Natasha Dowie believes Chelsea’s appointment of Sonia Bompastor highlights the new-found international enchantment of the Girls’s Tremendous League.
Bompastor loved three profitable years at Lyon, together with profitable a Champions League, earlier than deciding to maneuver on and substitute Emma Hayes this summer season.
Hayes led the Blues to seven WSL titles general, profitable every of the final 5 in a row, and Bompastor now has the problem of turning into the primary supervisor in WSL historical past to win the league on their first try.
Dowie, who’s now a Liverpool ambassador after profitable the league twice with the Reds, thinks it reveals simply how a lot the WSL has grown in latest occasions.
She advised Stats Carry out: “I believe it’s not simply the most effective gamers on the earth that wish to come and play in England now, it’s the most effective managers on the earth. And that wasn’t the case again within the day, and I believe that’s simply sensible.”
Moreover, Dowie additionally notes that her appointment may additionally show essential by way of Chelsea lastly claiming their elusive Champions League title, following a number of close to misses and a defeat within the 2021 ultimate.
“She’s received every little thing at Lyon,” Dowie added. “So now to maneuver to a membership like Chelsea, who’ve just about received the league the final 5 years, I believe now the problem for her and what she most likely is worked up about is how can we assist Chelsea win the Champions League? That’s all they haven’t received.”
The previous striker can also be excited on the prospect of Sam Kerr getting back from harm, believing that she will be able to as soon as once more play a key position for the Blues.
Sam Kerr actually is clutch. https://t.co/Ixk20KDJKp pic.twitter.com/uTjsHF9rbg
— Chelsea FC Girls (@ChelseaFCW) September 18, 2024
The Australian suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear throughout Chelsea’s winter coaching camp in January, ruling her out for the second half of the season.
Earlier than her harm, Kerr was averaging 0.61 objectives per 90 minutes, from 3.66 pictures per 90, with a 16.67% conversion price.
“[Kerr] is the primary striker, and she or he does it within the massive strain video games, she all the time produces, and I believe they missed her final 12 months though they received the league,” Dowie stated.
“I believe that to have a Sam Kerr in your staff – it’s a nightmare for any staff and I believe all followers, the best way that she’s entertaining as effectively, the backflip, the form of charisma that she has, she brings lots to the sport.
“So yeah, I believe we’re all excited to see her again performing.”
Dowie predicts Manchester United to have an improved WSL marketing campaign this 12 months, following their FA Cup ultimate success final season.
The Pink Devils completed simply two factors behind Chelsea in 2022-23 however struggled to duplicate that final 12 months, and have since misplaced key gamers, together with Mary Earps.
“I do suppose United will push on once more this 12 months,” stated Dowie.
“I believe that to be combating for the title with Chelsea the 12 months earlier than after which to clearly end fifth final 12 months was actually disappointing.
“I believe there’ll be a staff this 12 months that might be up there once more competing for trophies, so you may say that United may very well be a shock package deal.”
