Lucy Bronze excited by title race ahead of six-pointer against Manchester City | OneFootball

Chelsea and Manchester City lock horns this weekend in a must-win WSL clash for both sides, but Lucy Bronze is fuelled by the chase and still has faith that her team can catch City.

After a disappointing start to the campaign Chelsea trail behind City by nine points.

Chelsea ‘excited’ by chase

Despite being poor towards the end of 2025, winning the league still isn’t out of the realms of possibility for Chelsea.

The Blues can cut the gap between second and first down to six points on Sunday, which is something Lucy Bronze is excited to do.

“It gives it some excitement – the pressure is on Manchester City to hold that lead,” Bronze said. “We were in that position last year where we had quite a big gap and had to hold on to it with teams chasing us down. It makes it fun and exciting.

“If Manchester City were to lose the league now it’s seen as a negative. If Chelsea were to bridge that gap, that’s a huge positive.”

Bronze remains ever present in the Chelsea team and will be crucial for the Blues if they are to contain City.

Chelsea of course have won the last six WSL titles and their experience could help them get over the line this weekend.

“That mentality is easier as a club to digest. It would be nice to be at the top. But you just have to take it for what it is and enjoy it.”

Following defeat to Arsenal last week Sonia Bompastor’s team will be looking for an immediate bounce back to form on Sunday.

If Chelsea lost this weekend the title race wouldn’t be over, but their seventh consecutive title would be out of their hands and in serious peril.

Lucy Bronze: Players need to work harder

Chelsea’s veteran isn’t just a leader on the pitch, as she is looking to develop women’s football off the field as well.

The full back highlighted that although the WSL may not have the best facilities, it is the responsibility of players to work to the best of their abilities to improve the game.

“The first thing would be to connect with players and say it’s also their responsibility to be the best they can be and to work the hardest,” said Bronze. “Sometimes we say, ‘we need more facilities, more media and more this’. We do need that. But, as players, we can push ourselves more to be better.

“It’s hard playing every game, every single week, for your club and for England. It’s not just showing up. You have to do the extra things and it’s a learning process.”

Bronze is still a huge part of the Lionesses setup but her international career is winding down. The 34-year-old is likely to retire from England duty following the World Cup in 2027.