Can Chelsea return to the top of the WSL? | OneFootball

Chelsea led women’s football for a long period of time, winning every Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy from the 2019/20 season through to 2024/25.

But their six-year streak ended last season, finishing behind London rivals Arsenal in second place and league champions Manchester City.

The Blues have lost many big names over the course of the summer transfer window but have gained a flurry of talent as well.

Chelsea said goodbye to stars Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr, who both left for NWSL side Gotham FC. Alongside this, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was sold to Olympique Lyonnais for an estimated transfer fee of €600,000 at the beginning of July.

The trio of attackers have left behind a massive legacy to emulate, with Reiten having made 207 appearances and scoring 59 goals for the side since her debut in 2019, and Kerr scoring 115 goals in 157 appearances.

Captain Millie Bright also leaves behind a gap in the backline after retiring last season.

Manager Sonia Bompastor has targeted specific tactical profiles to restructure Chelsea’s system across width and aggression, creativity, energy and dictation on the pitch.

“I said last season we are facing a transition, and I think we are rebuilding in terms of refreshing the squad, rebuilding the culture within the team, and we’ll try our best. We’ll work as hard as possible to try to win trophies,” Bompastor told Chelsea.

“There are fine margins, and sometimes as much as you work hard, things don’t always go the way you want. It’s up to us to make sure we turn things our way.”

Arriving on a free transfer from Arsenal, Katie McCabe can serve as a leader on the flank.

The left back offers aggression in defensive transitions and the ability to invert into midfield as a left-wing back, which effectively allows Chelsea to switch between a back four and a back three.

Similarly, signed from North Carolina Courage, Japanese international Manaka Matsukubo was named NWSL’s 2025 Midfielder of the Year for her 11 goals and four assists that season, and is a threat in midfield.

Matsukubo brings off-ball pressing and high-tempo, quick turnovers in heavy environments.

Four-time UEFA Champions League winner Melvine Malard also joins the squad from Manchester United.

Malard, a forward with the ability to drop deep, was scouted by Bompastor when she was 14 and later coached by her at Olympique Lyonnais.

“My objective is to become better every single day and to win trophies. I know Chelsea always have that as an objective and I have that ambition too,” Malard told Chelsea.

Former Barcelona midfielder Giulia Dragoni and Leicester City defender Nelly Las also join the West London side, adding depth and the ability to dominate possession against low-block opposition with wing players.

Manchester City, who won the league last season, are arguably Chelsea’s biggest threats, having lost 5-1 away at the Joie Stadium back in February.

The Sky Blues have also made big signings, including former Chelsea defender Niamh Charles and Lioness Beth Mead.

City, who led the 25/26 WSL table since game week eight, will be working hard to defend both their WSL and FA Cup titles this season.

With the WSL season set to begin in just over two weeks, FromTheSpot will be providing analysis, match reports, previews and more for the 2026/27 season.