Chelsea enter the 2026-27 Women’s Super League season in transition after a comparatively disappointing campaign in which they won only the League Cup. Major departures, including Millie Bright’s retirement and several established players moving abroad or to rivals, have left Sonia Bompastor rebuilding a squad and culture while trying to restore a sustained title challenge.

Bompastor has recruited Katie McCabe, Melvine Malard, Giulia Dragoni, Manaka Matsukubo and Nelly Las, and faces her third full season with Chelsea after winning four trophies in two years. The club’s turnover rose to £21.3m in 2024-25, though its after-tax loss increased to £17.1m, partly reflecting the £12.08m Kingsmeadow purchase; Guardian writers collectively predict a third-place finish.