“Sonia and I had a chat about this,” says Lucy Bronze. “She asked me: ‘What do you think is missing at Chelsea?’ And I replied: ‘Nothing, they’ve got everything.’ Sonia agreed: ‘I thought the same.’” Bronze, a five-time Champions League winner, is well-placed to assess Chelsea’s ambitions, having played under Sonia Bompastor and her assistant, Camille Abily, at Lyon.
“This club has more resources than many of the teams I’ve played for,” Bronze notes. “People often ask how it compares to Lyon and Barcelona. I loved my time at both, and the talent there was incredible, but they didn’t always have the resources Chelsea does.” As Chelsea prepares for their Champions League opener against Real Madrid, is Bronze’s assessment accurate? Can Chelsea become the first English team since Arsenal in 2007 to win the Champions League, and can Bompastor make the difference?
“Yes, I believe so,” says defender Nathalie Björn, who joined Chelsea in January. “Winning the Champions League as both a player and a coach is extraordinary. She knows what it takes, both individually and as a team. I think she can fill the gap we’ve been missing.” Chelsea’s squad is deeper than ever, with a wealth of experience. Emma Hayes’ preparatory work, focusing on player development over immediate success, has paid off. Injured players like Catarina Macario, Mayra Ramírez, and Millie Bright have returned, while Mia Fishel and Sam Kerr are on the mend.
Bompastor’s approach is clear and focused. “She’s very clear on how she wants to play football,” Björn says. “She’s passionate and honest, demanding but also encouraging players to be brave. She balances demands with the freedom to make mistakes and learn.” Stability is also provided by general manager Paul Green, who understands Chelsea’s workings. European conditions are ripe for change, with new managers at Barcelona, Lyon, and PSG.
The decision to postpone Chelsea’s WSL game against Manchester United has caused controversy, with concerns about the advantage it gives over Arsenal. Bompastor, however, sees issues for Chelsea too. “We were in a good team dynamic, and not playing each weekend changes everything. We’ve been out of competition for 10 days, which is different. The decision isn’t good for all English clubs in the Champions League.” If there’s a barrier to Chelsea’s success, it could be the WSL’s scheduling around European ties.
