One of four first-team shot-stoppers in Gareth Taylor’s side, including teenager Khiara Keating, Taieb has featured in every minute of our nine games in 2021/22, deputising in the absence of the injured Karen Bardsley and Ellie Roebuck.
While the battle for the starting spot between the sticks is the most competitive, Taieb asserts she and her teammates share a healthy and positive relationship, driving each other to perform to the best of their ability and supporting each other in their efforts.
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The French ‘keeper highlights that balance of professionalism and comradeship as one of her favourite aspects of City life.
“In this Club, what I love is that we work – everyone works and gives the best of themselves – but at the same time, the atmosphere is very relaxed,” she reflected. “That is also the strength of City.
“Everybody works hard as individuals, giving their best, but within a friendly and good working environment, which gives us the drive to be better.
“We work so well together. I’ve been here for two years now and I’m enjoying working with them all.
“It’s a real pleasure to work every day with them. I’ve worked more with Ellie because unfortunately, Karen Bardsley has been injured but every day, we motivate each other and push each other to do better and stay focused.
“It’s great. It’s very competitive. They are all very good goalkeepers and it’s a good combination – we push each other to be better all the time and that’s good for us all.
“It means that when you play, you feel comfortable and confident, especially because you know you have the support of your teammates.
“They drive me to become better every day – to work harder. We always have to be at 100% and in terms of facilities, City provides everything we need to work. I am benefitting from all of this.
“That’s so important for goalkeepers.”
An experienced figure as the last line of defence, Taieb also takes pride in witnessing the development of young goalkeepers, as they look to reach their full potential.
Roebuck, who turned 22 last month, claimed the 2019/20 Golden Glove and earned a nomination in the prestigious six-strong shortlist for the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award, while 17-year-old Keating is gaining valuable experience on loan at FC Fylde, as well as in Taylor’s matchday squad as substitute goalkeeper.
Having witnessed the rapid growth of her fellow shot-stoppers over the past two seasons, Taieb tipped Roebuck for great things and is pleased to see Keating thriving from the first-team exposure she is soaking up at such a young age.
“Ellie is a very good goalkeeper – one of the best in the world,” she stated.
“She’s very young and she can still improve a lot. She can win a lot of Golden Gloves and prizes in her career.
“I’m so happy to work with her. I push myself to be better and to learn, and we learn every day.
“It’s good to be with her and it’s good to see young goalkeepers doing well.
“Khiara came last year and you can see she has improved a lot. I’m so happy because it’s so good to see her reach those levels in training.
“She deserves it and it’s very nice to see.”
WOMEN’S FA CUP | CITY v CHELSEA TICKETS
City return to domestic action with a mouth-watering Women’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea on Sunday 31 October.
It’s a 12:45pm kick-off at the Academy Stadium and tickets for all home games are now on sale.
