An apparent 800k deal with Barca!

It seems the women’s team are signing a good few names, maybe spending the budget for the men’s team! 👀

I think it’s actually closer to £400k, a few journalists have now backtracked on the price.

What a signing though!

A mixture of youth and experience in the women’s team, I wonder where else that strategy must be useful…🤔

More worried about the womens team then the men

What a stonking signing. Fantastic 

3 hours ago, POCH OUT said:

More worried about the womens team then the men

I think cause Paul Green is still there with the women's team and they didn't put a clown in there to run things. That and the board ain't bothered with them as it doesn't generate much money! Well, for now anyway! They'll probably want a player clear out in the summer!

I also think they 'sold' the women's team to a 'sister' company to swing balance the books!

2 hours ago, Mod said:

I think cause Paul Green is still there with the women's team and they didn't put a clown in there to run things. That and the board ain't bothered with them as it doesn't generate much money! Well, for now anyway! They'll probably want a player clear out in the summer!

I also think they 'sold' the women's team to a 'sister' company to swing balance the books!

No money in the women's game to make. 

Turnover was something like 13.2mill for the women's team last season. That nothing at all.

Still waiting for an announcement…

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/welcome-to-chelsea-keira-walsh

Chelsea is delighted to announce the arrival of Keira Walsh, with the illustrious midfielder signing a four-and-a-half-year deal from Barcelona.

The 27-year-old moves to London after two-and-a-half years in Spain where she added even more silverware to an already impressive list from her time in England with Manchester City and the Lionesses.

After putting pen to paper with the Blues, Walsh said: ‘It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy to be here and very excited to get started.

‘You look at the history of the trophies Chelsea have won and I’m an ambitious player and person, so for me, it is a good fit.

‘Speaking to Paul Green, Sonia and Camille, I just got such a good feeling from them. It has been really positive. I want to play for this club and fight for the badge.’

 

Walsh with head of women's football Paul Green

Head of women’s football Paul Green added: ‘Keira is a player who will add huge value to an already talented squad. She has vast experience at the highest level, winning major honours at both domestic and international level.

‘She is a composed defensive midfielder, with excellent technical attributes and world-class football intelligence. Her playing style and ability to dictate the tempo of the game will be crucial to our game model as we move forward.’

Walsh's senior career began with Blackburn Rovers before she joined Manchester City as a teenager in 2014. Her first campaign ended with her lifting City’s first major honour: the League Cup.

In 2016, she played a pivotal role as City claimed a domestic double, winning a first Women’s Super League title and FA Cup at Wembley.

 

 

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Keira Walsh joins the Blues! 💙

The England midfielder has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract after sealing a switch from Barcelona.

 

Walsh went on to lift the FA Cup twice more during her time in Manchester. She scored the opening goal against West Ham in the 2019 final and played the full match the following season when City defeated Everton.

After eight successful years in Manchester, Walsh joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022. In Spain, she won eight trophies, including six domestic triumphs and two UEFA Champions League titles.

On the international stage, Walsh has established herself as a key force for England since making her senior debut in November 2017.

She represented the Lionesses at the 2019 World Cup in France and played a vital role in their 2022 European Championship triumph. She was named Player of the Match in the final against Germany at Wembley and in the Team of the Tournament.

 

The midfielder has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal

In 2023, Walsh was part of the England team that reached the first women’s World Cup final where the Lionesses lost narrowly to Spain.

She also represented Team GB at the delayed 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, making three appearances before exiting at the quarter-finals stage.

Everyone at Chelsea is excited to welcome Keira to the club, and we look forward to seeing her impress in Chelsea blue.

Top player!

Who drops to the bench to make way for Walsh?

Depends how they set up with her in, possibly Kaptein or Nusken! I doubt anyone will be put in above Erin! But, I don’t see anyone dropped as such! She just adds more depth at a guess!

I see. I read elsewhere this morning that Nusken is the most likely to see reduced starts. But I also read an opinion that if Walsh continues her form from Barca this season it is she who’ll be making sub appearances.

I wonder if either Walsh or Girma will feature tomorrow.

Feels like we’re gearing up for a big CL push with these signings!

Talking about her debut. During the interview - the video is in the link - she spoke about the fans and mentions Basil.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/keira-walsh-reacts-to-her-chelsea-debut

It has been a whirlwind few days for Keira Walsh as the midfielder reflected on making her Chelsea debut just two days after signing for the club.

The Blues midfielder, whose arrival was announced on Friday evening, came on as a substitute in the 78th minute in our Women's Super League clash against Aston Villa and helped her new club claim a 1-0 win, with a late own-goal proving the difference.

'I'm very, very happy,' Walsh said. 'It was an intense game to come into, but you can see what this team is about. We managed to find a way to win. I'm just really happy to make my debut with these girls.'

 

 

Keira Walsh came on for her Chelsea debut in the 78th minute

 

Walsh added: 'It's been a bit of a whirlwind. I wasn't expecting to play today, so that was a really nice thing that I managed to come and get the win. Right now, I'm just really happy to be here.'

The win against Villa was the first time Walsh has played in the WSL for two-and-a-half years and the 27-year-old is delighted to be back playing club football in her home country.

'It was really good,' Walsh said. 'Just the familiarity of it and seeing all the fans. I'm so grateful that I got the opportunity to come to Chelsea and to come back to England.'

 

 

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Walsh on her Chelsea debut 🎤

Keira Walsh reacts after making her Blues debut during Chelsea Women's 1-0 WSL win against Aston Villa at Villa Park...

 

At Villa Park, Walsh got to play in front of the travelling Chelsea support for the first time. She was glad the Blues prevailed with a win for such a committed group of fans.

'They are a special group of fans,' Walsh said. 'It just shows how special these fans are and we got the job done for them.'

I think the idea was for Kaptein to go on loan but she’s done well enough to stay this season.

I’m pretty sure it will be Erin and Walsh plus one other on rotation.

With just these 2 it’s a serious midfield we’ve got.