How Chelsea extended dynasty with latest WSL title

Was there a question mark after former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes announced her departure?

Who could succeed the woman who had won five consecutive Women’s Super League titles and 14 significant titles in 12 years?

The end of a time, an invitation to Chelsea’s rivals, and a new set of difficulties.

However, those ideas still popped up when celebrations broke out at Leigh Sports Village a year later after Chelsea won the league again with a 1-0 win over Manchester United. They still sounded foolish.

Sonia Bompastor, Hayes’ successor, turned around, fist-pumped and roared toward her staff before unwrapping a flag to give her players to celebrate with.

Chelsea’s performance in Manchester on Wednesday night lacked the air of inevitability.

It would be incorrect to say that they were hoping to capture their sixth straight WSL title. Bompastor acknowledged that they had not considered adding that Chelsea would gain from losing at Aston Villa.

Instead, this was a herd of wounded animals, all but recovered from their Champions League humiliation on Sunday.

Chelsea’s routine continued to be effective when word of the club’s 5-2 defeat to Aston Villa eventually spread to the Leigh Sports Village supporters.

As the players warmed up, Bompastor appeared to be assuming they had no idea what was going on elsewhere while standing with their arms crossed.

Chelsea were getting ready for the job, in their typical, ruthless state.

The outpouring of emotion that followed their re-entry as champions 90 minutes later was stark contrasted.

When Lucy Bronze scored the game’s only goal in the 74th minute, the crowd sang “Chelsea, champions” on repeat until the very end.

Chelsea did what needed to be done, even when they weren’t playing at their best, as they have done so frequently this season.

They have been criticized for being “Mentality monsters” lately, and they have done it frequently this season.

More than any other WSL team, 33% of their total goals were scored in the final 15 minutes of play.

Only Manchester City have ever won more from positions lost in games, despite also having eight points after coming from behind.

In essence, Chelsea always had the better chance of winning because they had won the previous five WSL titles, had the biggest league budget, and had made significant investment during the transfer window.

They are champions because of how much money they have spent. Chelsea ran as the chasing pack bouyed from their self-aggrandizement.

Bompastor was taken from French power Lyon by Chelsea after Hayes left and one of the best coaches in Europe.

Manchester City pressured them to the brink last season by signing Champions League winners Bronze and Keira Walsh from Barcelona, who won their fifth consecutive title on goal difference.

After falling to Manchester City in the Champions League, they bounced back and defeated them in the league a few days later, scoring a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool to advance to the Women’s FA Cup final.

With two trophies already in the bag, they have created a squad that can face challenges on all domestic fronts. They are also on track to win the Treble this year.

Is the gap between Chelsea and the rest of the WSL growing? Its unbeaten season and their points total suggest otherwise.

Bompastor said on Wednesday that Chelsea’s mentality has been a “massive part” in their success, but she also has a leadership role.

Bompastor has always remained calm and never appeared out of place despite being under the weight of expectation and wearing big boots.

Similarity could be seen in Bompastor and Hayes as Liverpool’s men celebrated winning the Premier League trophy just days before – Arne Slot triumphing in Jurgen Klopp’s well-laid foundations.

The Frenchwoman was aware of the depth, talent, and experience of her squad when she arrived in London. Her goal was to improve them even more.

Bompastor has consistently said “perfection” and “the ideal,” but she is aware that it will take practice.

She talked about wanting perfection and developing a true identity for the upcoming season and about always wanting more.

Even though the disappointment of their Champions League exit weighs heavily, she can have no complaints about their success in England in a short amount of time.

Bompastor has made tactical adjustments, including allowing for more ball possession, more aggressive press, and less direct ball-handling.

She has incorporated newcomers, elevated winger Sandy Baltimore to full-back, and tasked 19-year-old midfielder Wieke Kaptein with responsibility.

Bompastor’s personality is perhaps his biggest contrast to Hayes’ time.

Bompastor is occasionally understated, despite Hayes frequently playing mind games, keeping people on their toes, and using her platform to challenge conventions.

Although her celebrations for the title appeared subdued, she is a “simple person” and will cherish special time with her family in London, as she herself described them.

Bompastor already has her sights on the Treble, so “a little bit” of champage and some chocolate might be in order.

She thanked Hayes for her contributions in her post-match media conference despite being aware of her accomplishments but humble enough to acknowledge her involvement.

Bompastor began to reflect on both Chelsea’s successes from the past and what might be in store for the future.