Sonia Bompastor hailed her Chelsea players for taking her ideas on board quickly following Sunday's 1-0 friendly victory over Arsenal.
New arrival Sandy Baltimore scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea overcame their London rivals at Audi Field in Chicago.
Chelsea begin their quest for a sixth straight Women's Super League crown against Aston Villa on September 20, following a period of upheaval at Stamford Bridge.
Former Lyon boss Bompastor took the reins after Emma Hayes left to take the United States job and has overseen two pre-season victories, with the Blues also beating Gotham FC 3-1 on Monday.
Though she acknowledges there is more work to do ahead of their WSL opener, Bompastor believes her new players have already made plenty of progress.
"What I take from the game is that we worked really hard as a team and even if we had difficult moments, we were able to manage them," Bompastor said.
"This is a good team spirit and I like that. Of course, the result was good even if we know we still need to work. These have been two good games for us to build on and to progress.
"We are in the beginning. It's not even been one month working with the team and it takes time to make sure all the girls understand our game model and the expectations I have of them on the field.
"I'm really happy. I think what we have wanted to work on since the beginning has been about the team spirit and from the two games we've played you can see we are playing like a team together, even when we have hard moments in games.
"From these two games, we will be working, progressing and reinforcing the messages on the game model.
"I'm already happy with the girls, their performance and what they're achieving on the field."
Reggae Girlz forward and captain Khadija "Bunny" Shaw continues to make history, adding the prestigious Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Women's Player of the Year award to her growing list of accolades. Shaw’s remarkable season with Manchester City Women saw her leading her team to a second-place finish in the Women's Super League, narrowly missing out on the title to Chelsea on goal difference.
Shaw’s performance throughout the season was nothing short of spectacular. She ended the campaign as the league's top scorer, netting 21 goals, including three hat-tricks, and providing three assists. This impressive tally not only made her the leading scorer but also marked a personal best, surpassing her total from the previous season by one goal.
After receiving the award, Shaw reflected on her journey and the significance of the honor. "I am both happy and proud to have received this award — to be recognized in such a way by my peers is a very special honour," Shaw said. "I also want to thank my teammates and the entire coaching staff because without them this would not be possible. I’d also like to congratulate all my fellow nominees who are such amazing players. To have been voted the player of the year means a lot."
The 27-year-old Shaw's journey to the top has been a testament to her hard work, determination, and unyielding belief in her dreams. Speaking with the BBC, she shared, "For me, it's been quite an interesting journey to where I am now, but from a young girl growing up, I always had a dream, and that dream was to be the best that I could be. Every day I try to do that not just on the field but off the field and to see if I can inspire young girls, not just in Jamaica but the Caribbean, to show that 'okay, if I can do it, it's definitely possible for you. You just have to believe in your dream.'"
Despite her success, Shaw is not content to rest on her laurels. She is already looking ahead to next season, determined to push her game to even greater heights. "I think for me, it's about keep having fun, embracing my journey, and pushing my levels even higher because when I look back at this season, there are a lot of goals I should have scored," she said. "But for me, it's just embracing the journey and keep working hard for the team, keep pushing my levels, and you never know where I will end at the end of the season."
Shaw’s impact goes beyond her on-field achievements. As the first Jamaican woman to win the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award, she continues to be a beacon of inspiration for young athletes, particularly in the Caribbean.
In addition to the PFA award on Tuesday, Shaw had previously been named the Women’s Super League Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season and Player of the Year at the Women’s Football Awards, further cementing her status as one of the top players in the world.
Sonia Bompastor says she "likes the pressure" that comes from succeeding Emma Hayes at Chelsea.
Hayes, who won Olympic gold earlier this month with the United States, left the Blues at the end of last season after a glittering 12-year spell in charge that saw her win seven Women's Super League titles, including each of the last five in a row.
She also led them to five Women's FA Cups and two Women's League Cups to bring her tally to 14 major trophies.
Bompastor, who spent three years in charge of Lyon, winning three consecutive league titles and a Champions League, is now hoping to build on Hayes' success.
"I just feel a lucky manager to have this opportunity to build from Emma and have this opportunity to show who I am as a manager but also as a person," Bompastor said in her first Chelsea press conference.
"I already told everyone that we are here to win every single title, every single game, so this is why I came. I like the pressure.
"When I had the meeting with the sporting directors, I said this is something really special to win the Champions League.
"I think we have all the quality at this club to have this trophy at home."
Hayes came close to winning the Champions League with Chelsea, but fell short in 2020-21, losing to Barcelona.
With one eye on achieving European success this season, the Blues have already brought in Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore, but Bompastor is keen to get some more additions through the door to ensure they can make a strong challenge.
"You know how competitive the league is here, maybe one of the most competitive in the world, so it's so difficult for an English team to perform in every game," she added.
"I'll make sure we have the good numbers and the quality to perform in every game."
Sonia Bompastor has said she is looking forward to building on the foundations laid by Emma Hayes at Chelsea to continue her legacy.
Bompastor, who was announced as Chelsea Women's new head coach in May, arrives from Lyon after three years with the French side.
During her time with Les Fenottes, she won seven titles, including the Women's Champions League in the 2021-22 season.
Bompastor won 100 of her 118 games in charge (D10 L8), with her side scoring 381 goals in that time while averaging a win percentage of 84.75%.
The 44-year-old replaces Hayes who spent 12 years in charge at Stamford Bridge, winning 16 titles and triumphing in 261 of her 367 games at the helm (D42 L64).
Hayes is on the cusp of another major honour in her first tournament in charge of the United States after guiding them to the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics.
"She has been really supportive. Emma is someone I know because she was my assistant coach when I played in the WPS in the US," Bompastor said.
"I’m looking forward to now trying to build from her legacy.
"She did a wonderful job and now I’m bringing my own personal touch as well to make sure the club reach all the expectations. We aim for the Champions League and all the other titles.
Not only does Bompastor arrive at Chelsea with an impressive managerial record, but also from her 13-year playing career.
The Frenchwoman won 14 titles during her time with Montpellier and Lyon, and is the only female to have won the Champions League as a player and a coach.
Chelsea were knocked out of last year's competition by eventual winners Barcelona in the semi-finals, with Bompastor confident her experiences will help guide the club to their first success in the tournament having finished as runners-up in 2021.
"I think the group already have a great mentality – a mentality of winning. This is something that has always been here," Bompastor added.
"The players are really important for me and they will be the ones who make sure we are successful.
"I’m here to help them feel comfortable on the field, to make sure they understand my game model, my philosophy and my vision of the performance.
I just want them to enjoy. When you have the chance to do a job with your passion, I think this is a privilege.
"I just want the players to be really happy when they step in the field and to enjoy with winning and scoring a lot of goals – and we will work very hard to achieve this goal."
Vivianne Miedema "followed her gut" when she decided to join Manchester City from Arsenal.
Miedema spent seven years with the Gunners, cementing herself as the Women's Super League all-time top scorer in that time, netting 79 goals.
She also set the league record for the most goals scored in a single WSL season (22) and netted 125 goals for Arsenal overall in 179 appearances.
After enduring two injury-hit campaigns in her final two years in North London, Miedema is ready to face a new challenge and is confident City will provide that.
"I've been in the league for a long, long time and my gut feeling told me that I really wanted to stay in England," Miedema said.
"I've spoken to multiple clubs in England and also abroad. Obviously, when I started speaking to City, I got really, really excited, mostly by the way they play but also by how other players actually talk about the club and about how things were going.
"Eventually, I think to myself, I want to challenge myself and I know this wasn't the easy option, obviously moving within England as well.
"But I got really excited about being a part of this City team and that's why, in the end, I followed my gut feeling by going with City."
The Citizens came agonisingly close to winning the WSL title last season, only missing out due to Chelsea's superior goal difference.
They will kick off the new WSL campaign against Miedema's former club Arsenal on September 22.
Robert Vilahamn has committed his future to Tottenham by signing a three-year contract to keep him at the club until 2027.
Vilahamn initially joined Spurs last year from Swedish side BK Hacken and enjoyed an impressive first campaign in charge.
He led Spurs to a top-six finish for just the second time in the Women's Super League and a first-ever FA Cup final, which they lost 4-0 to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
"To sign a new contract with the club feels amazing," Vilahamn told SPURSPLAY.
"My first contract here and moving to London was a big thing, but now I have been here, met people at the club, I feel the potential is a good match.
"I just want to stay and keep working to make sure this team are taking the steps to the top."
Spurs won eight of their 22 league games under Vilahamn last year, and went on an eight-match unbeaten run under him in all competitions in the first half of the season.
They will begin their next WSL campaign against Crystal Palace on September 22.
Chelsea will begin their Women's Super League title defence at home to Aston Villa, in what will be Sonia Bompastor's first match in charge.
The Blues claimed a record seventh title on the final day of last season, pipping Manchester City on goal difference, as Emma Hayes signed off in style.
Bompastor's Chelsea welcome Villa to Kingsmeadow on the weekend of September 21-22, and will conclude their campaign at home to Liverpool in May.
City's quest to go one better in 2024-25 starts in familiar surroundings for new signing Vivianne Miedema, who returns to former club Arsenal following her recent move away from the Gunners.
Manchester United face West Ham on the opening weekend with Liverpool hosting Leicester, while newly promoted Crystal Palace will play Tottenham and Everton travel to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Jamaica's senior Reggae Girl Chantelle Swaby is set to realise a lifelong dream of playing in the Barclay's Women's Super League (WSL), as she was signed by Leicester City on a free transfer.
Swaby, agreed to a two-year deal with Leicester City after her contract with French club FC Fluery expired recently.
The versatile player, who has been capped 38 times for Jamaica, is eager to hit the ground running at the King Power Stadium.
“It feels great to have signed for Leicester City. I’ve been wanting to come to the WSL for years now, but I just haven’t had the chance to, so I’m happy to be here and can’t wait to get started," she told the club website.
"I know this will be a really good experience and a great challenge for me, and I'm really excited. Playing as the home team at King Power Stadium will be a whole different experience, and I'm really looking forward to getting started with my teammates and meet the supporters,” Swaby added.
The 25-year-old made 33 appearances across two seasons and helped FC Fleury finish fifth in the French top-flight league last season. Prior to that, she represented American outfit Sky Blue FC and had a one-year stint with Rangers in the Scottish Women's Premier League, where she won the 2021–22 title.
Interestingly, Reggae Boy Bobby Reid was recently picked up by Leicester City's male team following their promotion to the English Premier League (EPL).
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Lucy Bronze on a free transfer.
The right-back signed a two-year deal following her departure from Barcelona at the end of her contract in June.
She won seven trophies during her time with the Catalan club, including the quadruple of the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina and the Supercopa de Espana Femenia last season.
Bronze made 70 appearances in two years at Barcelona, scoring four goals.
Speaking to Chelsea's media channels, Bronze said: "To know I'm a Chelsea player still feels a little bit surreal.
"It's obviously a club I know so much about and have done for such a long time. I'm really excited to be back in England. My family are so excited as well to get to more of my games.
"I'm excited to be in London, to see what the capital holds and to be at a club that is renowned for winning so many trophies."
Bronze has won every domestic honour in England during spells at Sunderland, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City, while she also won a league title and the Champions League during three years at Lyon.
The 32-year-old is the fourth signing under new manager Sonia Bompastor, who took over following Emma Hayes' departure. The club have also brought in Sandy Baltimore and Oriane Jean-Francois from Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Julia Bartel from Barca.
Mary Earps has left Manchester United ahead of her anticipated switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports emerged earlier this week that the England goalkeeper, who won FIFA Best awards in 2022 and 2023, would be joining PSG upon the expiration of her contract with United.
Earps joined United in 2019 and has played a key role in their rise up to the upper echelons of the women's game, and helped the club win their first piece of silverware when they thrashed Tottenham in the women's FA Cup final in May.
However, the 31-year-old has turned down a contract offer from United and is now destined to head to France.
Official confirmation of Earps' departure came on Saturday.
She marks the third big name to leave United this off-season, following captain Katie Zelem and forward Lucia Garcia.
Earps made 125 appearances for United in all competitions.
She played in all 22 of United's WSL matches last season, making 60 saves and recording a 65.2% save percentage.
Excluding own goals, Earps conceded 30 times in the competition in 2023-24, from an expected goals on target (xGoT) figure of 30.6.
Manchester United have confirmed the departure of captain Katie Zelem.
England international Zelem has spent six years with United, helping them gain promotion to the WSL in her first season.
Zelem has scored 32 goals in 161 appearances for the club, and led them to a maiden Women's FA Cup triumph in 2023-24.
However, she is now set for pastures new, with the 28-year-old joining forward Lucia Garcia in departing upon the expiration of her contract.
"Everyone at Manchester United would like to place on record their thanks to Katie for her excellent service and wish her the best of luck in the next phase of her career," a club statement read.
Zelem and Garcia do not appear to be the only big names who will be leaving United after the end of their current deals, with England goalkeeper Mary Earps reportedly set to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Everton have announced that Toni Duggan will leave the club when her contract expires at the end of this month.
The forward is departing after her second spell at the club, having started her career at Everton in 2007-08 before rejoining in July 2021.
She appeared in all but one of Everton's matches during her return season but missed the entirety of the second after going on maternity leave, but returned to action last October.
The 32-year-old initially broke into the first team at 16 years old and scored an extra-time winner against Watford to send Everton into the Premier League Cup final.
In her first spell, she was named FA Women’s Young Player of the Year in 2009 and went on to lift the FA Women's Cup the following year.
Duggan played 92 games for the Toffees over her two spells, scoring 29 goals.
Alan McTavish, Everton Women's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Everyone at Everton thanks Toni for her service and commitment to the club.
"From breaking into the senior team as a 16-year-old to winning the FA Cup, she can be very proud of her contribution to Everton.
"We wish Toni all the best for the future."
Duggan has also played for Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid while earning 79 England caps to date.
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has signed a new two-year deal until 2026, the club announced on Thursday.
Kerr, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the Women's Super League season, has scored 99 goals in 128 matches since joining from Chicago Red Stars in 2019.
The 30-year-old has played a huge role in the success of Emma Hayes' side in recent years, winning five consecutive league titles along with three FA Cups, two League Cups and the Community Shield.
During the 2022-23 campaign, Kerr scored 29 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions, making her 100th appearance for the Blues in the process.
The striker has not played since January because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury and has been ruled out of the Australia squad for this summer's Olympics in Paris.
"It’s really exciting and a very proud moment for me," Kerr said after putting pen to paper on her new deal. "Having the opportunity to stay at a club like Chelsea means a lot to me. I’m really excited to continue to push and to try to win trophies."
Since arriving in England, Kerr has claimed the Golden Boot twice and was runner-up to Spain's Aitana Bonmati at the Ballon d'Or awards last year.
Kerr would also become the first player to be awarded the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year prize twice in a row.
Arsenal have confirmed that Victoria Pelova has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on international duty with the Netherlands.
The 25-year-old, who scored two goals and provided seven assists during the 2023–24 Women's Super League campaign for the Gunners, is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days, but it is not the first time an Arsenal player has suffered an injury of this nature.
England pair Beth Mead and Leah Williamson were forced to miss the 2023 Women's World Cup, with Pelova's compatriot Vivianne Miedema also missing out on the tournament in Australia because of the same issue.
In a statement, Arsenal said: "Victoria was substituted after her knee extended in the 12th minute of the Netherlands' UEFA Women's Championship qualifier in Tampere, Finland, and subsequently underwent testing to determine the extent of the injury.
"She will undergo surgery in due course and will be sidelined for an extended period."
Pelova was one of the Gunners' most influential players during their third-place finish in the WSL, creating 30 chances from her 22 appearances, the third-highest in the squad behind Mead and Katie McCabe, as Arsenal finished third, while also winning the Women's League Cup.
ACL injuries have become a major problem for the women’s game and in April a new three-year project researching them was launched.
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