Chelsea romped to the WLS title, but have not received the recognition or praise they deserve after the season was curtailed early.
However, what Emma Hayes and her side have achieved is an amazing achievement. Winning the WSL after seeming far behind Arsenal and Manchester City last season after finishing 12 points behind the Gunners as well as winning their first Continental Cup.
Chelsea have proved they have the mentality and skill to beat anyone, yes, no Champions League football has helped them focus on the domestic competitions. However, before lockdown Chelsea were still yet to beaten in the league after 13 games which just shows the transformation Hayes has done over the last 12 months.
Players coming of age
It is hard to ignore the main reason to Chelsea’s success this season which is Beth England being one of the deadliest strikers in the country and a rock solid defence.
Scoring goals and keeping clean sheets is the fundamentals of any title winning team. You don’t have to look too far to see teams that have the mentality of we will score more than you very rarely win anything.
Therefore, Chelsea had England who finished joint top scorer in the WSL with Vivianne Miedema while being joined by Australian international Sam Kerr halfway through the season. Kerr’s ability and energy seemed to boost England’s game up another level and their link up play was sublime to watch.
On Kerr’s debut she played a delightful ball through for England to finish well against Reading, which was a sign of what was to come from the deadly duo.
What has really shown this season is that England is now much more than a striker with pace. She has developed her positional awareness and has ignited that striker’s instinct. Just take a look at her winning goal in the Continental Cup final, she acknowledged the chance of a goal and positioned herself out of sight of Lisa Evans and enabled a simple tap in.
However, it is all over the pitch that players are maturing in a football sense and learning how to win in different ways.
Winning is all that matters
Chelsea have been able to flex their muscles in games against West Ham United and Bristol City when they won 8-0 and 6-1 respectively. However, they won their opening game of the season 1-0 against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.
They went ahead after five minutes and wasted numerous chances. However, despite not being able to add a second goal they were resilient at the back and saw Spurs waste a glorious chances in the second half with the Blues blocking shot after shot or watching them fly wide.
Players such as Millie Bright and Magdalena Eriksson were standout performers for Chelsea at the back. Bright is excellent on the ball, graceful and confident at bringing the ball into midfield and starting attacks quickly.
Both are rocks at the back and have countless times put their bodies on the line for the points, whether that be all three or just the one.
Hayes has ensured that if they can’t win a game, whether that be against a stubborn defence or playing a top team, they do not lose. That was difference between themselves and Arsenal and City who were sloppy and lacked concentration for 90 minutes in certain games.
Just have to look at the games Chelsea played against the Gunners and City. In all but one game the Blues were behind during the three games, in both games against City and once against the Gunners.
They were getting beat off City 2-0 before coming back to win 2-1 after scoring in the 79th and 81st minute to secure all three points. While also behind behind after nine minutes to Arsenal at the start of the season before coming back to score a winner in the 85th minute.
New mentality
Hayes has instilled a never say attitude to her side that were pushed over too many times during the 2018/19 season, thus finishing so far off Arsenal.
Going 1-0 down to Brighton & Hove Albion in the 87th minute before getting an equaliser in the 91st minute in only the second game of the season seemed like such a bad omen for Chelsea.
However, it has proved to be one of their biggest assets. Maybe Arsenal and Chelsea took their foot off the gas, Arsenal dominated England last season and Joe Montemurro may need to revamp his tactics and philosophies to get the bets out of all his players. City have been going through a transaction with Nick Cushing departing for New York City FC.
However, if they are to catch Chelsea and maintain the pace the Blues can set something will have to change. Chelsea seem to be going from strength to strength and with Kerr being fully settled one and having a full season and pre-season with the club can only improve them once again.