Women's football is reaching new heights and this winter transfer window is likely to continue to break records.
Fans won't be surprised to hear that Chelsea are at the heart of this news as the Blues continue to drive standards and innovation in women's football.
According to widespread reports, Chelsea are on the verge of breaking the transfer record, and they are going to do so to sign a defender.
That player is San Diego Wave and USA star Naomi Girma, and Chelsea is about to pay a fee of around $1.1 million.
The defender has been in demand since playing a crucial role in the USWNT's success at the Olympics last summer. The 24-year-old was described as being on extremely free terms by former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, who is now in charge of the US.
“She's the best defender I've ever seen,” Hayes said after her side's semifinal victory against Germany at the 2024 Olympics.
With praise from arguably one of the greatest coaches of all time, it is no surprise that she has demanded such a high amount.
To provide some context, this fee will easily surpass the current world record transfer fee set by Bay FC when signing Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF in February 2024 for $860,000.
In terms of a fee paid by an English club, this would break the record by an even greater margin. Chelsea signed Colombian forward Mayra Ramirez last January for €450,000 (around £384,000 at the time) plus up to €50,000 in add-ons. Girma's transfer will be more than double that of her new teammate.
But what makes Naomi Girma so special, and why have European giants such as Chelsea and Lyon vied for her signature?
A radiant light of the stars and stripes
Despite the USWNT recording their worst ever result at a World Cup in 2023 and being eliminated in the last 16 by Sweden, there was a glimmer of light for the side at the tournament. A young Girma was playing in her first World Cup and was part of a defense that only allowed one goal in the four ninety minutes they played during that tournament.
That year she was named the 2023 USWNT Player of the Year and her impact on the national team is still crucial for new boss Hayes and, in particular, for the team's impressive success in Paris, when she won the won a gold medal.
All tournament success is built on solid defense, and the USWNT certainly showed their defensive prowess in Paris. They only conceded two goals in the entire tournament, the joint fewest of any team, while also recording four clean sheets on the tournament.
USA finished the tournament with three consecutive clean sheets, becoming the first team in Olympic history not to concede a goal in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
Key to their success was Girma, who collected the most minutes (600) of any player in the tournament, with her importance meaning Hayes made sure she played every available minute.
The 24-year-old had also done the same in the 2023 World Cup, helping the team keep seven clean sheets in her 10 games across the two major tournaments.
In Paris, she was ranked number one for making more passes (610), carries (200) and clearances (31) than any other player at the tournament, while also having the best passing accuracy (95.0 %).
What brought Girma to the NWSL
There was a lot of anticipation and buzz surrounding the young defenseman ahead of the 2022 NWSL draft.
She was selected as the first overall pick by the San Diego Wave, a prestigious honor that earned a fierce reputation for a player who would quickly become one of the league's best defensemen.
From her NWSL debut in May 2022 until the end of the 2024 season, Girma won the most possessions in the defensive third (304) and made the most progressive ball carriers (548).
In fact, she ranked among the top four in blocks (55 – third), clearances (287 – second) and successful passes (3213 – fourth), maintaining a solid level of performance throughout her time in competition.
Girma has been named NWSL Defender of the Year twice, in 2022 and 2023 respectively, helping the San Diego Wave win the NWSL Shield in the latter under ex-Manchester United boss Casey Stoney.
In 2024, she continued her solid performances for the Wave, finishing with the best passing accuracy of any player attempting over 600 passes, good for 91.4% (1328/1453). She also ranked in the top ten of the competition for total clearances with 95.
Over the course of the season, she appeared in 20 matches, playing 1,715 minutes, and was among the top five players in the league in blocks, having made 22, and duels won, winning 63.9%.
Her time with the San Diego Wave led to their collective success, and she hopes to repeat that when she moves to Chelsea.
Why does Chelsea need her?
Sonia Bompastor and Chelsea are looking for winners as they attempt to do what no other English side has done since Arsenal won the Quadruple in 2007.
Chelsea are currently undefeated in all competitions and look unstoppable this season.
Even under Hayes, the Women's Champions League hinted at them, but adding Girma to their superstar ranks could be the final piece of the puzzle, especially after beating continental rivals Lyon to her name.
Her arrival also comes at a good time; Chelsea, like all WSL clubs, have lost big players to ACL injuries and the loss of Kadeisha Buchanan after a good start to the season leaves the Blues lacking in quality in that area of the pitch.
Chelsea currently boast one of the best defensive records in the WSL, with the second fewest goals (six) and the second most clean sheets (seven, behind Arsenal), so Bompastor will be hoping for their quick move to add defensive cover to add. will keep that intact.
Girma offers extra qualities to complement her new teammates such as Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright. Her intelligent positioning, strength and ability to read the game in front of her while showing raw athleticism will give them an extra layer to their defense.
With matches being played quickly and intensively in all competitions, this is a timely addition to ensure they remain in control in the WSL, with their lead currently six points over Arsenal ahead of their big top-flight match this weekend. .
But let there be no doubt, such a major transfer is a move they hope can deliver the elusive Champions League crown and usher in a new era of success under Bompastor.
With huge momentum under new coach Bompastor and some strength in defense with proven winners like Bronze, Bright and now Girma, this could be their year in Europe.
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