RELENTLESS. Birmingham City will not let up.

Midfielder Chelsea Cornet is in her second season with the Blues, and has already helped propel Birmingham City up WSL2 and into the WSL as champions.

Now they’ve had a break, regrouped and refreshed, she reckons they are ready to take on this new challenge. And they will be utterly relentless, as Cornet exclusively reveals to Helen M Jerome.

Crowned worthy champions of WSL2 after their fantastic late surge, Birmingham City started their summer recruitment late but have quickly assembled a squad bristling with exciting youth and a couple of older and wiser heads from Manchester United.

We already know the tried and tested brilliance of Simone Magill, Oceane Hurtre (below), Lee Geum-Min and Veatriki Sarri, plus the mid-season signing Asato Miyagawa. And now they have reinforcements all over the pitch.

Key transfers in: Millie Turner and Lisa Naalsund from Man United – with Turner immediately appointed club captain; Jade Rastocle and Marie Levasseur from Montpellier; Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre; Japanese midfielder Suzu Amano from Växjö DFF, plus two new keepers, Katie Startup from Man City and Sophie Baggaley from Brighton.

Alongside Crystal Palace and Charlton, the Blues are going to find it quite a step up in quality in the WSL, where every match is a challenge and every team boasts a bench overflowing with talent.

In Amy Merricks, however, City have a young, progressive head coach not afraid to make changes and even regroup mid-match. And she is assembling a flexible squad who will always fight to the end, while bringing in new fans too.

To get the inside track on what to expect, we spoke to Scottish midfield star Chelsea Cornet, who played every single game of the 2025-26 season in WSL2. And she is not just looking forward to her second season with the Blues, but positively relishing the prospect.

How can you take City’s amazing form at the end of last season into the WSL?

It’s definitely focusing on carrying that momentum that we had towards the end of last season.

And the new additions have definitely brought that with them as well.

They’ve brought a new energy, which is amazing.

And we just need to keep that positivity around the environment, training, pre-season friendlies.

We’re raring to go.

We’ve worked really hard during pre-season.

And yeah, we just want the league to start now and get it kicked off.

When you look at the WSL, which is really strong now, what challenges and differences do you anticipate?

Yeah, it’s definitely going to be a big challenge.

We’re well aware of that as a whole squad, but it’s one that we’re really, really excited for.

At the start of last season, we set out our aim to go and get promotion and ultimately win the league as well.

So, yeah, this has been in our sights and we’re really looking forward to all the challenges.

We know it’s going to be difficult, but it’s challenges that as football players and as a squad you want to face.

And have you – for yourself and for the club – set targets and expectations?

Yeah, it’s something that we’ve been focusing on – team values and what we want from each other as teammates, but staff as well… making sure that we’re aligned on them and that we can carry them within training and into games.

Do you set yourself as a midfielder, a number of assists, even goals each season?

I definitely set goals individually that I’ll maybe take to staff members, tech staff members, whoever that I need to go to there.

But I keep them under wraps and just work away, chip away individually on it.

And if it’s not coming off, then I’ll see what I can do, what more I can do to better that, to reach that aim and that goal.

But equally, if I feel I’m reaching it quicker than maybe anticipated, then I’ll see what I can add to make that challenge greater for myself.

If you were selling yourself to somebody, what would you say are your qualities as a midfielder?

This is always the worst part; I hate talking about myself…

But qualities as a midfielder for me are being open…

I’m massively open to learning.

I would say I’m coachable on the pitch.

I work hard.

I’m aggressive.

I like to put a challenge in.

I like to get stuck in there.

Yeah, I like to represent Birmingham and wear the strip with pride.

Every time I step on the pitch at St Andrews, that’s what I remind myself of: I’m fighting for this club and for this strip and I give 110%.

So yeah, I’d say they’re my main qualities.

How would you describe Birmingham City’s style as a team?

Relentless.

Overall, the one word that comes to my mind is 100% relentless from the day I came in.

The standard set from both coaches and players in training and games has been relentless throughout and consistently that, which I think is most important.

And I’ve enjoyed my time further.

Being here and thriving in that environment.

But yeah, I would say that Birmingham as a club is relentless.

Are you going to be vice-captain this season?

I’m unsure.

Me personally, I think anyone can lead the team.

I think you need a team of leaders in order to work well as a squad.

And that can look differently for everyone.

Some people might be more vocal.

Some people might lead by their actions.

But I think everyone has that potential to be a leader.

You seem quite an open personality. So I wonder if part of your role is welcoming new players?

Yeah, I am an open book.

Obviously there’s certain things that I keep to myself, but it’s always things that I maybe think are greater for the team.

I introduce myself to every player that comes in.

Just make them feel comfortable, make them feel at home, at ease, especially with international players that come in.

I know how hard it can be.

I moved away from home as well.

I know it’s not half as far as some of the girls, but it’s definitely not easy.

So if I can make them feel comfortable and appreciated, then I’ll try my best to do that.

What can you learn from some of the new teammates? I’m thinking particularly of the duo who’ve come from United, Millie Turner and Lisa Naalsund.

Yeah, loads!

They bring a vast amount of experience to the team, which is amazing and experience in the league as well, which is only going to help us.

They are a great addition, a massive addition for us.

And a duo, like you say, that we’ll definitely use to our benefit.

There’s a couple I don’t know much about, but you signed them both from Montpellier. Jade Rastocle, who’s French, and a Canadian called Marie Levasseur, who can obviously play together. What have you seen so far that tells you what we can expect from them?

Yeah, all good things.

Really positive players on the ball; they like to think forward, which is massive to the way we play.

Came into pre-season, they fitted in so well, really nice people, which is the main thing for us.

They just became part of the family as such straight away.

The last one you guys signed is an exciting young player, Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre.

I think we’ve seen her a bit because she’s been playing for France’s youth teams.

So what sort of qualities will she bring? Because it feels like she might be exciting.

Yeah, of course.

Actually, she’s still been going through typical check-ups and everything.

So as yet, we’ve not seen her training yet.

Still going through everything.

But I’ve heard many good things.

Speed being one of them.

I’ve heard she’s extremely quick.

So I look forward to trying to keep up!

We’re really excited to get her on the pitch, working away and chipping away with the girls.

She’ll be like a French version of Alyssa Thompson then.

Yeah, basically.

That’ll be amazing.

For anyone who hasn’t watched City before, who should we particularly look out for… apart from you?

You put me up there, that’s impressive!

Lily Crosthwaite (below), superstar.

Fast, again, rapid, yeah!

She cleared the floor with awards last season, so definitely one to look out for.

And how can you surprise some of the WSL teams?

I think we’re just really looking to thrive on the challenges that we’re going to face.

We know that we’ll be seen as underdogs, but we’re looking to use that to our advantage.

Yeah, we want to perform.

We want to go and showcase ourselves and our creativity and positivity on the pitch.

So yeah, it’s challenges, but it’s challenges that we’re definitely not afraid of.

And like I’ve said, just so excited to get started and to show everyone what we’re capable of.

This is where you can sell the club, and tell me why new fans should come and watch Amy Merricks’ Blue and White Army?

The fans play a massive part in our games, and that was evident in last season’s fixtures as well.

But not just that, we love interacting with the fans, making sure that they feel part of it.

We need as many fans as we can get there.

The more fans, the noise that you create is so valuable to us.

I know the saying that fans are the 12th man, and honestly they really are because when times are tough and you hear the fans roar, it instantly gives you a boost.

I would just say that our relationship with the fans is: we want you to feel valued and a part of it.

And that’s massive for us as a club.

So, yeah, if I can get more fans along, it would be unbelievable.

Finally, how can your Scottish form and club form dovetail and help each other?

I think it’s massive.

If you’re performing well at club, then it’s hard for a national manager to not include you.

And playing for Scotland is massive to me.

It means everything pulling on that jersey.

To put them hand in hand is huge, and the relationship between club and country is a positive one as well.

So hopefully I’ll continue playing well here.

Club is obviously a priority, until you go away with Scotland or your national team.

But if I can continue the run of form I was on, then I’m sure I’ll be all good for going away with the national squad.

Photos: Birmingham City Women