The Chelsea women’s squad is stepping into a fresh chapter with Sonia Bompastor at the helm. Filling  Emma Hayes’s shoes isn’t a walk in the park as the former Chelsea boss and now head of the USWNT left a legacy that’s hard to match. But Bompastor isn’t here to play it safe. Even with the shadow of Hayes’ success looming, she’s giving Chelsea her own flavor, and it’s clear she’s in it to make a lasting impact.

Emma Hayes has been with Chelsea FC Women for over ten years, winning titles like the Women’s Super League (WSL) and FA Cups. She was more than just a coach; she became a key figure in English women’s football, boosting the game’s visibility and inspiring future coaches. Her strong personality, commitment to player development, and drive for championships created a legacy that Chelsea fans deeply admired.

Hayes’ departure created a vacuum, and Chelsea’s choice of Sonia Bompastor as her successor was significant. Bompastor has a storied career, both as a player and a coach, and she has been a prominent figure in women’s football in France. Her work with Olympique Lyonnais led to multiple successes, and her experience brings a wealth of knowledge to Chelsea. However, stepping into the shoes of someone as impactful as Emma Hayes is an inherently daunting task.

The Blues’ strong start and Champions League ambitions 

Chelsea fans have welcomed Bompastor’s promising start. So far, the team is performing well in WSL, and Chelsea fans could not have asked for much more at this stage. One of the reasons the board at Chelsea appointed her was her experience in European competition, and they will watch closely how she approaches the Champions League.

The Blues has always struggled to win the Champions League, with Emma Hayes’ teams coming so close to it but never quite managing to get it. Now, Bompastor‘s history with Olympique Lyonnais, the club associated with winning the Champions League, presents a renewed hope for fans. Her familiarity with the intensity and pressure of Europe‘s elite competition might be what brings Chelsea its elusive goal.

Currently, with five WSL games, and five wins, Chelsea is rolling through the season. They’ve got a game in hand against Manchester United coming up on November 23, and with 20 goals from 13 different players, their goal difference is already leaps ahead of the pack. However, still a long way to go.

Bompastor’s challenge will be balancing the demands of the WSL and Champions League, particularly as Chelsea is expected to progress to the knockout stages comfortably. The demands of these competitions, especially in the later stages, will test the depth and resilience of their squad. While rivals like Manchester City may also make it to the knockouts, managing this competition schedule will be crucial for Chelsea to sustain success on both fronts.