Chelsea’s business in this transfer window means there is no doubting their ultimate goal this season: to win the Women’s Champions League.
Their deadline-day signing of Keira Walsh, coupled with the fact they paid a record $1.1 million (£890,000) fee for United States defender Naomi Girma, signals their intent to be crowned European champions for the first time.
The Women’s Super League club are understood to have paid Barcelona a fee in the region of €550,000 (£440,000) for Walsh, who was confirmed as a Chelsea player on Friday after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal.
The England midfielder was out of contract at the end of season and would have been a free agent, but Chelsea were determined to beat others to her signature and worked hard to agree a fee with Barcelona.
Walsh had been the subject of a record bid from Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal in September, but Barcelona refused to sell the star. The Spanish club were reluctant to sell Walsh this month, despite the fact she had made it clear she would not renew her contract at the end of the season, but eventually relented.
The 27-year-old won back-to-back European titles with Barcelona after joining from Manchester City for a then record fee of £400,000 in 2022 and brings a wealth of experience to a Chelsea side that is already packed with talent.
She said after signing her contract: “It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy to be here and very excited to get started.
“You look at the history of the trophies Chelsea have won and I’m an ambitious player and person, so for me, it is a good fit.
“Speaking to [head of women’s football] Paul Green, Sonia [Bompastor] and [assistant] Camille [Abily], I just got such a good feeling from them. It has been really positive. I want to play for this club and fight for the badge.”
Green added: “Keira is a player who will add huge value to an already talented squad. She has vast experience at the highest level, winning major honours at both domestic and international level.
“She is a composed defensive midfielder, with excellent technical attributes and world class football intelligence. Her playing style and ability to dictate the tempo of the game will be crucial to our game model as we move forward.”
It is fantastic business to sign Walsh and Girma, who has been described as the best defender in the world by former Chelsea and now US manager Emma Hayes, in the same window.
Both players will undoubtedly improve what is already an extremely strong squad. Chelsea topped their Champions League group with ease, winning every game, and are unbeaten in all competitions under manager Sonia Bompastor. They are seven points clear at the top of the WSL and look on course for a sixth straight title.
So, why the need to spend on new players? It is clear the additions of Girma and Walsh have been made with Europe in mind. Chelsea know that it will take a huge effort to beat Barcelona while continuing to compete on all fronts domestically.
There was a recognition that they needed to strengthen in the central defensive and midfield area, and the club has backed Bompastor by providing the funds to get two of the world’s best in those positions.
With an already healthy lead in the WSL, Chelsea’s signings could see them create a bigger gap between themselves and the rest of the division.
The next question is: if Chelsea are spending big, why are others not?
It is worth pointing out that Chelsea did not pay any huge fees during the summer window, with the likes of Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore joining on free transfers.
Arsenal have spent money this month, but their $100,000 (£80,000) signing of left-back Jenna Nighswonger and loan deal for Chloe Kelly is not in the same ballpark as Chelsea’s transfer dealings. Manchester City, meanwhile, signed Brazilian forward Kerolin on a free transfer.
While Arsenal were interested in signing Girma as well as Walsh, the club were never likely to enter a bidding war with Chelsea. Different clubs have different strategies and Chelsea have had a long-standing interest in both players and were prepared to pay the necessary fees in order to get them. Arsenal look to be more focused on building and developing a young squad.
City, meanwhile, have Lauren Hemp to come back from injury while Khadija Shaw is fit again and available for selection. Despite the signing of German defender Rebecca Knaak, the area where City are most light is centre-back. With Alex Greenwood sidelined with a knee injury, Knaak, Laia Aleixandri and Naomi Layzell, who is only just returning to fitness, are the options available to Gareth Taylor.
With the transfer window now shut, there is no doubting Chelsea are in the strongest position of any English team. Their task is now making sure their squad strength is utilised in Europe as well as it has been in the WSL.
