Prior to Chelsea’s away fixture to West Ham, Sonia Bompastor spoke on her current squad with injury updates, transfer window updates, and on how the team plans to return to the league after dropping their first points of the season to Leicester before the Christmas break.
Injury updates…
Bompastor reveals that Swedish midfielder Johanna RyttingKaneryd has returned to full squad training and will be available for selection on Sunday. “Jojo practiced fully with the team today so she will be practicing with us for matchday minus one on Saturday and will be available for the squad”.
Whereas Wieke Kaptein, who was stretchered off during the added time of Sunday’s game vs Charlton, will return to training on Saturday with hopes to be back for Wednesday’s fixture against Durham.
Bouncing back from Leicester and preparing for West Ham…
Sonia reflected on her side’s 1-1 draw to Leicester before the Christmas break, that being the first time Chelsea had dropped league points all season. She commented on the team’s lack of intensity from kickoff, which would be something they need to work on ahead of this Sunday’s game. She describes West Ham as a quality side, and explains how her players must be aware of who they’re playing against.
Chelsea’s transfer window…
As Chelsea has just sent their 9th loanee out, Bompastorexplains how her past experience in the French league has given her a great understanding of how to help develop young and upcoming players. As the English system is not set up like the French, she deems loans to Championship and lower table WSL clubs to be important to help grow the player individually so they can be slotted into the Chelsea squad later in their career.
However, she is not concerned about bringing in any new additions, but would not rule the possibility out. “I’m really happy with the squad now, but we are looking if we have some opportunities, we keep our eyes open on that”.
Workload…
Bompastor expresses her excitement to be returning back to a fuller schedule, her experienced squad has the depth so she welcomes the three game a week schedule. “We are ready for that. When you build towards your second part of a season, you reflect on what uou need in the physical, technical, tactical aspects to be ready to play one game or three games a week.”
On Rangers and Celtic joining the WSL…
When questioned on the unexpected news, Bompastoradmitted that she didn’t hear much about it. She explained that while it would be a positive, commercially, for the league, it would have a negative impact on women’s football in Scotland. “[it would] probably not be good for their country because they are big brands and I think for their country it’s better to keep them.
How are the squad feeling at the half way point of the season?
After Sunday’s game the league will officially be half way completed. With Chelsea 6 points ahead currently, Sonia explains how she wishes to continuing to take it game by game not focusing on their clear advantage in the table. This big a lead isn’t natural in a league with this level of competition, nor does it mean anything, Bompastor explains how a few big game moments will not mean anything in the final outcome of the season.
Comments