’s the first person I call when I wake up, and the last before I sleep. I’d love her to be here now — she’d be laughing at how hard the training in London is.”
Key Points
- ✅ Fernandez and Putellas lived together for 24 months in Barcelona
- ⚡ Putellas remains Fernandez’s emotional anchor after her move to London
- 💡 Fernandez calls their connection “irreplaceable” amid WSL adaptation
Adapting to the WSL’s physicality has been the steepest challenge. “When I first trained here, I thought the ball was moving in slow motion,” Fernandez laughed. “The contact is so much quicker, so much stronger. My legs were sore for a week.” London City’s staff eased the transition with tailored strength programs and video sessions breaking down the differences between Spain’s Primera División and England’s top flight.
💡 Pro Tip
Fernandez advises all international players relocating to the WSL to prioritize strength training in the off-season to handle the league’s physical demands.
Off the pitch, Fernandez has found kinship with teammates like Sam Kerr and Rachel Daly, who have helped her navigate London’s lifestyle. “They’re the ones who showed me where to get the best churros,” she said. “Alexia would have loved them too.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 5 — Seasons Fernandez spent as Putellas’s teammate and flatmate
- £1.8m — Estimated transfer fee paid by London City for Fernandez in 2024
The Lionesses face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals next month in a match Fernandez said will feel “strange” but “special.” “I’ll wear the Lionesses shirt with pride,” she said. “But part of me will always belong to Barcelona.”
| Aspect | Barcelona Femení | London City Lionesses |
|---|---|---|
| Training intensity | Technical focus, lower contact | High contact, physical strength |
| Lifestyle support | Team meals, local routines | Personalised fitness, city navigation |
| Teammate bond | Long-term flat-sharing | New friendships, language barriers |
Fernandez will return to Barcelona next week to reunite with Putellas before the Champions League tie. “She’ll be the one shouting at me to do extra reps,” Fernandez said. “I’ll smile and tell her I already did.”
- First — Fernandez and Putellas lived together for two years in Barcelona
- Second — Fernandez moved to London City in August 2024 for £1.8m
- Third — Lionesses face Barcelona in Champions League quarter-finals next month
