REFRESH. Chelsea rip it up and start again.

It was bound to happen. In her third season as head coach, Sonia Bompastor is carving out a new-look Chelsea in her own image.

After the hard times of 2025-26, she has great expectations ahead of this season. And, as Helen M Jerome reports, the Blues certainly haven’t been scrooge-like with their spending this summer.

As part of Chelsea’s forward planning, three of Emma Hayes’ four musketeers – veterans Millie Bright, Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten – have exited the Blues, leaving only Erin Cuthbert (below left), who takes over the captain’s armband. And there are new, younger musketeers coming through. Which could mean a less predictable, but possibly more entertaining season ahead.

By their own high standards, 2025-26 was underwhelming for Bompastor and Chelsea. They’d seemingly coasted to an undefeated league title and both domestic cups in her first season, without breaking sweat. Everything looked easy. But with only the league cup added to the trophy cabinet last time out, it was time for a rethink.

Line in the Sand

‘Been there, done that, got the t-shirt’ warrior Lucy Bronze simply won’t accept such an underwhelming season. She says the lack of silverware was a line in the sand moment. They have to be bigger and better this season. It’s a fresh start. A total refresh.

Bronze remains insatiable. Much like Bompastor. When I ask what keeps this Lioness hungry for more, when she’s won pretty much every award and title available, Bronze is typically no-nonsense.

“Obviously I’ve won a lot of trophies in my career,” she grins. “And when I started playing football, I did it because I loved it.

“I still love competing every day. My team lost today in training, and I was absolutely fuming. So it’s just instilled within me, being competitive, enjoying the game.

“I always think I’ve got one of the best jobs… well, I think I have the best job in the world. I get to go outside with my friends and kick a ball about.”

So if you thought Bronze might be about to hang up her boots anytime soon, think again. “That enjoyment, that competitiveness that’s inside me, I don’t think it’ll ever die,” she says. “I still love the game and the game loves me. So that’s what keeps me going every season.”

Coveted Title

The main aim – made slightly trickier by having to get through pesky qualifiers – is the Champions League title. Maybe Chelsea will take heart from Arsenal winning this coveted title through a similar, long and winding route the previous season. But it’s doubtful.

So the WSL will still be one of their top targets, but still just below the UWCL. And they will no doubt encounter some other recent Blues on their domestic and European adventures. For two of the other key departures are Johanna Rytting Kaneryd to Lyon and Niamh Charles to Man City, who had both become squad players rather than regulars, so understandably sought minutes elsewhere ahead of next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

They do, however, have a firm foundation to build on with fast-improving youngsters Chloe Sarwie, Lola Brown (above, centre) and Veerle Buurman (above, right). And, of course, the likes of England stars Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Aggie Beever Jones, and Keira Walsh.

On the left, Sandy Baltimore is always dangerous and Naomi Girma has grown into her role, even adding the odd goal. Wieke Kaptein and Sjoeke Nusken continue to thrive in midfield with Cuthbert. And if you feel the need, the need for speed, then look no further than Ellie Carpenter and Alyssa Thompson.

Future Proof

Major incomings: it’s hard to look further than the ‘controversial’ cross-town transfer of Ireland captain Katie McCabe from Arsenal (below, left), which certainly got tongues wagging and WOSO social media buzzing. She’ll certainly add some left-sided versatility, being comfortable as a full-back, centre half or even on the left in midfield – oh, and her dead ball delivery is excellent. Then there’s the electric French forward Melvine Malard (below, centre) who joins from WSL rivals Man United, bringing unpredictability and goals.

Just behind this duo are arguably the trio built not just for now, but for the future. Young Manaka Matsukubo was the NWSL’s outstanding midfielder at North Carolina Courage. Teenagers Nelly Las (above, right) and Giulia Dragoni join respectively from relegated Leicester City and serial Champions League winners Barcelona. All promise to get the Stamford Bridge (and Plough Lane) faithful up off their seats with their skill and audacity.

If I was a Chelsea fan, I would be extremely excited at the prospect.

Photos: Helen M Jerome