Search this site

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.

Photo: Katie Chan/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) With a new season upon us comes a new name, new format and even more opportunities. The Subway Players Cup (formerly the Subway Women’s League Cup) has changed not only its name, but its format too. Approaching it in this way opens the competition up to clubs competing in the top two divisions of the women’s football pyramid. However, this coming season player welfare will be the priority, meaning that they will be excluding Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, as they all have pre-existing UEFA Women’s Champions League commitments. It requires them to play additional fixtures and creates extra demand each week. The new format aims to help minimise fatigue by easing calendar congestion, while ensuring that the league phase fixtures will be regionalised. Which Teams are Involved? Throughout the competition, we will see 23 clubs go head-to-head in hopes of bringing the next season’s first piece of silverware home. 11 of these clubs regularly compete in the English top flight: Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Brighton, recently promoted Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester United, Spurs and West Ham United. The competition’s aim is to give those 12 teams in the second division more opportunities to test themselves against WSL opposition: Bristol City, Burnley, Durham, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Southampton, Sunderland, Watford and Wolves. How Does the Competition Structure Work? Unlike previous seasons, the WSL has decided to change its format. This means that the group stage no longer exists, but has been replaced by a league phase. The league phase will take place between September and December, when each club will play six regionalised fixtures split between three home games and three away games to try and minimise travel. The participating clubs will be placed in one combined table. By the end of the league phase, clubs finishing in first to eighth will advance to the quarter-final stage of the competition, taking place on the 13th and 14th of January. When are the Key Dates and Fixtures? All teams who progress will earn themselves a place in the semi-finals between the 10th and 11th of February 2027. According to WSL Football (2026), the final will be played on either the 13th or 14th of March 2027. The neutral venue is yet to be confirmed. How Will the Subway Players Cup Impact the Women's Game? The Subway Players Cup will impact the women's game, as it allows WSL 2 clubs to play unfamiliar opponents. It could also help them to adapt to the quality of the WSL. Emma Sidall expressed how being able “to face some of the best players in the world will be a great experience”. The competition could narrow the gap in quality between sides, keeping motivation high to reach the WSL. Jordan Nobbs, a five-time winner of this competition, said her team Newcastle United is excited to compete for a trophy that “everyone wants to win.” The competition’s new format will hopefully tackle player fatigue and help to manage an already congested calendar by introducing regionalised fixtures. The fixtures that will be played allow players to experience new venues as well as plenty of new opportunities.

It’s almost that time of year again where we are greeted with new title challengers, emerging talents, and plenty of twists and turns. This year, the WSL has a variety of players from different backgrounds, including established stars and young breakthrough talents, while others will be looking to make a difference and help their clubs add more trophies to their cabinet. I’ve chosen these players based on their recent form, exciting new transfers, and history of impressive seasons, with each player having the potential to make a significant impact for their club. This season’s opening weekend will begin on the 4th of September, when Manchester United take on London City Lionesses. This game in particular is one to keep fans on the edge of their seats, as there are a few familiar faces on the pitch, ranging from European champions to international legends. With Manchester City's last season being their most successful one to date since the Nick Cushing era in 2016, it shows other clubs that success can be achieved after a prolonged period of time and gives them something to aim for. With all that being said, it reminds us that winning isn't guaranteed because of a team’s legacy. It is based on a team giving their all in hopes of success. That relies on introducing experienced players or new and emerging talents in order to have a better chance at lifting the trophy in the world’s largest domestic league. Alexia Putellas Photo: MichealEmillo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Alexia Putellas has sparked a lot of excitement with her confirmed move to billionaire-owned London City Lionesses. This move was highly sought after by both fans and those at the club due to her decade and a half of experience winning trophies at Barcelona. The ultimate goal for owner Michelle Kang will be a top-three finish and a place in the Champions League group stage. She arrives in Bromley possessing incredible technical ability, with one of her many strengths being her game intelligence. This enables her to make defence-splitting passes and forward runs. Not only is she a clinical finisher with nine goals in 25 appearances, but she is also a creator of opportunities for her teammates to convert chances, with seven assists last season. Alessia Russo Photo: MichealEmillo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) The Arsenal forward has continued to develop in the women's game after joining the club on a free transfer from Manchester United. In the last three seasons, Russo has become a pivotal part of both Arsenal’s and England’s attacks, so much so that it is very rare for her not to be included in the starting lineup. Being trusted in these teams week in, week out has allowed her to build excellent form in front of goal. Fans and coaches will hope that she is able to retain her consistency and lead Arsenal to their first league title since the 2018-19 season. During the 2025-26 season, she netted 13 WSL goals in 22 games, meaning she averaged 0.6 goals per game. This showcases that she is a natural finisher and will no doubt increase Arsenal’s title hopes. Her physicality will also be another one of her many assets that the club will utilise, as she is able to hold up the ball against low-block teams. Slegers’ side have at times struggled to break down and convert against squads that pride themselves on a defensive style. When she does receive the ball, in moments where she is not placing herself in front of goal, she can play key passes and provide assists, showing she is a versatile player who is able to do more than score goals. Grace Clinton Photo: LHC88 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) Merseyside-born midfielder Clinton is no stranger to the Women’s Super League. At just seventeen years old, she was already making her way through the youth ranks at Everton's academy before breaking into the first team. She was then signed by Manchester United and sent on loan to Spurs, where she developed her playing style before returning to United. Most recently, she switched to the sky-blue side of Manchester, where she initially made her debut on the wing but quickly established herself as a box-to-box midfielder, allowing her to cover large areas of the pitch, which is a massive advantage when it comes to the squad’s defensive stability. One of Clinton's main attributes is her ability to control the tempo of the game in all areas of the pitch. Throughout last season, she made twelve appearances, found the back of the net once and contributed to a teammate’s goal. Although these numbers do not appear to be the most impressive on the list, the Manchester City midfielder possesses many other qualities that make her a well-rounded player. Going beyond the statistics, her true value comes from what she delivers when her team is out of possession. Her most notable strength is her ability to make strong defensive contributions. She is especially talented in the air; according to FotMob (2026), she won 88% of her aerial duels last season. Not only can she defend in the air, but she is also excellent in tight, one-on-one situations, which means she can retain possession. This allows her to turn defensive situations into attacking opportunities, while her long-range shooting capabilities add an additional threat to her game. Maya Le Tissier Photo: James Boyes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) Le Tissier, although still only 24, is starting to establish herself as one of Manchester United's most promising centre-backs. Despite her young age, she has been able to achieve some incredible things. In the 2023-24 season, her experience and leadership were evident when she captained her side to Women’s FA Cup glory against Spurs. Since then, she has continued to impress and has played every competitive minute across the past three consecutive seasons. One of Maya’s most notable strengths is her ability to read the game. This allows her to position herself effectively to help her team and prevent opposition chances from finding the back of the net. Year after year, she has been praised for her excellent form, and last season she earned a place in the WSL Team of the Year for the third time. Having such a reliable centre-back as part of United's defensive line aids team stability and gives her teammates confidence that they are in safe hands. Lauren James Photo: James Boyes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) The Chelsea forward and UEFA Women’s EURO champion has wasted no time in making a name for herself. Her reputation in the English top flight comes from years of representing some of its biggest clubs. Her seasons at Chelsea have been among the most influential of her career, helping her to develop her game at the highest level. Her unpredictability will be an advantage for Chelsea as they head into next season, hoping to reclaim the league title. The Blues appeared to struggle with unpredictability last season, and this could have been due to James’ absences through injury, meaning they lost her ability to keep defenders guessing. This created less space for herself and her teammates because they were missing her creativity on the pitch. When James is available in the starting lineup, she plays with a close-control style that allows her to operate in and around the box. This can often cause defenders to feel threatened and slip out of position. This was evident against Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final, when she produced a moment of long-range individual brilliance. With the season starting shortly, I believe that these five players could make a substantial difference to the league, whether it be through creativity, leadership, goalscoring, or experience. With all these qualities being brought to the table, this season should be one that keeps you on the edge of your seat.