New season kicks off on September 5 live on Sky Sports; Sky Sports will show 118 games live next season and 90 per cent of all fixtures, including exclusives; Sony Bompastor's Chelsea play Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday September 5 live on Sky Sports; kick-off 7.30pm
Oliver Yu
An unbeaten domestic season and a hat-trick have marked Sonia Bompastor's first year in English football, but she is not yet ready to see Chelsea's domestic dominance end as she heads into the new campaign.
Bompastor seamlessly replaced Emma Hayes at Chelsea last season, leading west London to a sixth straight Women's Super League title. The Blues added the FA Cup and League Cup to that haul, and became the first team in WSL history to go 22 games unbeaten.
But for Bompastor, whose side begin their title defence against Manchester City live on Sky Sports on Friday, all that is in the past and she is determined to build on the success of last season.
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“I've had an incredible summer and the whole club,” Bompastor told Sky Sports. “It's been a really good time to reflect and it's been incredibly important for us as a club to do that.”
In terms of results, we were very pleased with the first season. It is important to understand that it was not an easy one, because the club was in a transition period, and to be able to win the treble, winning all the domestic trophies, was a great achievement.
“But now we're back to a new season. Everything is new again, and we're going to be competing with strong teams in the most competitive league, and we're ready for that.”
Bompastor in 'best position' with Chelsea this year
Pictured: Bompastor believes he is in a better position as he prepares for his second season in charge at Chelsea.
This time last year, there was a feeling that Chelsea's dominance might be under threat.
Bompastor took over from the legendary Hayes, who led Lyon to five consecutive WSL titles, but the former Lyon manager hit the ground running and the team eventually won a sixth title. As a warning to Chelsea's opponents this year, she feels she is in a much better position to continue to implement her style this season.
“I'm in a much better position than last season,” she said.
“I remember media day last year and I didn't know anyone. I was new to everyone and everyone was new to me, so now I feel more comfortable and I know more about the club, the league and the tournament. I'm in better shape in that regard.”
“In terms of the team, last season we needed to make sure the players understood our game model, our game plans on match day, and now I feel we can go further in terms of detailing how we want to play.
Pictured: Chelsea Women celebrate winning the WSL by lifting the trophy at Stamford Bridge.
“We want to perform, but we want to keep the same spirit,” she added.
“There is a really special mentality at this club. We have a winning mentality and that is what set us apart from other clubs last season. I want to make sure that we continue in the same spirit and play better.”
“It won't be easy and I know that. When you come in as a new manager in your first season in a new league, everything is new. People probably don't expect you to do as well and as well in this job as I do, as we do in the team and the club, but that's not a surprise anymore.”
“Everyone wants to fight and compete with Chelsea and we need to be ready for that mentally, tactically and technically.”
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Bombastor is ready for new competitions
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On Pitch to Pod, Jordan Nobbs and Nikita Parris discuss who they think could stop Chelsea winning a seventh Women's Super League title in a row.
Following Chelsea's victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final in May, Bompastor urged other WSL teams to invest in the summer, saying: “Come with us.”
She insists Chelsea need competition to bring out the best players and with women's football reaching new milestones this summer, such as the signing of its first million-pound player from Arsenal, who are expected to be Chelsea's closest challengers – Liverpool's Olivia Smith – the competition is likely to intensify this season.
And Bompastor is not standing still in the Chelsea squad, looking to develop the team this season and avoid complacency.
“It's important for us to evolve,” she said. “I've always been a manager who tries to bring in new things.”
“I don’t want players to be in a comfort zone and the best way to achieve that is to bring innovation to the coaching staff.
“We’ve made some changes to the team roster, bringing in more knowledge, which means we can now better support the players and help them become the best versions of themselves.
Because of that, we've been able to make some changes to the player environment and also to the way we want to work off the pitch, using things like video feedback. We're trying to do things a little bit differently and I try to challenge my players in training, in video sessions and also on game day.
Pictured: Bompastor and Millie Bright celebrate Chelsea's FA Cup win
“I want to make sure that no one is in a comfort zone because that can create problems.”
Asked what she wants to improve this season, Bompastor added: “We want to keep our winning attitude.”
“From the very beginning of the season, I want to be involved in all the competitions we take part in. I am happy to take on this responsibility because the club is ambitious, I am ambitious and my players are ambitious.
“It won't be easy, but we need to make sure we perform better this season. We need to improve on last season.”
It takes time for a coach to implement his game model and make sure that all the players understand it. This is the most difficult task for a coach. But the players are interested in what we are trying to implement and want to be brave on the pitch. This is the attitude I expect from them.
“When I talk about more consistency, I mean our game and the fact that we have to win games, which was part of our DNA last season, and also that we have to be more dominant both in and out of possession.”
Bompastor: There's a lot to learn from watching the Euro
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor on keeping a close eye on the Euros:
“The Euro was an interesting period for me as a coach.
“You can see a lot of what's going on in women's football. It's the highest level in Europe, so it's always good to see how the national teams play and what they're trying to do.
“I was happy that England won the tournament. I would have liked France to have gone through because England had six players in the squad. I was very happy for them. They deserved it. The resilience they showed in the tournament was phenomenal.
“For the country to have two wins in a row is a really positive thing and we hope it will have a positive impact on the WSL this season.”
“New acquisitions have added energy”
Pictured: Australia defender Ellie Carpenter poses for a photograph (Photo: Chelsea FC)
Another part of that evolution and fight against complacency has been the new faces that have joined Chelsea's squad this summer.
The Blues have freshened up their goalkeeping ranks, with Livia Peng and Becky Spencer joining as competition and replacements for England international Hannah Hampton. Champions League-winning defender Ellie Carpenter and young striker Mara Albert have also been added to Bompastor's squad ahead of the new season.
“I am very pleased with the new acquisitions,” Bompastor said.
Pictured: Chelsea aim to win seventh consecutive WSL title
“If you want to stay competitive and stay competitive in this league, you need to make sure you have depth and the quality and talent to have an edge in the big games.
“We are in a good position and I am happy with where the team is at the moment.
“The signings have brought new energy to the team and that's important. I'm very pleased that I have not only talented players but also good personalities and in that sense this Chelsea squad is special to me.”
“My players are not only players, but also wonderful people, and I appreciate that very much.”
Image: WSL on Sky Sports
Chelsea's winning spirit will certainly be tested in their opening WSL match of the season on Friday.
It was an exciting start to the season against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, but Bompastor expects the WSL to be even more competitive this season and her team is ready for it.
“Starting at Manchester City is a challenge,” she said.
“But as competitive people we want to start at home at Stamford Bridge with our fans and have a big game against City. That's what we want.”
“Over the summer, clubs have been investing in their squads, as well as facilities and infrastructure for women’s teams.
“It's really great because it will increase competition. If you want to be the best version of yourself, you need healthy competition.
“It will make it even more difficult to win this season, but here at Chelsea we are ready to fight.”
Sky to show 90 percent of all WSL games from 2025/26
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Welcome to the new Sky Sports WSL YouTube channel, where you'll find everything WSL, with match highlights, live match coverage, exclusive interviews and the chance to see the game's stars like you've never seen them before.
Sky Sports is launching a new five-year partnership with the WSL, which will see it broadcast 90% of all Women's Super League matches in the 2025/26 season. Sky Sports will show 118 live matches, including 78 exclusives.
Starting this season, most Women's Super League matches will kick off at 12:00pm on Sundays (depending on stadium capacity), giving fans a consistent and accessible viewing window.
Sky Sports will broadcast matches simultaneously across all channels, including Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app, providing greater choice and visibility.
Sourse: skysports.com
