On a chilly winter afternoon in East London, Chelsea put on a five-star display beating West Ham 5-0 and rubber stamping their title credentials and confirming that they are just as strong in 2025 as they were in 2024. The French head coach at the helm Sonia Bompastor continues to impress on these shores as she did in Lyon. The Halfway Line spoke to Bompastor after the match.
Chelsea head coach delighted with ‘quality’ evident in Chelsea win
Chelsea were completely dominant throughout their victory today, scoring twice early in the first half, leaving West Ham with too much to do to get back into the match. Bompastor was asked for her thoughts on the match as a whole and how happy she was with the performance from her side, she replied:
“We played with intensity from the beginning and we were able to score quickly, which makes a big difference when you play against these type of teams. When you are efficient and you don’t give any hope to your opposition, that’s why you make the game look easier. I need to give credit to my players, they made the right start. I really enjoyed watching my team play and scoring some great goals. We created a lot of opportunities and different players scored different goals, it shows all the quality I have in my squad.”
Bompastor praises ‘leader’ Cuthbert on 250th Chelsea match
The Halfway Line got the chance to ask Sonia Bompastor if she was running out of positive words to describe Erin Cuthbert on her 250th game for Chelsea, she laughed “Yes, that’s true especially with my vocabulary in English! But, she had again a great performance today, She has a big impact in the team.”
Cuthbert had a fantastic game topping off her performance with a goal, her head coaches praise was well placed, Bompastor continued, “She is one of the leaders in this team and she shows that every day, on the pitch and outside the pitch. I am really pleased to have her in my team and to have her as a player.”
Lauren James ‘unwell’ confirms Bompastor
Some eyebrows were raised when the Chelsea team sheet was released and Chelsea number 10 Lauren James was not on it. Bompastor was able to confirm why James was missing reporting, “LJ was feeling unwell, this is why she was not involved in the squad for this weekend.” It remains unclear whether James will be fit for their next game against Durham in midweek in the Subway League Cup.
Bompastor hails Baltimore as “One of the best in the world”
The Halfway Line asked Bompastor about Sandy Baltimore, who played in her preferred left wing position today having played much of the season at left back prior to today. Baltimore was essential in the victory for Chelsea scoring a wonder goal, and popping up all over the pitch and attacking and defensive positions.
Bompastor explained, “If you ask Sandy, for sure she will answer being a left winger is her favourite position but she has the quality to play both positions in the left corridor. She works hard, she has the right mentality and she has a lot of quality as a player. She is technical, she is able to create a lot and dribble 1-v-1. She has a big impact on the team, but she’s also surrounded by good players, who make her look good as well. I’m really pleased to have Sandy in my squad. I’ve known her for quite a long time now and she is improving every season. Coming to the WSL she is showing she’s one of the best in the world.”
Bompastor praises ‘the right mentality’ of captain Bright
Victory for Chelsea today meant that Millie Bright has now been on the winning side in the WSL more than any other. While Chelsea were rarely threatened at the back Bright looked exceptionally confident when called upon and Bompastor was asked to speak about her captain, she beamed, “I am really pleased for her. She really deserves it. It shows the quality of Millie and being consistent in a career for her makes the difference between the good players & the really high-level athletes.”
Bompastor continued, “She is a really high level athlete. She is the leader of this team and this club, and she has the right mentality, bringing everyone with her on the pitch and outside the pitch.”
Next up for Chelsea is Durham in the Subway League Cup before welcoming second place Arsenal to Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
