Keira Walsh has long been associated with a return to the Super League for women. On the past three transfer windows, her name has surfaced several times, but never in connection with Chelsea. Arsenal were always the front runners, so what has changed?
The International of England moved to Barcelona for a world record compensation at the thening of Manchester City in 2022, so that they would win back-to-back Champions League titles, and has entered the last few months of her contract.
It is no secret that Walsh has viewed a return to the UK. Arsenal tried to seduce her away last summer, but the compensation would always be a bottleneck. Barca wanted a considerable return on their hefty investment and was not under pressure to sell – the offer of the Gunners had to be irresistible. It wasn't, and now the climate has changed in favor of Chelsea.
The midfielder, who would walk in each WSL team, has the luxury par excellence. And there is no doubt that the 'pros' column in Chelsea outweighs what Arsenal is currently able to offer the 27-year-old, in the peak years of her career.
The Sonia Bompastor side is clearly at the top of the competition and have not lost any match since the seamless takeover of the French women of Emma Hayes. They remain one of the three teams that are still unbeaten in Europe's Big Five Leagues next to Barcelona and Lyon and have equally solid foot in the Champions League.
A move to Chelsea is just the safer gamble. They are the WSL's Destination Club. There is no rolling dice with detail – committed bompastor – a proven winner, whose impact on the competition in the six months since the replacement of Hayes has been deep.
They are streets for the nearest rivals in every way and happy to show off their status.
The most recent encounter between Chelsea and Arsenal includes the point neatly. The Noord -Londers enjoyed an impressive revival among Renee Slesers, who are playing back in the title photo, until they met the WSL leaders at Stamford Bridge and were inevitably undone.
Perhaps the result did not reflect the game. Maybe Arsenal earned more. But the fact remains that the blues have effectively terminated the pursuit of the Gunners and have made their own charges fairly inviolable. And as the gap broadens, the allure of Chelsea becomes increasingly attractive.
What Arsenal harms the most is the chance that has slipped through their fingers. Last summer they stood in front of the row and could have convinced Walsh to participate if they were willing to meet Barcelona's requirements. Instead of stumping the necessary money they were waiting, hoping to lure Walsh to the Emirates a year later and have seen their hesitation punished.
The inescapable feeling that another world -class player has strengthened the cause of Chelsea must be great worries for the entire cluster of clubs that want to match the five -fold reigning champions. Manchester City – with whom Walsh won the WSL in 2016 – should be as much worries as Chelsea attacks this brave new era.
Arsenal was also in the race for Naomi Girma, before the transfer of £ 890k from Chelsea was confirmed on Saturday morning – another symbol of the gap between the two clubs. The new world record defender was paraded on Stamford Bridge before he started as a timely memory of the power of Chelsea – another stick to bashen the lack of ambition of Arsenal.
Of course, investments must always be considered and booking in balance – Arsenal talking repeatedly about to operate in a sustainable way (the main reason why Viv Miedema was allowed to leave last summer) – but they are the commercially successful club in the WSL. They generate larger income and draw larger matchday crowded than Chelsea.
What they don't do is win titles.
And for the top talent of the game that will always be the biggest attraction.
The most expensive transfers in women's football:
1. Naomi Girma to Chelsea, £ 900K
2. Rachael Kundanaji to Bay FC, £ 685k
3. Barbra Banda to Orlando Pride, £ 581K
4. Keira Walsh to Chelsea, £ 500K
5. Mayra Ramirez to Chelsea, £ 426K