Chelsea FC Women have long been a dominant force in English football, and the 2024-25 season under new Manager Sonia Bompastor has been no exception. With an impressive unbeaten run, the question arises: Can Chelsea Women achieve an invincible season again? We will dive into their tactical approach, squad dynamics, and the challenges they face in pursuing this remarkable feat.
The Rarity Of An Invincible Season
Going an entire season unbeaten is an extraordinary achievement in football. The most famous example is Arsenal’s 2003-04 men’s team, dubbed “The Invincibles”, who went undefeated in the Premier League under Arséne Wenger. In the Women’s Super League, Arsenal Women also had an unbeaten league campaign in the 2006-07 season, though that was before the league became professional in the 2018-2019 season.
Chelsea Women’s team achieved this feat in the 2017–18 and 2019–20 seasons, which were remarkable achievements that showcased their dominance in English football. Here’s a breakdown of both campaigns:
2017–18 Season
- Chelsea Women went unbeaten throughout the entire WSL 1 season, winning the league title.
- They finished with 13 wins and 5 draws from 18 matches.
- The team also won the FA Women’s Cup, securing a domestic double.
- Key players included Fran Kirby, Ji So-yun, and Ramona Bachmann.
2019–20 Season
- Chelsea remained unbeaten again in the FA WSL, finishing the season with 12 wins and 3 draws from 15 matches.
- The season was curtailed due to COVID-19, and Chelsea were awarded the WSL title based on a points-per-game system.
- They also won the League Cup, completing another domestic double.
- Players like Beth England, Sam Kerr, and Ji So-yun played crucial roles.
Such dominance requires not just quality and consistency but also mental resistance and a bit of good fortune. If Chelsea were to replicate this feat in the modern WSL era, it would cement their place as one of the greatest teams in English women’s football history.
Both unbeaten runs were key moments in Chelsea’s rise as a dominant force in women’s football under Emma Hayes. Would you like more details on specific matches or players from those seasons?
Tactical Mastery Under Sonia Bompastor
Appointed in May 2024, Sonia Bompastor has seamlessly continued Chelsea’s tradition of excellence while introducing subtle tactical nuances. The team predominantly uses a 4-3-2-1 formation, a shift from Chelsea’s more traditional 4-3-3. This system provides defensive stability while maximising creativity in advanced areas. The midfield trio consists of a deep-lying playmaker at the base, responsible for dictating tempo and linking play between defence and attack.
Two box-to-box midfielders support this player, who contributes defensively while making late runs into the final third to support attacks. Their role is crucial in transitions, ensuring Chelsea can press effectively while maintaining control in possession. Ahead of them, two attacking midfielders operate in the half spaces, providing creativity and linking up with the lone striker. These players drift wide, drop deeper to receive the ball or push forward into goal-scoring positions. Their movement is key to unlocking defences, as they create passing lanes and drag opposition markers out of position.
The lone striker is the focal point of the attack, tasked with holding up play, pressing from the front, and finishing chances. While often isolated, support comes from the attacking midfielders and overlapping full-backs, who provide width and deliver crosses into the box. Defensively, the 4-3-2-1 shape ensures compactness, making it difficult for opponents to play through central areas. The midfield three provides a string defensive shield, while the attacking midfielders contribute to pressing high up the pitch. This structure allows Chelsea to win back possession quickly and quickly transition into attack.
Squad Depth And Resilience
Chelsea’s squad depth has been a cornerstone of their success this season. The team has showcased resilience despite injuries to key players like Sam Kerr and Guri Reiten. The January signings of Naomi Girma, Femke Liefting, and Keira Walsh have bolstered the squad, ensuring sustained performance levels. This depth allows Bompastor to rotate players without compromising quality, keeping the team fresh across multiple competitions.
Defensive Solidity
A robust defence has been the bedrock of Chelsea’s unbeaten run. The centre-back pairing of Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan has been formidable, complemented by the goalkeeping prowess of Hannah Hampton, who has secured multiple clean sheets this season. The team’s defensive organisation minimises opposition chances, allowing the midfield and attack to operate confidently.
Challenges On The Horizon
Chelsea’s unbeaten run faces significant challenges, with title rivals like Arsenal and Manchester City capable of disrupting their momentum. Fixture congestion and squad rotation will be crucial as they balance domestic and European Commitments, while injuries in any key positions could test their depth. Beyond physical demands, the physiological pressure of maintaining an unbeaten streak adds another layer of difficulty, as every opponent will be eager to end their run. An invincible season remains possible if they can navigate these obstacles, but any misstep could prove costly.
Chelsea Women’s pursuit of an invincible season is a testament to their tactical acumen, squad depth, and resistance. Under Sonia Bompastor’s astute management, they have navigated challenges with Poise. However, the unpredictability of football means that achieving an unbeaten season requires skill, strategy, and a touch of fortune. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will keenly observe whether Chelsea can etch their names alongside the few teams that have achieved such a remarkable milestone.
Yes of course they can go unbeaten however many Chelsea fans prefer Emma Haynes style of more attacking and direct style of play .under Emma Haynes the two wide players were more direct and were always taking on the full backs .
Now they are dropping more as wing backs when the opposition has possession.
We are also slower on the counter attack choosing possession rather than putting the opposition under pressure.
Not sure she has worked out if cuthbert and Walsh could play together .
Still if she wins the league again and more importantly the CL I suppose that’s what we want ?
The WSL wasn’t fully professional until 2018-19 and the 2019-20 season ended early due to Covid.
Chelsea Women have gone unbeaten in the WSL on two occasions in 2017-18 and 2019-20, all while the league was fully professional.