Chelsea Women finished third in the Women's Super League in the 2024-25 season with 49 points from 22 games, recording 15 wins, four draws and three losses, and a recent form of WWWWD. The club ended the 2025-26 season with their worst league performance since 2018-19, suffering their first back-to-back league defeats since 2015 and experiencing Sonia Bompastor's first consecutive defeats in all competitions as a manager.
How did key departures affect Chelsea Women's 2025-26 season?
Millie Bright left the club as captain, while Sam Kerr departed as a record-breaking forward. Lauren James was absent for three months due to injury and started only half of the team's league games. Mayra Ramirez and Nathalie Bjorn both endured significant injury issues, contributing to Chelsea Women's lowest goal-scoring return in seven years during the 2025-26 season.
What transfers did Chelsea Women pursue and complete in 2025-26?
Chelsea Women attempted to sign Khadija Shaw from Manchester City, but she renewed her contract with the Citizens. The club pursued Felicia Schroder, who joined Real Madrid for a near-world-record fee, and Salma Paralluelo, who moved to Lyon after leaving Barcelona. In contrast, Chelsea Women signed Melvine Malard from Manchester United, a France international who can play wide or through the middle and was previously coached by Sonia Bompastor at Lyon.
Which new signings joined Chelsea Women in the summer of 2025?
Chelsea Women signed Giulia Dragoni, an Italy teenager, and Manaka Matsukubo from the North Carolina Courage. Matsukubo is a 22-year-old Japan international who was named NWSL Midfielder of the Year in 2025 and played as a striker and No.10 in the U.S. But will operate as a No.10 in England. Katie McCabe was their first summer signing, an Ireland international who previously played for Arsenal and signed to play left-back, having captained her national team.
What did Sonia Bompastor and Nathalie Bjorn say about the squad?
Sonia Bompastor said: "Sometimes part of my reflection is to say, ‘Actually, if everyone thinks it was a really bad season for Chelsea, then wow’." Nathalie Bjorn said: "I think we have a really good squad." The club went on a pre-season tour to Australia and New Zealand in summer 2025 and aims to concede fewer goals in the upcoming season, with Aggie Beever-Jones remaining part of the squad.
Chelsea Women will look to improve on their 2024-25 standing as they prepare for the new campaign, with details available on our standings page.
