Chelsea Women defender Lucy Bronze has highlighted the significant growth of the Women's Super League as the new season approaches. Speaking to ESPN, the England international reflected on a mixed campaign for the Blues, who finished third in the final 2025 table with 49 points from 22 games.
Bronze's comments come ahead of Chelsea's opening match against Aston Villa on Saturday. The wider WSL returns on Friday with a high-profile clash between newcomers London City Lionesses and Manchester United, a fixture boosted by the signing of Alexia Putellas. Chelsea's own 2025 season saw them score 44 goals and concede 20, ending six points behind champions Manchester City.
How competitive was the last WSL season?
The 2025 Women's Super League campaign was notably competitive, ending Chelsea's six-year dominance of the title. Manchester City finished as champions, four points clear at the top, while Tottenham Hotspur clinched fifth place. Chelsea, under manager Sonia Bompastor in her second season, secured a third-place finish with a record of 15 wins, four draws, and three losses. Their recent form heading into the offseason was strong, finishing with a sequence of four wins and a draw.
This increased competition extended across the league. "You look at this season; Arsenal have been playing in the Emirates, now we're playing at Stamford Bridge," Bronze said. "The game has gone from strength to strength." The defender pointed to these stadium moves as symbols of the league's rising profile and competitive depth.
What defined Chelsea's 2025 campaign?
Chelsea's season was a tale of contrasting fortunes. The club's stranglehold on the WSL title was broken, and they suffered exits from the UEFA Women's Champions League and the Women's FA Cup. However, they secured silverware by winning the Women's League Cup, a triumph that provided a positive note. The team's goal difference of +24 reflected a potent attack and a solid defence.
Bronze acknowledged the club's high standards. "I think Chelsea's always been renowned as a team that wins trophies, that are winners," she stated. The campaign's outcome has set a clear benchmark for improvement, with the full standings from last season showing the tight margin at the top.
What is the context for the new season?
The club has moved to retain experience, signing Bronze to a one-year contract extension over the summer. This stability is key as Bompastor looks to build on her second season in charge. The squad will aim to convert their strong end-of-season form, detailed on our stats page, into a sustained title challenge.
With the new season beginning, all eyes are on whether Chelsea can reclaim the WSL crown. Their first test is a trip to face Aston Villa this weekend, a match you can find on our fixtures schedule. The team begins its quest six points behind the reigning champions, Manchester City, based on the final 2025 table.
