Plenty has changed over the summer in SW6, as Blues legend Emma Hayes started her new era with a bang after securing gold with the USA in the Paris Olympics. The backbone of Chelsea’s success over the past decade has left for pastures new, leaving big boots to fill as the Blues go in search of their sixth successive league title.

A new era is on the horizon, and if Chelsea’s pre-season results are anything to go by, Sonia Bompastor may just be the perfect person to ensure Stamford Bridge’s trophy cabinet gets a little fuller. 

To most, it was not a shock when the Blues announced the ex-Olympique Lyonnais boss as Hayes’ replacement. A former French international, the 44-year-old rose through the ranks at the club before taking charge of varying academy teams. Her move to first team management was quickly rewarded with trophies.

Though whether she can replicate that success in the capital city remains to be seen.

The highs and lows

Chelsea fans were put through something of an emotional rollercoaster last season. That infamous defeat at Molineux, which saw Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal lay their hands on the previously named Continetal Tyres League Cup, whilst sparking managerial attitude and action debates in the process, looked to be the start of Chelsea’s downfall.

Their first-ever defeat to Manchester United followed in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, and while Erin Cuthbert handed Barcelona their first home defeat in five years during the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final, celebrations were cut short in SW6 after catastrophic refereeing reduced the Blues to ten players before a late Barça comeback to knock Chelsea out of the European competition.

The cards hadn’t fallen in their favour. Hayes had seemingly been dealt an impossible deck. Chelsea fans simply had to laugh when they were defeated 4-3 by Liverpool just days after that European run collapsed; if they didn’t, they’d surely cry.

But Chelsea are inevitable, and an eight-goal victory over Bristol City put them on course to lift their fifth successive league title with a win against Manchester United on the final day. Revenge is sweet, and that earlier FA Cup defeat was all but forgotten come the full-time whistle at Old Trafford. Emma Hayes’ Chelsea were WSL champions once more.

The task ahead

For Sonia Bompastor, then, the task is simple: win.

It doesn’t need to be the WSL, nor does she need to end Chelsea’s lengthy wait for European silverware – though fans surely would have no objections if she did end that torrid curse. A domestic cup, be it at Wembley or elsewhere, will prove that the SW6-based side are on the right path once again.

The only indications as to how Bompastor is settling in have come in pre-season friendlies. Admittedly, results shouldn’t always be taken at face value, but their performances against NJ/NY Gotham and Arsenal during their tour of the United States were remarkably refreshing.

For the past season or two, Chelsea haven’t always been the most enjoyable team to watch. They’ve been inevitable – and while that’s great, it does get a tad boring every now and then. Under Bompastor, though, the Blues look exciting. It’s been a while.

Experienced additions and future-proofing

Lucy Bronze needs no introduction, and with the full-back having previously played under Bompastor at Lyon, she’ll need virtually no time to adjust to life under the former French international.

Elsewhere though, Chelsea’s transfer activity has flown somewhat under the radar despite an excellent window that has seen the Londoners replace high-profile departures with players able to slot straight into the starting eleven.

Fran Kirby has headed for the South Coast, Maren Mjelde has headed back to Norway, Melanie Leupolz has finally signed for Real Madrid after months of speculation, and Jess Carter has headed stateside to sign with NJ/NY Gotham FC. It’s a hefty chunk of the first team squad heading out of the doors at Cobham – yet Chelsea aren’t noticeably weaker for it.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Oriane Jean-Francois and Sandy Baltimore have come in to fill the voids in the midfield and the front line respectively, while Maelys Mpomé shores up the defence. Crucially, both players have thrived in the Première Ligue – formerly the D1 Arkema – that Bompastor knows so well.

Chelsea have future-proofed exceptionally well, too. One of Barcelona’s most talented academy prospects, Julia Bartel, has put pen to paper on a deal with the reigning WSL champions, while Louna Ribadeira and Veerle Buurman have been snapped up and loaned back out to gain experience elsewhere.

What can fans expect?

It’s so hard to look past the notion that Chelsea will, inevitably, suffer the growing pains of a team under a new manager. In previous years, perhaps there’d have been some breathing room in case of a mishap – but with Manchester City strengthening so well over the course of the summer, it’s almost impossible to call.

My money’s on a second-place finish though, behind City but just ahead of their London rivals in the Gunners.