3 Questions to answer as Chelsea Women begin training in Portugal

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Katerina Svitkova of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on October 30, 2022 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Getty Images) /

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KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Emma Hayes of Chelsea during the Game4Ukraine training session at Kingsmeadow on August 04, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. Legend Andriy Shevchenko, Arsenal player and Ukraine captain Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the support of President Zelenskyy’s UNITED24 initiative, will be joined by leading players and icons from the world of TV, sport, film and music in aid of Ukraine. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) /

2. Who is going to serve as the club’s third goalkeeper?

For some interesting reason, Hayes opted to take all four goalkeepers on the roster to pre-season training rather than sending one out on loan before. Considering the adjustment period it takes when entering a new club, it would make a lot of sense to get this decision out of the way sooner rather than later. Hannah Hampton was rumored to be linked with Brighton and Hove Albion on loan for the next campaign, but it has been all silent from that front over the last few weeks.

The No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the team seem locked in. Ann-Katrin Berger should begin the season as the starter with the standout from the World Cup Zecira Musovic pushing her the whole way for that top spot. Belgian shot stopper Nicky Evrard is probably the most likely candidate to stick around as the No. 3 due to her age.

Hampton, at just 22 years old would make use of another full campaign between the sticks at a WSL club or even somewhere in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. It is confusing why nothing has happened with less than a month before the season, but at some point a resolution needs to be made.

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