Cushing pays tribute to ‘incredible’ Aleixandri | OneFootball

Nick Cushing has described Laia Aleixandri as an incredible person after it was confirmed the defender will leave the Club at the end of her current contract.

The Spain international’s departure was announced after the final whistle, with the defender receiving an excellent reception from the supporters and flowers from captain Alex Greenwood.

She leaves the Joie Stadium having made 88 appearances across three seasons, being named in the WSL Team of the Year for 2023/24 as well.

Cushing is confident the Club will bounce back next season without Aleixandri, but paid tribute to the defender for her efforts during his time in charge.

“I’ve watched the team from afar over the last few years and Laia’s been a really important player,” he said.

“Since I’ve been here, she’s been an incredible person and professional and obviously a high quality player.

“She’s bene part of City, Atletico and will probably go on I imagine to another team who challenges for trophies.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with her but it’s the nature of the game, we’ve seen big players move on and replaced them with the next important player and we have to do that again.

“That’s the objective for us, this club. We’ll replace her but she’ll be missed, she’s an incredible person.”

WATCH: Cushing happy with second-half City performance

City have ended the 2024/25 campaign on a high note, but attentions will now turn to our involvement in the inaugural World Sevens Tournament at the end of May.

The Blues are one of eight teams competing in the seven-a-side tournament taking place in Portugal from 21-23 May.

And Cushing says, after a well-earned rest, the players’ training will be adapted ready for the demands of the tournament.

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He added: “There’ll be a couple of days off to rest and recover for the players and staff, then we’ll be in next week to prepare for the sevens.

“Practice and training will reflect that, with smaller numbers and smaller spaces.

“I think everyone in that tournament is going in it to win it.

“There’s a prize at the end of it but also a competition. The training will reflect the competition and that’ll be important to us."