Girma and Walsh can be Chelsea’s key cogs in pursuit of European glory

Elusive European title closer with the arrival of stars and enough talent for two formidable starting XIs

Have Chelsea built a team capable of winning the Champions League? The short answer is yes. The longer context is that their burning desire for European glory is no secret. It was the only trophy missing from their cabinet under Emma Hayes. The 2020-21 finalists have spent years focusing on what they believed it would take to bridge a gap to Lyon caused primarily by the gap in investment. Now, with the French club hunted down by Barcelona, who have won the Champions League three times in the past four years, the focus has expanded.

How to do it, though? In the 2020-21 final Chelsea were swept aside, conceding four times in 36 minutes to a Barcelona team fuelled by the pain of a not dissimilar defeat by Lyon two seasons before in their first final. Hayes’s team did not follow a similar path, though. After their first final the gap seemed to get bigger, an anomaly season when they failed to escape the group stage in its introductory year being followed by back-to-back semi-final exits at the hands of Barça.

Topics

Chelsea sign England star Walsh from Barcelona

Chelsea have announced the signing of England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona, with sources telling ESPN the deal is worth around €550,000 ($572,000).
ESPN - 1d
Chelsea sign England midfielder Walsh from Barcelona

Chelsea sign England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona.
BBC News - 1d
Chelsea agree deadline-day deal for Barca's Walsh

Chelsea agree late deal for England international Keira Walsh to join on the Women's Super League's transfer deadline day.
BBC News - 3d
Why Chelsea arrival Girma is so good - Asante

In Anita Asante's latest BBC Sport column, she looks at why Chelsea's new arrival Naomi Girma was worth a world record transfer fee.
BBC News - 5d
USWNT's Girma completes record Chelsea move

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of United States defender Naomi Girma for a world record fee on a long-term deal from San Diego Wave.
ESPN - 6d
Chelsea boss: USA's Girma will have 'big impact'

Sonia Bompastor has said she expects new signing Naomi Girma to take Chelsea to a higher level but added that the defender's debut will be delayed.
ESPN - 6d
Chelsea sign Girma for women's world record fee

USA defender Naomi Girma says it was an "easy choice" after joining Chelsea for a world record fee in the region of £900,000.
BBC News - Jan. 26
Chelsea to sign USA's Girma for world record fee

USA defender Naomi Girma agrees terms to join Chelsea on a long-term deal for a world record transfer.
BBC News - Jan. 22
Sources: Chelsea lead race to sign Naomi Girma

Chelsea are leading the race to sign San Diego Wave centre-back Naomi Girma, while Arsenal and Lyon are also interested in the United States women's national team star, sources have told ESPN.
ESPN - Jan. 16

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