Sonia Bompastor has lauded Katie McCabe as ‘calm’ and ‘composed’ after the Ireland captain put in a ‘strong performance’ to beat her former club.
Chelsea beat Arsenal 1-0 thanks to a strike from Alyssa Thompson late in the first half which lifted the Blues to third in the Barclays Women’s Super League table.
After the massive victory, Sonia Bompastor spoke to the media at Stamford Bridge and The Halfway Line was present to hear from her.
Sonia Bompastor says ‘boos’ gave McCabe an ‘extra boost’
Katie McCabe played exceptionally well against her former club on Sunday afternoon, helping her new side to a clean sheet while also keeping Arsenal’s attacking talents quiet.
While Arsenal fans booed her, Chelsea fans cheered. Sonia Bompastor was asked for her thoughts on McCabe’s display,
“No, I think it’s [McCabe’s performance] probably something we need to mention” Bompastor said earnestly. “Because that’s never easy for a player who played so many years in her former club to face her former club and be able to put that strong performance.
“I think Katie is probably one of those characters where people start to boo her, gives her an extra boost and motivation. So probably they should have kept quiet not to motivate her more than what she was already!
“But in those aspects, I think like I’ve never seen a lot of players were able to be coming into this game with being calm, composed, and being able to deal with a lot of emotions. So well done to her. A lot of credit to her. And again, I think the way she performed helped the team for sure to keep the clean sheet, but also to get a good result.”
Bompastor ‘didn’t want to take risks’ with Lauren James
Lauren James was omitted from both the past two Chelsea squads but started against Arsenal today, coming off in the sixth minute. The Halfway Line asked Bompastor about Lauren James’s fitness, and whether sixty minutes was always the plan after the taliswoman was a doubt to face Arsenal,
“We knew because she got knocked in training, we didn’t want to take any risks because this game was coming” Bompastor said. “Sometimes, what is difficult for a head coach is every game is important because when you think about rotating, managing the squad, you need to make sure, mainly you win the game.
“So, from the information I had from the medical team from the beginning, I knew we were going to prepare LJ [Lauren James] to start this game, and it was a great news. So, again, having 60 minutes was probably a good plan because she didn’t play since one week.
“She didn’t stay off [training] for a long time, but I think maybe she couldn’t still work the way she would have liked to. So, 60 minutes was good, and she brought her contribution to the game.”
Sonia Bompastor ‘wishes’ Lexi Potter ‘could be French’
At this early stage of the season Lexi Potter already looks an early shout for Young Player of the Season. Potter was excellent partnering with Keira Walsh in midfield again today. Bompastor was asked for her thoughts on the England starlet,
“What I can say right now” Bompastor beamed. “It’s like I was also really happy with Lexi last season. Probably she didn’t get as many opportunities as this season, but for her age, being able to be consistent the way she’s been performing, I think it’s great.
“I think probably people were also looking forward to this game to see in this big occasion if she was able to repeat and to sustain the performance, and I think she proved that today.
“So yeah, it’s great news for us, great news for her, but for a player as young as her, being able to bring that impact into the game, out of possession, in possession-it’s really good, great news for England. Yeah, I wish he could be French!”
