Chelsea Women: How Will Taking Part in the Champions League Qualifiers Affect Their WSL Season?

Last season, Sonia Bompastor’s previously treble-winning side suffered disappointment when the Blues recorded their worst finish since 2019, meaning they missed out on automatic UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification and now have to play in a two-legged tie against Spanish side Real Sociedad in order to secure a place in the league phase. However, will the qualifiers hinder or help Chelsea’s 2026-27 Women’s Super League campaign?

What Do Chelsea Need to Do to Qualify?

In order to make sure they qualify, Chelsea are required to play the first of two legs on home turf at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. This fixture is due to take place on August 26 and whoever comes out on top in the first leg could take a much-needed cushion into the next match on September 2 against Real Sociedad, three days before Chelsea’s opening WSL fixture at The Bridge against Aston Villa. Chelsea are known for having a winning mentality and for always putting their all into every game, so it is important that they win the tie on aggregate to avoid failing to qualify and dropping into the Women’s Europa Cup. For the fans, staff and players, being dropped would be detrimental as there has never been a Chelsea side in recent years that hasn’t competed alongside Europe's elite.

How Will Chelsea Deal With the Extra Fixtures?

Due to the outcome of last season, Chelsea have ended up with extra fixtures. It is evident that these unusual circumstances have caused an increase in congestion. For example, the gap between the second leg of the qualifiers and the WSL opener is only three days and when training and recovery are factored into such a short window, it is likely that player fatigue could be an issue.

How Will Chelsea’s Squad Depth Help Them?

With such a star-studded squad, it won't be difficult for them to find suitable rotation options whilst other players are resting up. From Champions League winner Katie McCabe to midfielder Giulia Dragoni, they've had quite the transfer window to potentially give their most experienced players some respite. Having these options will help Chelsea maintain the same level of quality across all domestic competitions.

In the back line, there is plenty of experience to help the Blues get through the hefty number of games. For example, two-time UEFA Women’s EURO champion Lucy Bronze has acquired many different attributes to her game over the years. Not to mention USWNT defender Naomi Girma, who has made quite the name for herself after being the first female player to command a transfer fee of over one million dollars following her move from San Diego Wave.

However, defence isn’t the only area where Chelsea can afford to rotate their squad. With such a selection in both the midfield and up front, Chelsea appear to be spoilt for choice. Midfield maestro Keira Walsh joined Chelsea in January 2025 from Spanish giants Barcelona. Her experience makes her a valuable option for squad rotation. She was part of the incredible Lionesses squad that reached the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final for the very first time, as well as winning two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.

As for their threats up front, Chelsea are not by any means short of some exceptional talents, whether it be academy graduate Aggie Beever-Jones or an experienced player like Lauren James. Having these options will give Bompastor the freedom to make changes based on squad fatigue and game demands.

What Could Make the Extra Fixtures Difficult?

The issue with these extra fixtures is that they have left Chelsea in unusual circumstances. This is due to the fact that they usually finish within the top two in the WSL, meaning they were eligible for automatic league phase qualification. Unfortunately for Bompastor, her side finished behind Arsenal. The consequence of these extra fixtures is that the schedule has become quite congested. With the team’s opening WSL fixture against Aston Villa being just three days after the all-important second-leg tie, fatigue could become an issue and potentially hinder them as they begin the new domestic season.

How Could the Champions League Qualifiers Benefit Chelsea?

The UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers could benefit Chelsea because they give them time to gel with new signings and form player partnerships. This is important as it gives the team an opportunity to test what works and what doesn’t, as well as how to utilise new and returning players ahead of the upcoming WSL campaign.

Ultimately, the Champions League qualifiers could present both challenges and opportunities for Chelsea. The congested schedule and short recovery period could cause fatigue, but their squad depth gives Bompastor plenty of options to rotate. The extra fixtures could also help new signings build relationships before the WSL campaign begins. How effectively Chelsea manage these demands could determine whether the qualifiers hinder or benefit their domestic season.