The Chelsea Women’s Super League Dominance: A Deep Dive
Amidst discussions surrounding the potential elimination of relegation in the Women’s Super League (WSL), concerns are growing that the league is evolving into an exclusive domain for a select few. This trend, however, is not attributed to any impending legislative changes but stems primarily from Chelsea’s overwhelming control over the competition.
The Blues are on the brink of securing their sixth consecutive league title, a feat that, while remarkable, raises questions about the competitive landscape of the league. Historical patterns suggest that a quadruple triumph may be ambitious, yet it remains within the realm of possibility. The recent injuries to star players Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel hinted at a possible vulnerability, but Chelsea’s resolve has been unwavering. Guro Reiten, for instance, has already matched her goal tally from the previous season, showcasing the team’s depth.
Despite Emma Hayes’ departure for the United States and the exits of key attacking figures like Pernille Harder and Fran Kirby, Chelsea’s dominance persists. At this juncture in the 2023-24 season, they have amassed 45 goals while conceding just 10, averaging an impressive 2.81 goals per match. In contrast, last season at the same point, they had scored 44 and conceded 11. The gap between Chelsea and their rivals has only widened.
This season, Chelsea remains unbeaten across all four competitions, a stark contrast to last year when they suffered a home defeat to Manchester City and were heavily beaten 4-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates. The current winning streak highlights their formidable form.
Transitioning Leadership and Maintaining Excellence
“With Emma leaving, the legacy she established at Chelsea has made Sonia’s transition a bit smoother,” says forward Aggie Beever-Jones in an interview with The i Paper. “Sonia is a coach who has not only won the Champions League as a player but also as a coach. Her track record of success is propelling us to the next level.”
Beever-Jones adds, “Being unbeaten this season in European competitions is a fantastic achievement for Sonia and all of us as players. However, we always strive for more. That’s the Chelsea mentality – we constantly aim to break boundaries and set new records.”
During her remarkable 12-year tenure at Kingsmeadow, Hayes forged a unique bond with her players, emphasizing both collective performance and individual expression. One of her distinct motivational strategies included showcasing the Babel sculpture at the Tate Modern, which consists of numerous radios broadcasting different programs simultaneously. This served as a metaphor for the importance of players standing out from the crowd to enhance team cohesion.
In contrast, Bompastor’s approach is more straightforward and less whimsical. Her impressive resume boasts seven major trophies as a manager by the age of 44, and she is on track to potentially reach double digits by her next birthday.
Her success extends beyond mere inspiration; it has granted her considerable authority in the dressing room. Bompastor’s influential career as a midfielder at Lyon played a pivotal role in advocating for professional contracts for French women players. Her ability to attract international attention raised concerns about the potential loss of talent from French clubs to American teams without appropriate compensation.
“When Emma Hayes left, the team found itself in a state of uncertainty, much like when Arne Slot took over at Liverpool,” remarks former England forward Lianne Sanderson in The i Paper. “However, Bompastor has seamlessly continued the momentum, indicating that the team needed a fresh outlook. While Hayes achieved remarkable milestones, Bompastor has impressively carried the torch forward.”
Key Players and Future Prospects
Timing is crucial in football, and Bompastor’s success has been fortuitously aligned with several players’ career milestones. Millie Bright has made a commendable recovery from her knee injury, recently signing a new contract. Meanwhile, Zecira Musovic announced her pregnancy while Hannah Hampton has been delivering some of the finest performances of her career, positioning herself as a strong contender to replace Mary Earps as England’s No. 1 for Euro 2025.
“Playing for one of the best clubs in the world while performing well is instrumental for her as she heads into the Euros,” Sanderson states. “After her stellar display against Spain, she has firmly established her claim for that role.”
Beever-Jones also reflects on her personal growth over the past year, stating, “I’m approaching 22, and football has become the centerpiece of my life. I’ve managed to find a balance between my personal life and the sport, allowing me to truly enjoy my football. Receiving an England call-up and making my debut has been surreal – it’s incredible how much can change in a year for the better.”
One aspect that remains unchanged is Chelsea’s relentless pursuit of talent in the transfer market. For the second consecutive January, they broke the British transfer record, first with a £384,000 deal for Mayra Ramierz in 2024 and then smashing the world record with the acquisition of centre-back Naomi Girma for approximately £900,000, making her the first-ever $1 million women’s player.
Although Girma faced injuries upon her arrival and suffered another setback during her debut in a 2-2 draw with Brighton, the allure of Chelsea remains strong. Keira Walsh’s signing, despite Arsenal’s long-standing interest, underscores this, as Chelsea opted to pay £400,000 to secure her services ahead of a free transfer in the summer. Like Lucy Bronze, she was eager to return to English football, and Chelsea was ideally positioned to secure her signature.
Bompastor anticipated a response from her players after their dropped points against Brighton, and they delivered emphatically. Catarina Macario, Beever-Jones, and Erin Cuthbert all contributed to a decisive victory over Leicester City.
The disparity between Chelsea and its competitors is stark: Chelsea’s xG for the season stands at an impressive 34.5, significantly outpacing their performances, while Leicester’s xG, the lowest in the league, is a mere 11.8.
Looking ahead, Chelsea has the opportunity to solidify their position by advancing to the FA Cup semi-finals with a win against the WSL’s bottom team, Crystal Palace. Following that, they will face Manchester City in the League Cup final – the first of potentially four trophies this season.
