Chelsea: Reigning WSL champions have unfinished business to attend to

Whilst the latest WSL title was awarded under unforeseen circumstances, Chelsea is on a mission to reclaim its crown without an unwarranted aid.

Winning a third Women’s Super League in five years should have been a moment of unrivaled joy and celebration for Chelsea. However, the champagne popping and red carpet rolling were met with understandable caution, having been awarded the title on a points-per-game basis after the season ended prematurely following the disruption caused by COVID-19.

After 15 matches, Emma Hayes’ side was a point adrift of leaders Manchester City, having played a game less. Chelsea had gone undefeated up until that moment, whilst City had fallen twice before the abrupt suspension and eventual closure in late May. On this basis, the Blues leapfrogged into first place as the trophy returned to Kingsmeadow.

It seemed befitting that Chelsea’s most recent victory in the league came against City, winning 3-1 in a fixture between two of the country’s most revered outfits and rivals. Maren Mjelde, Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby ensured the three points for the hosts, simultaneously denting the visitors’ hope of scaling back to the summit of the pile, a feat Man City has failed to achieve since 2016.

Hayes witnessed her team dominate and control throughout the afternoon, in the face of an opponent packed with a wealth of international stars. Chelsea has now gone 25 league games without tasting defeat and shows no signs of slowing down in pursuit of ultimate glory.

The Blues’ next two matches could potentially decide the title swing: Everton at home and Arsenal away. Chelsea has already met the former, currently first in the division, thrashing the Gunners 4-1 in its defense of the Continental Tyres Cup. Prior to these priceless clashes, the Blues have a London Derby to distract them, welcoming Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup.

If they can go through November unscathed, Chelsea will have sent a harrowing message to the rest of the division that its pursuit of a fourth championship will not be interrupted. This should have been made evident when the Blues notched nine past Bristol City. Some may argue this is not beneficial for the sport, highlighting the disparity between the rich and the poor, particularly as Arsenal put West Ham to the same fate just a day earlier. However, Chelsea will only view it as a demonstration of its desire to win the league ‘properly’. Plus, there were little to no complaints when the Manchester City men put eight past Watford last campaign.

Chelsea managed nine different goalscorers on that sunny September Sunday, signaling the unity amongst a squad that has chopped and changed since Hayes took over in 2012. One of those to bag on the day was Pernille Harder, the Danish international and UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, who cost the Blues a world-record fee at the beginning of last month. Kerr, another goalscorer and renowned global star of the sport, was also added to the team 12 months in advance of Harder, as Hayes continues to bolster her already efficient strike force.

Add to that the return of the long-term absentee Kirby, the brilliance of Bethany England and the energy of Erin Cuthbert, Chelsea has assembled a forward line worthy of matching any in Europe. Line that up with the Blues’ sturdy rearguard—just 13 league goals conceded since the start of 2019/20—and Hayes has all the ingredients for a recipe of success.

Chelsea is completely concentrated on winning the WSL on its own terms. Hayes’ side is a force to be reckoned with, and only another unfortunate interference will halt its progress.