With just about a week left in the Women’s Super League transfer window, Emma Hayes has even more time to add further quality to a team that received a massive jolt in the last few months.
From signing another confident defender in Kadeisha Buchanan to loaning out some of its best young talent like Jorja Fox, the Chelsea Women has put together a window so far that has solidified its mission to take its success beyond just the WSL and domestic competitions.
Rumors are floating around Europe of PSG captain Grace Geyoro, and even Belgian international Nicky Evrard coming in to provide some depth to the goal-keeping unit following the statement released by Ann-Katrin Berger. There are no teams in the WSL and few in the continent of Europe that possess the amount of talent at each level of the pitch the Blues have. Despite having such a successful window, the one trait about Hayes that remains constant continues to be her ability to always see another level.
Following the win against Spurs at Kingsmeadow in the preseason, Hayes expressed her thoughts on the new season on the horizon, stating:
"“‘I am so excited…I really hope the place is packed – no pressure! – because I want the fans to enjoy this team as much as I do…The new signings have all settled. That’s the important thing. We have to be patient with all of them. The players that have been here the longest drive the standards and the players coming into the club have all been well received. They have all done everything they can to fit into our way of playing.” She continued by stating, “Now we just have to get ready and make sure everybody is pushing to be in the starting line-up…Every week is going to be so difficult for me to pick a team because every one of these players deserves to start.” ChelseaFC.com"
It is not just the first team players, Chelsea has sent out two of its promising young players so far to a fellow WSL foe, along with its talented academy striker, Emma Thompson going out on loan to Lewes FC in the Championship. 19-year-old goalkeeper Emily Orman could potentially get some time in between the sticks for the Blues, or with the Evrard rumors she could find her way into a loan to get some much-needed experience.
Youth is becoming as important as the first team for Hayes, knowing that the only way to sustain success at the top is to invest in some of the most gifted stars in the youth game. Just eight years ago, the Chelsea Women did not possess a major trophy, and now Hayes has made this club five-time WSL champions.
The constant drive to build a winning team and maintain success season after season is something the world of football needs to appreciate while it’s here. She signed Ji So-yun before success at Chelsea was a formality, and stole Pernille Harder for record money from another Champions League contender in the fall of 2020.
Hayes made her presence known by securing a deal for arguably the most clinical striker in the world, Sam Kerr, just two years ago. Hayes never rests in her hunt to take Chelsea to the highest point a European club can go. This transfer window is just another example of that. From adding some creativity, and strength in the midfield and out on the flanks to bringing in a centerback to pair with Millie Bright, the only real problem for Hayes is figuring out the formation and who to start.
Surrounding the eventful European Championships, and the many preseason tournaments in women’s football, Chelsea put together one of the most historic summers this sport has ever seen. The amount of investment the new ownership group is putting in women’s football is setting the precedent that this game is worth putting more dollars than ever before into it because massive success follows in its footsteps. August marked the 10 years that Hayes has been with Chelsea, and these past few months are the true example of how far this club has come since her arrival.
The Blues nailed down some of its most crucial players to long-term deals including Millie Bright, and Guro Reiten amid the amount of talent brought into the squad for a potential Champions League push. Last season’s exit in the Champions League group stage on the road to Wolfsburg must have been in Hayes’ mind for the rest of that season. The Blues ended up winning the league and cup double and came out ready to spend the cash to put them into the conversation with Barcelona and Lyon in Europe. So far Chelsea has confirmed six new signings following the Serbian international and former Rosengard midfielder Jelena Cankovic agreeing to a three-year deal just two days before the Blues cruised to a 2-0 victory over its London rivals Tottenham.
That number should go up a few more within the next few days before the window comes to a close on September 8. Whether it be adding Geyoro for a record fee to the midfield or a goalkeeper for security, the fact of the matter is that Hayes created a team where it is difficult to pinpoint weaknesses. When she sees a flaw, she fills it. The Blues needed a player that has won a Champions League before and some depth when the club has the goal of fighting for a trophy in each competition, Hayes found a way to fix both of those issues. While the Chelsea men’s team is done making moves after a hectic summer, Hayes no doubt has something up her sleeve with the time running out.
With a season that is bound to be as successful as the last, it is time to take a second to truly bask in the work Hayes has done through the years in charge of this club. From playing matches at Stamford Bridge to competing in nearly every final to most importantly signing top-level talent, the CFC Women have come quite a long way since Hayes decided to move from working in her family business in London to the sideline at Kingsmeadow.