Sonia Bompastor discusses the challenges and progress as she navigates her new role as Chelsea Women’s manager, balancing the legacy of Emma Hayes with her own vision for the club.
- Bompastor is focused on blending her philosophy with the established values and ambitions at Chelsea.
- The manager highlights the importance of recruitment and the adaptation of her tactical approach.
- Bompastor reflects on Chelsea’s recent performances and how the team is adapting to her methodology.
- She provides insights into the current state of the Women’s Super League and the progress in French women’s football.
Sonia Bompastor has taken over as Chelsea Women’s manager and is navigating the complex task of blending her vision with the legacy left by Emma Hayes. “We felt really included since the beginning and I feel like I’m part of the Chelsea family,” Bompastor said. She emphasised the importance of feeling at home to give her best performance.
With comparisons to Hayes inevitable, Bompastor remains positive. “I’m really thankful to Emma for the legacy she left me,” she remarked, acknowledging Hayes’ success while expressing her desire to bring her own personality and ideas to the club. Bompastor is working to find a balance between building on Hayes’ legacy and introducing her own philosophy.
Emphasising the critical role of recruitment, Bompastor noted the importance of aligning with the club’s vision. She stressed the need for a balanced squad comprising experienced players, young talents from the academy, and international talents. “It’s really important to spend time on the recruitment,” she stated, underscoring the collaborative effort required to meet the club’s ambitions.
Bompastor’s tactical approach focuses on possession-based football and controlling the midfield, aiming to create opportunities and exploit wide areas. She acknowledged the time required for players to adapt to new methods but is pleased with their progress. “I’m very happy with the way the players are adapting to all these new things,” she noted, but also recognised the need for continuous improvement.
Reflecting on Chelsea’s recent 1-0 win against Aston Villa, Bompastor evaluated the team’s performance as still a work in progress. She estimated the defensive work at 70% and offensive work at 50% towards her vision. Despite the win, she highlighted the need for more efficient goal-scoring and better game management under pressure.
Looking ahead to the match against Crystal Palace, Bompastor expressed excitement for the derby at Selhurst Park. She praised Crystal Palace’s performance last season and stressed the importance of focusing on Chelsea’s own performance to secure a good result. Bompastor sees the match as a significant step in continuing their development.
Bompastor also provided updates on injured players Niamh Charles, Sophie Ingle, and Jorja Fox, expressing optimism about their recovery. “The three of them are doing good mentally and physically,” she said, highlighting the team’s support for their injured players.
Discussing the growth of the WSL and women’s football, Bompastor acknowledged the exponential increase in popularity but noted that other countries, like France, still lag behind. She mentioned positive changes in France, including the professionalisation of their league, but stated that there is still much work to be done to catch up with England and other countries.
Sonia Bompastor is committed to integrating her vision with Emma Hayes’ legacy while advancing Chelsea’s progress in a competitive league.
