Naomi Girma is reportedly being watched by Chelsea and Lyon.
Naomi Girma had an exceptional year at club level, which she complemented brilliantly with her contributions to the US women's national soccer team. She played a crucial role under Emma Hayes, helping the team secure the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Girma's defensive interventions were crucial in the USWNT's journey to the finals in Paris and their eventual victory. Her excellent performances received high praise from coach Emma Hayes, who called her the best defender she had ever seen: “I have never seen a player as good as her in defense. She has everything: poise, calm, anticipation, leadership. She is incredible.”
Lyon, Chelsea and Arsenal in the race to sign Girma
In recognition of her remarkable achievements, Naomi Girma was nominated for the FIFA Women's Best XI in 2024 and successfully secured a place in the line-up. She was also recognized as one of the best defenders in the world. Girma demonstrated her versatility by showing her goalscoring ability by scoring a brace in a friendly match against Argentina.
These performances have attracted a lot of attention from top clubs in Europe. According to various reports, Chelsea, Arsenal and Lyon are among the top contenders interested in acquiring Girma's services. Chelsea and Lyon, both powerhouses in international women's football, are in constant contention for the Champions League title.
Notably, Emma Hayes, now head coach of the USWNT, previously guided Chelsea to the brink of European glory on several occasions, making a potential move an exciting opportunity for Girma.
Unfortunately, Naomi, who was included in Hayes' camp list in January – the first call-up of the year – will not be able to attend due to a muscle injury. This reduces the squad from 26 players to 25, making for a challenging start to the year for the talented defender.
Comments