Ladies’s soccer is reaching new heights, and this winter switch window is more likely to proceed to interrupt data.
It is not going to shock followers that on the coronary heart of this information is Chelsea, because the Blues proceed to drive requirements and innovation within the girls’s recreation.
In accordance with widespread stories, Chelsea are getting ready to smashing the switch document, and they’ll do this to signal a defender.
That participant is Naomi Girma, the San Diego Wave and United States star, with Chelsea poised to pay round a $1.1 million payment.
The defender has been in scorching demand since taking part in a pivotal function within the USWNT’s success on the Olympics final summer time, and the 24-year-old had been described by former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, who’s now in command of the USA, in extraordinarily complimentary phrases.
“She’s the most effective defender I’ve ever seen,” Hayes mentioned after her aspect’s semi-final victory in opposition to Germany on the 2024 Olympics.
With reward from arguably among the finest coaches of all time, there’s little shock she has demanded such a excessive determine.
To offer some context, this payment will simply surpass the present world document switch payment set by Bay FC when signing Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF in February 2024 for $860,000.
By way of a payment paid by an English membership, this might smash the document by an excellent greater margin. Chelsea signed Colombia striker Mayra Ramirez final January for €450,000 (price round £384,000 on the time) plus as much as €50,000 in add-ons. Girma’s switch can be greater than double that of her new team-mate.
However what makes Naomi Girma so particular, and why have European giants akin to Chelsea and Lyon been combating it out for her signature?
A Shining Gentle of the Stars and Stripes
Regardless of the USWNT recording their worst-ever end at a World Cup in 2023 and being knocked out within the final 16 by Sweden, there was a glimmer of sunshine for the aspect on the match. A younger Girma performed in her first World Cup and was a part of a defence that allowed only one purpose at that match throughout the 4 90 minutes they performed.
That yr, she was named the 2023 USWNT participant of the yr and her impression on the nationwide staff has continued to be key for brand spanking new boss Hayes and, particularly, the staff’s spectacular success in Paris, after they gained the gold medal.
All match success is constructed on a strong defence, and the USWNT actually displayed their defensive fortitude in Paris. They conceded simply two objectives throughout the whole match, the joint-fewest by any staff, whereas additionally recording a tournament-high 4 clear sheets.
USA ended the match with three consecutive clear sheets, changing into the primary staff in Olympic historical past to not concede a purpose within the quarter-finals, semi-finals and last.
Key to their success was Girma, who racked up probably the most minutes (600) of any participant within the match, along with her significance that means Hayes ensured she performed each minute obtainable.
The 24-year-old had additionally performed so within the 2023 World Cup and, throughout the 2 main tournaments, has helped the staff to maintain seven clear sheets in her 10 matches.
In Paris, she was primary within the rankings for making extra passes (610), carries (200) and clearances (31) than another participant on the match, whereas additionally having the most effective go accuracy (95.0%).
What Girma has delivered to the NWSL
There was a lot anticipation and buzz across the younger defender forward of the 2022 NWSL draft.
She was chosen as the primary choose by the San Diego Wave, a prestigious honour, establishing a fierce popularity for a participant who would swiftly grow to be one of many league’s greatest defenders.
From her NWSL debut in Could 2022 till the tip of the 2024 season, Girma gained probably the most possession within the defensive third (304), and made the joint-most progressive ball carries (548).
In truth, she ranked among the many prime 4 for blocks (55 – third), clearances (287 – second) and profitable passes (3213 – fourth), sustaining a strong stage of efficiency all through her time within the competitors.
Girma has been named NWSL Defender of the 12 months on two events, in 2022 and 2023 respectively, serving to the San Diego Wave to win the NWSL Defend within the latter below ex-Manchester United boss Casey Stoney.
In 2024, she continued her strong performances for the Wave, ending with the most effective passing accuracy of any participant to aim 600+ passes, finishing 91.4% (1328/1453). She additionally ranked within the prime ten within the league for whole clearances with 95.
Over the course of the season, she appeared in 20 matches, taking part in 1,715 minutes, rating among the many prime 5 gamers within the league for blocks, having made 22, and duels gained, successful 63.9%.
Her time on the San Diego Wave has led to their collective success, and she or he can be hoping to duplicate that as she strikes to Chelsea.
Why do Chelsea want her?
Sonia Bompastor and Chelsea are on the lookout for winners as they try and do what no different English aspect has performed since Arsenal gained the Quadruple in 2007.
Chelsea are at the moment unbeaten in all competitions and have regarded unstoppable this season.
Even below Hayes, the Ladies’s Champions League alluded them, however including Girma to their ranks of superstars could possibly be the ultimate piece of the puzzle, particularly after beating continental rivals Lyon to her signature.
Her arrival comes at a very good time too – Chelsea, like all WSL golf equipment, have misplaced main gamers to ACL accidents and the lack of Kadeisha Buchanan after a brilliant begin to the season does go away the Blues brief on high quality in that space of the pitch.
Chelsea do at the moment boast among the finest defensive data within the WSL, conceding the second-fewest objectives (six) and maintaining the second-most clear sheets (seven, behind Arsenal), so Bompastor can be hoping their fast transfer so as to add defensive cowl will maintain that intact.
Girma offers further qualities to enhance her new team-mates like Lucy Bronze and Millie Shiny. Her clever positioning, power and skill to learn the sport in entrance of her while additionally exhibiting uncooked athleticism will give them a further layer to their defence.
With the video games now coming quick and thick in all competitions, it’s a well timed addition to make sure they continue to be in management within the WSL, with their lead at the moment six factors over Arsenal, forward of their huge top-of-the-table conflict this weekend.
However make little doubt about it, such a big switch is a transfer they hope can present that elusive Champions League crown and begin a brand new period of success below Bompastor.
With large momentum below new coach Bompastor and a few main muscle within the defence with confirmed winners akin to Bronze, Shiny and now Girma, this could possibly be their yr in Europe.
