Because the saying goes – gradual and regular wins the race. Whereas ‘gradual and regular’ is commonly balked at in soccer, Sonia Bompastor has already received a good few races since her arrival at Chelsea Girls, whereas taking her time to implement her enjoying type.
Coming in and immediately attempting to vary a squad and tradition honed over 12 profitable years by her predecessor, Emma Hayes, might have led to catastrophe.
As a substitute, Bompastor has patiently moulded the group into her picture. For instance, she started to used a again three in direction of the top of final season, transferring away from her beforehand deployed again 4, as Chelsea stormed to a home treble.
Hayes was recognized for her tactical fluidity, however Bompastor prefers a again three in her personal footballing philosophy and has continued with it this time period. It was one thing she was already trying to introduce when she arrived at Chelsea final summer time, whereas being productive at each ends of the pitch.
Forward of Saturday’s WSL showdown with Arsenal Girls, Bompastor solely instructed Sky Sports activities: “It was deliberate from the start. It is a part of who I’m as a supervisor, my philosophy, my imaginative and prescient.
“I simply wanted to ensure gamers are on board with that and it takes time. Individuals suppose it may be straightforward, however it’s not. We’ve got individuals coming from completely different international locations, not at all times talking the identical language, which may typically be a problem.
“It is advisable be sure everybody understands the identical and when you consider it, having 11 gamers who perceive the identical factor in the identical second of the sport, it is a huge problem.
“So it’s a lot of work in training sessions, a lot of video also for the players to understand what we want to achieve. The players are smart, they do understand what we want to achieve, so they contribute themselves towards that.
“We’re in all probability not but the place I need us to be, we in all probability by no means will as a result of, once more, it is actually tough, however I am fairly pleased with what we’re reaching thus far.
“The mentality on this group is nice. What we’re doing on the pitch, we at all times discover a strategy to win.
Saturday eighth November 11:30am
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“People sometimes comment a lot on our way to play, but when I analyse the games and I look at the statistics, most of the time, we are dominant in many ways.
“As a lot as individuals need us to in all probability have the ball more often than not and all the things, we at all times attempt to be in management, we at all times attempt to be dominant.
“The most important thing in football is to be efficient and clinical, so if we are able to do that, I’m happy.”
That applies to each finish of the pitch. Chelsea have conceded simply three objectives this season – the fewest within the WSL – and are but to lose within the league. Actually, they’ve by no means misplaced a home match below Bompastor.
If the Blues keep away from defeat on the Emirates, they are going to match their very own document of 33 WSL video games unbeaten, though this can be a streak Bompastor isn’t taken with.
“I think this unbeaten run is more for the media to comment on,” she mirrored. “For us, a new season, we are starting from zero. We haven’t done anything yet, except winning some important games in the league.
“For that purpose, we aren’t actually specializing in that as a group and even much less as a supervisor. Each recreation is necessary. We’re taking it game-by-game and that is what issues essentially the most for us.”
The journey to Arsenal might once more see Ellie Carpenter and Lucy Bronze line up on Chelsea’s proper. When the Australian signed in the summertime, there have been questions over how the 2 could be used collectively.
However in Saturday’s 2-0 win in opposition to London Metropolis Lionesses, the pair performed collectively for the primary time to tremendous impact – Carpenter even scored her first Chelsea purpose.
“Lucy and Ellie are two great athletes,” Bompastor stated of her right-sided pair. “I don’t want to have to make a choice between them when they are both performing.
“Perhaps sooner or later I must try this, relying on how we play with a again three or 4, however on the similar time if I feel each can match collectively and may play collectively, it is going to be nice.
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Ellie Carpenter opens the scoring for Chelsea in opposition to London Metropolis Lionesses in simply over 5 minutes.
“Both have a lot of experience at international level. They have different profiles, different qualities and having them playing together gives a lot of power to the team. They know how to defend, they know how to attack together, so it’s a big strength for us.”
Having two gamers of such high quality vying for comparable beginning spots additional highlights the depth Bompastor has at her disposal. Her matchday squads are filled with worldwide expertise and multi-trophy winners.
This season, Chelsea have had eight completely different WSL goalscorers and made essentially the most adjustments to their beginning XIs (18) as they bid to compete on a number of fronts as soon as once more.
“It’s really crucial,” Bompastor stated of her squad. “When you are the Chelsea manager, you have to rotate your squad and you have a lot of quality and depth.
“It is advisable ensure you keep the proper stability for individuals to really feel they’re a part of the success. For that purpose, it is actually necessary for me as a supervisor to give the chance to everybody to carry out and to be concerned.
“When you have to play every three days, three games a week, that’s really important to have some fresh legs. If you don’t have the depth, it’s really difficult to match your ambitions.”
Whereas rotation is essential, one participant who has been a stalwart of Chelsea XIs for a few years is Millie Vivid. Ought to she characteristic in opposition to Arsenal, she’s going to match Jordan Nobbs’ WSL document of 210 appearances.
In opposition to Liverpool subsequent Sunday, stay on Sky Sports activities, the Blues captain might surpass her former England team-mate and make historical past.
“It just shows how good she’s been playing at the highest level for so long,” Bompastor stated of her defender. “She’s been part of this club for so long, she’s part of the base and the foundations and she’s already brought a lot to this club.
“Once I was the Lyon supervisor, I used to be at all times impressed with Millie, the participant she was on the pitch, however becoming a member of Chelsea, I am much more impressed as a result of she’s participant, but in addition individual.
“It’s really important for me also to have the opportunity to work with athletes who have the quality on the pitch and outside if it. Every day, she shows good values and sets the example for others. It’s lovely to work with someone who has this mentality.
“Each time we’ve the dialog, she at all times begins to say, ‘I wish to be sure I will be out there to play the sport on the weekend’ and even after we play each three days. Soccer for her is all the things and I feel she offers all the things for soccer.
“I’m really pleased to have her as the captain of the team and to have her in my squad. It’s a great achievement for her and well deserved because she puts a lot of hard work in every day.”
