Chelsea Women: How did the Blues’ loanees across England fare this season?

Emma Thompson

Club: Lewes

Last season in the FA WSL Academy League, Emma Thompson was one of the most potent strikers in the Southern Division. 17 goals in just 15 contests made it clear that she needed the challenge of senior football. In the summer of 2022, Thompson signed a two-year contract with the west Londoners with an option for an additional year.

The English youth international went out in loan to Championship club Lewes to help acclimate herself to the senior game. In 24 games between both the league and cup competitions, Thompson started in 13 while scoring four goals in the process. The Rocks’ No. 11 started in the club’s first three matches of the campaign, but after the east Sussex outfit only mustered two goals combined in those contests, she started in just one out of the next six contests.

The promising forward would go on to net two goals in the second group stage match of the Conti Cup in a 4-1 triumph over Crystal Palace. Eight days after the new year, Thompson continued her goal-scoring form in cup competitions, netting two first half goals against London Bees in the third round of the FA Cup.

Throughout that match, the Chelsea Women loanee was a constant threat which included her earning herself a spot kick by way of a direct run into the penalty area. In February, Thompson played the role of distributor, finding Ellie Mason in behind the Cardiff City defense with a nicely weighed pass for the second of six goals in the Rocks’ FA Cup fifth round triumph.

From then on, there was not much to write home about for Thompson. She contributed in just 45 minutes in the final nine fixtures for the club including an FA Cup clash against Manchester United in which she failed to make it on the pitch. For a first campaign on loan, Thompson expectingly experienced both ups and downs. Her immaturity showed at times, but when given the chances in cup matches, Thompson looked bright.