Chelsea Women manager Sonia Bompastor selected her first starting lineup of the 2026/27 campaign for a crucial Women's Champions League qualifying match against Real Sociedad. The team news was confirmed by the club's official website ahead of the first leg at Plough Lane.
This fixture carries significant weight for a Chelsea side that finished third in the FA Women's Super League last season. That final 2025 table position, with 49 points from 15 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses, meant automatic qualification for the Champions League league phase was missed by six points behind leaders Manchester City W. The team's recent form of four wins and a draw in their final five league games, however, provided a solid platform for this European challenge.
Who started for Chelsea Women?
Sonia Bompastor's inaugural competitive selection featured a blend of experience and new faces. Hannah Hampton started in goal behind a back four of Ellie Carpenter, captain Naomi Girma, Aniek Buurman, and new signing Katie McCabe. The midfield trio consisted of Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken, and Alyssa Thompson. The attacking line was led by Lauren James, Ashley Baltimore, and Aggie Beever-Jones.
Naomi Girma wearing the captain's armband for this important European tie was a notable decision. Her leadership will be vital as Chelsea look to navigate this two-legged qualifier and secure a place in the lucrative league phase of the competition. The full squad list is available on our squad page.
Which new signings were involved?
Summer recruit Katie McCabe was handed an immediate starting role at left-back, highlighting Bompastor's trust in the Ireland international. Fellow new arrivals Giulia Dragoni, Nelly Las, and Melvine Malard all began the match on the substitutes' bench, offering attacking options if required.
The bench also included goalkeepers Zecira Musovic and Emily Spencer, along with defenders Nathalie Bjorn and Lucy Bronze. Midfielders Maika Hamano, Erin Potter, and midfielder defender duo Tessa Kaptein and Saffron Sarwie completed the matchday squad.
Why is this qualifier so important?
Finishing third in the WSL last season meant Chelsea Women had to enter the Champions League at the third qualifying round. The club's 44 goals scored and 20 conceded last term demonstrated an attacking threat but also a defensive vulnerability that needs addressing in high-stakes matches. The two-legged tie against Spanish side Real Sociedad is the only route into the competition's new league phase for Bompastor's team.
The second leg is scheduled for 6pm on 2 September at the Estadio Zubieta in San Sebastian. The outcome over 180 minutes will define the early direction of Chelsea's European campaign. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page for continental competition.
Who was missing from the squad?
The only confirmed absentee was Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo. Manager Sonia Bompastor confirmed the injury in her pre-match press conference, stating Matsukubo was unavailable for selection. Her creativity was a miss for a midfield tasked with breaking down a disciplined Real Sociedad side.
With the depth of the squad, Bompastor had ample cover, but any injury is a concern at the start of a long season. Supporters can check for the latest team news on our injuries page.
This match represented the first competitive step for Chelsea Women under their new manager. Building on a league season where they scored freely but ultimately fell short of the title, the focus now shifts to securing European football for the group stages. Success over these two legs would provide a major boost ahead of the domestic season's start and validate the club's summer recruitment strategy.
