This is a projected Chelsea Women squad after Sonia Bompastor oversaw a rather disappointing second campaign which saw her team win just the Subway Cup. The former champions handed the WSL away for the first time since 2019 and crashed out of the Champions League to Arsenal. It was a massive underperformance from a once-dominant side that waived goodebye to stalwarts like Millie Bright, Guro Reiten, and Sam Kerr. Phil Radley has come in and taken over the transfer dealings from Paul Green and his first summer has seen him make some massive moves to help overhaul the squad to reignite the fire that made the Blues so dominant.
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Current Projected Chelsea Women Squad for 2026/27 Women’s Super League Campaign
Goalkeepers
With Femke Liefting going out on loan the core between the sticks is Hannah Hampton, Llivia Peng, and Becky Spencer who counts as a veteran homegrown squad player. With such a strong top two there is no need to dig into the transfer market so the trio will likely remain unchanged.
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Llivia Peng, Becky Spencer
Defenders
The retirement of Millie Bright left quite the gap in the back line which was expanded upon with Niamh Charles making the switch to Manchester City. The club reacted by making the free agent signing of veteran Katie McCabe from Arsenal to add to the left-back spot.
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Naomi Girma, Veerle Buurman, Nathalie Bjorn, Lucy Bronze, Kadeisha Buchanan, Ellie Carpenter, and Chloe Sarwie all got minutes in the back line last time out. Nelly Las has also come in but she may find it tough to get minutes at the competitive right side of the defence.
Based on the incomings and those who played last year, the back line grouping appears to be.
Defenders: Katie McCabe, Chloe Sarwie, Naomi Girma, Veerle Buurman, Nathalie Bjorn, Kadeisha Buchanan, Lucy Bronze, Ellie Carpenter
Midfield
Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert were almost guaranteed starters every time out last year. The primary 4-3-3 allowed them to work alongside a third option which changed depending on availability. Wieke Kaptein and Sjoeke Nusken both occupied the 8/10 versatile role in the trio but could face competition from new signing Manaka Mastukubo for that position.
Read More: Projected Chelsea Squad for 26/27 as of July 22
Lexi Potter got some time as an academy graduate in the deeper positions and with no incomings for the deeper spot, she remains the primary option to rotate in for Walsh late in games.
Midfielders: Keira Walsh, Erin Cuthbert, Wieke Kaptein, Sjoeke Nusken, Lexi Potter, Manaka Matsukubo
Attack
The area that has undergone the biggest, and some might say most necessary overhaul, is the front line. Reiten, Kerr, and Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd have all made way this year.
Their departures have opened the door for Melvine Malard to come in from Manchester United to add to the attacking options. A return from injury for Mayra Ramirez could feel like a new signing as will the readdition of Maika Hamano after her loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur.
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Aggie Beever-Jones, Sandy Baltimore, Lauren James, and Alyssa Thompson were all regulars in the previous season and will remain as such.
Attackers: Melvine Malard, Mayra Ramirez, Maika Hamano, Aggie Beever-Jones, Sandy Baltimore, Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson
Projected Chelsea Women Squad for 26/27
- Hannah Hampton
- Becky Spencer
- Llivia Peng
- Katie McCabe
- Chloe Sarwie
- Naomi Girma
- Veerle Buurman
- Kadeisha Buchanan
- Nathalie Bjorn
- Lucy Bronze
- Ellie Carpenter
- Keira Walsh
- Lexi Potter
- Erin Cuthbert
- Sjoeke Nusken
- Wieke Kaptein
- Manaka Matsukubo
- Melvine Malard
- Alyssa Thompson
- Mayra Ramirez
- Aggie Bever-Jones
- Maika Hamano
- Lauren James
- Sandy Baltimore
Featured Image Credit
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
