Five Chelsea stars up for FIFPRO Women’s World 11

In the programme for the game against Sunderland. An interview with the legendary Basil.

2 hours ago, Boyne said:

In the programme for the game against Sunderland. An interview with the legendary Basil.

Basil is the best thing about Chelsea.

Chelsea trio selected in FIFPRO Women’s World 11

Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton have been named in the 2025 FIFPRO Women’s World 11.

The Chelsea trio were joined on the 26-player shortlist by club team-mates Keira Walsh and Ellie Carpenter, with Bright, Bronze and Hampton’s selection in the final 11 making this our most successful year ever in the award’s tenth anniversary. It is voted for by professional players around the world.

Bright captained Chelsea to another domestic treble as we went the entire WSL season unbeaten. By the end of a historic campaign, Bright was top appearance maker with 36 games played as she continued to maintain exceptionally high standards as a defender and leader.

It is Bright’s third FIFPRO World 11 selection following on from 2020 and 2021.

Bright skippered us to yet more silverware last season

For Bronze, it is a record-breaking eighth appearance in the team, and a seventh in a row. Her first season at Chelsea ended with three pieces of domestic silverware, and it was her goal away to Manchester United that ensured the WSL title was ours.

She finished the campaign by starring in England’s triumph at Euro 2025, playing through the pain barrier to start every game at the tournament.

Bronze helped England win the Euros again

Bronze was joined in the Chelsea and England side by Hannah Hampton, who is the goalkeeper in the Women’s World 11 for the first time. She recorded 18 clean sheets in 34 appearances in all competitions for us, earning the WSL Golden Glove award and, even more impressively, the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the women’s game.

Her penalty saves in two shootouts in the European Championships, including in the final against Spain, were pivotal to the Lionesses’ dramatic retention of that trophy.

Hampton enjoying our FA Cup triumph after yet another clean sheet

Congratulations to Millie, Lucy and Hannah!

Happy 21st Birthday Alyssa.

Don't party too hard, big match tomorrow.

Probably not the right place to put this but I'm watching PSG Women vs Man Utd and this Jennifer Echegini looks the real deal. Big, strong, naturally athletic gait and movement and a powerful strike on her. She would be a welcome addition.

Represented their countries during the international break.

Looks like this photo was taken at the Emirates the other week.

Chelsea discover Women's League Cup quarter-final opponents

BBC Sport

Women's League Cup: Champions League teams set to miss co...

Teams who qualify for the league phase of the Women's Champions League will no longer participate in the League Cup, under new plans aimed at revamping the competition.

Teams who qualify for the league phase of the Women's Champions League will no longer participate in the League Cup, under new plans aimed at revamping the competition.

The format change is deemed necessary to help ease scheduling issues and to protect player welfare.

BBC Sport understands clubs voted in favour of the proposal to be introduced for the 2026-27 season, which still needs to be approved by the Football Association.

Teams from the top two divisions of women's football currently contest the competition.

Next year that number is set to increase following the expansion of the WSL to 14 teams.

Removing the teams who feature in the Champions League will help reduce the number of minutes of their players.

The Champions League expanded to 18 teams this season with more matches.

Manchester United, Chelsea and holders Arsenal are in the top European competition this season.

Under the proposals for the League Cup, a Swiss style league format will replace the current group stage, meaning all teams are ranked in a single league table with fixtures being dictated by region.

The knockout phase of the competition will remain the same, with the top eight teams in the league table qualifying for the quarterfinals.

League Cup matches will be played on the same nights that Champions League matches are due to be scheduled.

The proposals follow a WSL Football-led comprehensive consultation process with a competition working group, which included clubs and the Football Supporters' Association.

A bit off subject.

Sky Sports

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23 hours ago, Boyne said:

BBC Sport

Women's League Cup: Champions League teams set to miss co...

Teams who qualify for the league phase of the Women's Champions League will no longer participate in the League Cup, under new plans aimed at revamping the competition.

Teams who qualify for the league phase of the Women's Champions League will no longer participate in the League Cup, under new plans aimed at revamping the competition.

The format change is deemed necessary to help ease scheduling issues and to protect player welfare.

BBC Sport understands clubs voted in favour of the proposal to be introduced for the 2026-27 season, which still needs to be approved by the Football Association.

Teams from the top two divisions of women's football currently contest the competition.

Next year that number is set to increase following the expansion of the WSL to 14 teams.

Removing the teams who feature in the Champions League will help reduce the number of minutes of their players.

The Champions League expanded to 18 teams this season with more matches.

Manchester United, Chelsea and holders Arsenal are in the top European competition this season.

Under the proposals for the League Cup, a Swiss style league format will replace the current group stage, meaning all teams are ranked in a single league table with fixtures being dictated by region.

The knockout phase of the competition will remain the same, with the top eight teams in the league table qualifying for the quarterfinals.

League Cup matches will be played on the same nights that Champions League matches are due to be scheduled.

The proposals follow a WSL Football-led comprehensive consultation process with a competition working group, which included clubs and the Football Supporters' Association.

Quite surprising when already compared to the men’s game they play much less games. At least it gives someone else a chance to win it!

1 hour ago, Munkunku said:

Quite surprising when already compared to the men’s game they play much less games. At least it gives someone else a chance to win it!

Agreed. Last season they only played three games in the League Cup. As you say, they played fewer games in the men. I wonder what the players think of the change and could the women play more CL games. I think that there is a proposal to increase the number of teams in the WSL.

I wonder if the men's teams will follow suit and those in the CL don't play in the League Cup.

I reckon it's all down to who (governing bodies and broadcasters) who control the game and sod the fans.

That's Cat's 6th goal of 2025!

Vote for Chelsea duo to become USWNT Player of the Year!

Catarina Macario and Alyssa Thompson have been nominated for US Women's National Team Player of the Year and Blues fans have the chance to play their part by voting for the pair.

The fan vote will account for 15 percent of the overall tally, with the rest coming from US national team players that earned a cap in 2025, professional league coaches, media, U.S. Soccer board of directors and the Athletes’ Council.

Voting has already opened and will close on Friday 12 December at midnight ET, with the winners announced in January.

Macario and Thompson will be up against Arsenal defender Emily Fox, midfielders Sam Coffey of Portland Thorns and Gotham's Rose Lavelle.

When announcing the nominations, US Soccer explained: 'Catarina Macario leads the USWNT in scoring in 2025 with seven goals and two assists. In her best year for the US since coming back from a major injury, she has started nine games and has scored against Colombia, Brazil, China PR, New Zealand and Italy.

'This season she’s off to a good start for Chelsea with a pair of assists across eight league matches so far. Macario buried two goals in Chelsea’s UEFA Women’s Champions League 6-0 win over St. Polten, a match she started for the Blues.'

And on Thompson, added: 'Alyssa Thompson has been a consistent presence in the US attack in 2025, playing in all but two matches, scoring two goals with one assist.

'She started 2025 with Angel City FC in the NWSL before a September transfer to Chelsea FC in England. The forward finished second in scoring for the LA side despite not playing the full season.'

You can vote for Macario and Thompson to be USWNT Player of the Year by clicking here.

• Catarina Macario

• Alyssa Thompson

This was mentioned on the BBC news last night. Sonia was one of the interviewees. Staggering the amount of abuse that the Chelsea women's team has received and still receive. I wonder how much abuse is as a result of the over analysis of football e.g. replays and VAR. It would be interesting if for one weekend of football if no replays were shown and no analysis of the games was carried out by pundits and as a result there was a decrease in abuse. Can't see the broadcasters agreeing to that. Yes, we all get angry and frustrated with decisions, players, managers, tactics etc but no excuse for some of the abuse especially when there are death threats and suggesting rape. Ignorant cowards who make those sort of comments.

BBC Sport

Football abuse: Premier League and WSL stars targeted by...

More than 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts were sent about managers and players in the Premier League and Women's Super League in a single weekend, a BBC investigation finds.

No pics from yesterday when it was absolutely pissing down in Cobham!