- The fly-on-the-wall documentary exhibits what life is actually like for WAGs
From lavish events and opulent holidays to huge mansions and designer garments, Premier League WAGs seem to have stepped into lives most of us might solely dream of.
However, these wives and girlfriends have insisted their lives should not as simple as they might look – as they elevate the lid in a model new fly-on-the-wall Amazon documentary referred to as ‘Married To The Game’.
Taylor Ward, the spouse of Riyadh Mahrez, and Sara Gundogan, Ilkay Gundogan‘s accomplice, have given a really sincere perception into how they actually felt when the 2 former Man City stars determined to maneuver to Saudi Arabia and Barcelona respectively.
Meanwhile, Catherine Harding, the fiancée of Arsenal star Jorginho, exhibits the wild facet of being a WAG – together with when she sends a celebration planner on a two-and-half-hour spherical journey to Watford to choose up 65kg of lemons for her celebration.
Everton defender James Tarkowski and his spouse Sam additionally star within the documentary and reveal how they hosted a three-day marriage ceremony in Provence the place they stunned their friends with none aside from singer Craig David.
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner and his spouse Ash are the ultimate couple on the documentary. Ash, who’s eight months pregnant when filming, admits that ‘life was pretty easy’ till her husband moved from the US to the Premier League.
Catherine Harding, the fiancée of Arsenal star Jorginho, despatched a celebration planner on a two-and-half-hour spherical journey to Watford to choose up 65kg of lemons for her celebration
Party planners carry a white piano as they put together for the celebration of Jorginho’s fiancee Catherine Harding
Jorginho’s fiancée, Catherine Harding (pictured), will get prepared for her celebration
Guests on the occasion had been additionally handled to a present from two Brazilian Samba dancers
Taylor Ward (pictured) discusses throwing a lavish occasion for her accomplice Riyad Mahrez when he selected to depart England to maneuver to Saudi Arabia
Cat revealed to the cameras that Jorginho could be returning two days later and teased that they had been going to spend time alone collectively and mentioned everybody must depart
Riyad Mahrez and his accomplice Taylor Ward (left) even have roles within the documentary
Ilkay Gundogan and his spouse, Sara (proper) will likely be within the present after welcoming their first youngster final yr
USA and Arsenal goalkeeper Turner and spouse Ashley welcomed their child son Easton final yr
James Tarkowski is pictured together with his spouse Samantha. They are one of many 5 {couples} on the present
Married To The Game, which was launched on Amazon at this time, has given entry to the lives of wives and girlfriends of a few of the largest stars.
Within the primary two episodes, viewers are given a glimpse of Cat Harding’s fancy celebration and Taylor Ward’s leaving bash which she threw for Mahrez when he departed City to hitch Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia final summer time.
Throughout the sequence, Ward opens up about not wanting to maneuver to Saudi Arabia – together with how difficult it was to discover a home and her shock over girl not being allowed within the lodge pool – though she does not like swimming or getting her hair moist.
Ward reveals in episode one: ‘I’ve mentioned to Riyadh from the start, the factor that scares me probably the most is him transferring overseas. I’ve all the time lived in Manchester.
‘Luckily Riyadh performs in Manchester so I’ve by no means needed to transfer away, my largest concern is having to maneuver to a distinct nation, make new mates be away from my household.’
But afterward within the episode, Mahrez’s transfer to Saudi Arabia is confirmed and Ward’s life is thrown the other way up as she plans to depart Manchester with their daughter Mila.
She explains: ‘I simply came upon the information that we’re transferring so this clearly wasn’t deliberate for. Riyadh’s already gone, me and Mila clearly nonetheless right here in Manchester in the mean time however its not going to be lengthy earlier than we transfer.
‘I suppose that is the brutal factor about soccer. There is actually no warning. There’s simply a lot to consider and I’ve not even had a minute to grasp the information by no means thoughts begin organising all the things and work out a plan going ahead.’
‘Most individuals after they transfer, they’ve deliberate to maneuver or they wish to transfer so they consider this stuff earlier than they do it however that is not the case for us it is like actually simply been thrown on me. Never thought that is the state of affairs we might be in.’
Ward may be seen holding her daughter as she packs for his or her transfer to Saudi Arabia
Ward performs along with her daughter Mila after studying that her husband Mahrez will likely be transferring to Saudi Arabia
Riyad Mahrez and Taylor Ward’s daughter was seen enjoying along with her mum’s Louis Vuitton bag
Breaking down into tears, she provides: ‘I simply really feel like everybody’s going to be all over. It’s going to be so exhausting. Life’s going to be so totally different. It’s not that I do not prefer it, I simply do not have a alternative.’
Ward later reveals that Mahrez resides in a lodge as a result of they have not discovered a brand new dwelling. ‘He did not need us to go on the market once we’re in a very small lodge room – it is too sizzling in the mean time to go exterior,’ she says.
‘And clearly we do not actually know the world. So I’m simply going to travel for a bit till we have got someplace secure to maneuver.
‘I do not suppose individuals perceive the stress of it. I feel it is rather a lot simpler for the boys than it’s for us. They transfer to Saudi, they transfer right into a soccer membership, they have mates.’
‘For me for instance you actually have to start out another time in a distinct nation or place the place you do not know anybody and it isn’t all the time simple simply to make mates and adapt.’
In episode two, she opens up about being given the information by her husband that they had been leaving her hometown of Manchester. ‘Riyadh rang me and mainly mentioned we’re transferring to Saudi which is wild,’ she mentioned.
‘When he rang me to inform me the information, it was already out within the press. Everyone knew, I had individuals texting me, even shut mates saying I am unable to consider you have not instructed me.
‘I came upon identical time as everybody else I had no thought. Literally turned my cellphone off for 2 days.
‘I am unable to inform individuals the information after I have not comprehended it myself, it was such a shock. It was so disturbing. We have not even acquired a home, I do not know the place we will be residing, I’ve by no means even been to Saudi Arabia.’
Ward additionally discusses her struggles with acclimatising to the tradition and having to decorate extra modestly.
‘No lashes, no nails, I’m going to be the most important tramp after I come dwelling you are not even going to recognise me,’ she tells mates whereas wanting spherical a marriage venue.
Ward (pictured) opens up about being given the information by her husband that they had been leaving her hometown of Manchester
‘No lashes, no nails, I’m going to be the most important tramp after I come dwelling you are not even going to recognise me,’ she tells mates whereas wanting spherical a marriage venue
Ward (centre) was within the midst of making ready for her marriage ceremony with Mahrez earlier than his switch was introduced
Ward additionally has her sister, Darby (pictured) to supply a hand with regards to babysitting and common recommendation
The British mannequin was within the midst of making ready for her marriage ceremony with Mahrez, however the winger’s shock transfer to the Middle East brought about a change of plans as she revealed how she needed to put on a separate occasion to rejoice his glad recollections in England.
While prepping for Mahrez’s leaving occasion she admits to having a ‘freak out’ after the lodge in Saudi Arabia instructed her that solely males might use the swimming pool.
She explains: ‘I had a little bit of a meltdown. It kinda simply hit me. I do know it is silly I do not even like swimming, I do not like getting my hair moist.
‘I’m not even bothered about swimming, it is simply the fact examine, you are not transferring to Spain or someplace – it is a very totally different way of life. I did not even realise when Riyadh first instructed me that you simply could not drink over there.’
Ward’s good good friend Sara Gundogan additionally opens up about discovering out she has to depart Manchester for Barcelona.
Sara, well-known in her personal proper for her work as a TV presenter in Italy, says in episode one: ‘They simply instructed me OK we’re transferring. And I used to be like OK. It occurred that fast that I did not realise.
‘Life for us is happening and then you definately simply get a name and also you get knowledgeable after one hour that you must go choose a flight and go and alter your life.’
Gundogan, who famously criticised Manchester and the standard of meals in October 2022, admitted on the present: ‘Even if individuals suppose I do not like Manchester, I do actually like Manchester.’
Ward replies: ‘Sara, I by no means thought I’d hear these phrases come out your mouth.’
Within the primary 10 minutes of the sequence, Sara is invited to a lavish occasion to rejoice the twentieth anniversary of Vogue.
She attends the occasion donning a surprising all-white costume as she posed for images, greeted Vogue Portugal’s editor-in-chief Sofia Lucas and danced the night time away to stay music.
Later within the episode, Sara is making an attempt to pack her husband’s issues as he’s already in Barcelona. The digicam pans to all of his trophies because the pair are on Facetime.
Gundogan, maybe referencing the astonishing quantity of silverware he has, tells his spouse: ‘To do that all by yourself, it isn’t simple. It’s going to be exhausting to do.’
Sara Gundogan (proper) opens up about discovering out she has to depart Manchester after her accomplice Ilkay Gundogan signed for Barcelona
Sara opened up on her glamorous life-style which included assembly Vogue Portugal’s editor-in-chief on the bash in Lisbon
Ilkay Gundogan’s spouse, Sara (pictured) poses for a photograph at Vogue’s twentieth anniversary occasion
Viewers are additionally given behind the scenes entry to the lavish home events that the footballers and their wives throw.
Jorginho’s fiancée, Cat Harding, organised a summer time backyard occasion for her husband, and pulled out all of the stops. It included a seemingly infinite provide of Moet champagne bottles, dancers carrying flamboyant outfits, a large harp, a balloon arch and 65kg of lemons to high issues off.
One of the occasion planners reveals: ‘We wanted additional lemons. So I needed to drive to Watford. That was a two-and-a-half hour spherical journey. I got here again with 65kg of lemons.’
As she acquired prepared for the massive occasion, Harding practiced a music in Italian, with Jorginho’s childhood good friend, Kique, enjoying the guitar, all whereas she was carrying a dressing robe with a towel on her head.
As she will get prepared for the occasion, she tells the cameras: ‘It does really feel prefer it’s all coming collectively I simply really feel a bit of bit underneath stress, as a result of the time’s getting shut and my hair i am speculated to be getting it performed now he is arriving any second.’
The documentary additionally provides viewers a glimpse of Mahrez’s leaving do – which he mentioned all his teammates had been going to attend.
‘We’ve determined to throw him an enormous leaving occasion simply to rejoice all the great instances, get everybody collectively for one final large occasion, and simply get pleasure from it as a result of they have a lot to rejoice as a group, and I feel it is good that he will get to say goodbye correctly to all his team-mates,’ Ward explains.
The occasion planners mentioned they had been spending ’20 hours a day’ making an attempt to organize for the occasion on the final minute.
An enormous dance flooring, disco balls, quotes from Mahrez and large image frames are seen as decorations on the occasion.
The present additionally provides viewers a glance contained in the houses of the footballers and their companions, and it was evident that there had been no expense spared.
Harding was seen stepping right into a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, a machine designed to help muscle restoration, and Tarkowski’s spouse, Sam, who’s a private coach, used the couple’s state-of-the-art gymnasium to maintain herself in prime situation.
As she makes use of the oxygen chamber to assist her bruises from a facial, she jokes to the cameras: ‘I had a facial the opposite day and I’ve acquired all these like little bruises so this machine is meant to assist therapeutic. All the footballers use it and now me, I would like this for restoration for high athletes.’
Jorginho and his accomplice had been left in matches of giggles as they defined how they communicated after they first met on a courting app
Harding practices an Italian music whereas carrying a dressing robe and towel on her head, as his childhood good friend, Kique, performs the guitar
Catherine Harding is pictured contained in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber in her dwelling with Jorginho as she tries to recuperate from a facial
In episode two, Harding forgets concerning the quantity of holidays that the couple have been on over the summer time, maybe giving a glimpse of the luxurious life-style they’ve.
She says: ‘We went to New York, then we went with the household to I’m making an attempt to suppose Marbella, then we went to Portugal. We additionally went to Italy. I feel we went someplace else however I am unable to bear in mind.’
At one level, Harding despatched the Married To The Game filming crew out of her home for an hour when Jorginho returned dwelling.
She mentioned: ‘J’s coming dwelling in two days within the night. He’s truly mentioned we’re having an hour collectively within the afternoon so I do not care who’s right here they should get out of our home for an hour.
‘So should you’re filming on Friday you must get out for an hour!’
The present isn’t just about partying, although, and it additionally confirmed the softer facet to the footballers and their companions as they performed with their kids.
Ward and Mahrez had a daughter collectively named Mila in July 2022, and he or she has already acquired a style of the luxurious life-style her dad and mom get pleasure from.
In episode one, Mila performed along with her mum’s Louis Vuitton designer bag whereas sitting on the ground, with Ward additionally laying down a Chanel purse and a glowing silver bag for her daughter to stare upon.
Ward additionally lifted the lid on the assistance she receives from others, along with her sister, Darby, being readily available for babysitting duties and to supply recommendation, which was gratefully accepted as Ward tried to come back to phrases with Mahrez transferring to a different nation.
But it isn’t all glitz and glam for the companions of Premier League footballers, as they opened up on the difficulties they’ve confronted by courting high-profile sportsmen.
Samantha (pictured) makes use of the state-of-the-art gymnasium that she has at her dwelling with Everton defender James Tarkowski
Samatha Tarkowski was diminished to tears when discussing the abuse she has obtained on-line over time
Harding revealed her relationship with Jorginho struggled to get off the bottom after he ‘tricked’ her into considering that he spoke fluent English.
The couple met on a courting app, and the Gunners star admitted he needed to ‘copy and paste’ into Google Translate to determine precisely what Harding was saying.
As they defined how their relationship labored, Jorginho joked: ‘We cannot communicate, we will not talk, OK!’ as he threw his fingers up within the air, earlier than Harding added ‘What else are we going to do? Speak the language of affection!’ which drew extra laughs.
That preliminary stumbling block has been handled, however different companions admitted to having to beat challenges each day.
Samantha was diminished to tears within the second episode as she defined how exhausting it has been to deal with individuals commenting on her physique on-line over time, claiming it is just since having her first child that she has lastly been in a position to change her perspective.
She reveals: ‘I struggled for years with consuming issues, low self worth, poor physique picture. There remains to be a part of me that struggles with that. I’m a girl in soccer. It’s exhausting work, it is robust as a result of all individuals wanna do is convey you down.’
In a extra optimistic revelation, the couple instructed how that they had their marriage ceremony in Provence, with meals and drinks on the Friday, the ceremony on Saturday and a pool occasion on the Sunday.
Sam reveals: ‘We stunned our friends with Craig David. Everyone simply misplaced it.’
Everton defender James Tarkowski (left) and his spouse Sam (proper) additionally star within the documentary and reveal how they hosted a three-day marriage ceremony in Provence the place they stunned their friends with none aside from singer Craig David (centre)
Matt Turner’s spouse, Ashley (left) revealed she needed to depart her charity work behind when he moved to England to hitch Arsenal in 2022
Elsewhere, Turner’s spouse, Ash – a former NFL cheerleader – additionally mentioned how she needed to depart her life behind and quit her charity work after her husband left the US to hitch Arsenal in 2022.
She tells the cameras: ‘Life was pretty simple and easy. But then getting a switch throughout to a distinct nation…
Turner interrupts: ‘…and quit your job and quit your charity work in the intervening time. She actually left her entire life behind.
Ash, who moved to UK when she was eight months pregnant, added: I did not realise how tough it was going to be.’ She later goes to a being pregnant scan along with her mother-in-law, with Turner on Facetime.
Turner admits later: ‘Missing scans and appointments is hard however to be sincere I’ve missed so many issues in my life I’m a bit of bit numb to it in some methods.’