What's Stopping Chelsea From Winning the Women's Champions League?

The Chelsea Women's team are, by trophy count, the second most successful women's side in England. The Blues are currently enjoying the most dominant domestic spell ever seen in English football, winning eight league titles, five FA Cups and three League Cups in the last ten seasons, as well as enjoying four double and two treble-winning seasons within that time. 

Last season, Chelsea concluded their most successful season yet, remaining unbeaten domestically, retaining The WSL and FA Cup, as well as winning the League Cup. 

(Credit: Chelsea FC)

It cannot be argued that, right now, domestically, Chelsea are untouchable. With there seemingly being nothing to stop them from winning their seventh league title in a row. But there is one title that has evaded them year by year. The Champions League. 

Despite being as dominant as they have been in England, Chelsea have only reached the final once in 2021, eventually losing 4-0 in the final to Barcelona.

In fact, Barcelona have become somewhat of a European bogey team for The Blues, as the Spanish giants have knocked them out of the competition in four out of the last five seasons. 

Last season, Chelsea came into their yearly semi-final meeting with the Catalonians in their best ever form, having only lost one game in all competitions against Manchester City in a Champions League tie that The Blues went on to win a month prior. Chelsea players were individually having a season to remember, with the likes of Hannah Hampton, Mayra Ramírez and Agnes Beever-Jones all having standout campaigns. Chelsea looked on par with the Barcelona super team and were many people's favourites for the tie. 

And yet, Chelsea lost both games. Badly. Smashed 4-1 in both the home and away legs. 

After that, it felt like maybe Chelsea were destined to never win the Women's Champions League. No matter how good their team is, or how well they are playing, they simply cannot get over the line.

Chelsea's year is long overdue, but I, as a hopeful Chelsea fan, think that this could be the season Chelsea finally wins the Champions League. We have a manager at the helm who has won the competition before, in charge of, what I would consider, the best on-paper team in the world. 

Chelsea have the European Championship's goalkeeper of the tournament in Hannah Hampton, behind a defence that includes two Euros-winning centre-backs in addition to two of the best full-backs in world football in Lucy Bronze and Sandy Baltimore. A double pivot of serial winners Erin Cuthbert and Kiera Walsh precedes two of the most exciting prospects in the women's game in Wieke Kaptein and Hamano, feeding one of either Beever-Jones or the now injury-free Sam Kerr.

But what makes Chelsea so strong this season is their squad depth. I haven't even mentioned the likes of Sjoeke Nüsken, Guro Reiten, the injured Mayra Ramírez or new signings Naomi Girma, Ellie Carpenter and Alyssa Thompson. 

I also believe that my confidence comes from the fact that Barcelona have been severely weakened over the summer due to the club's financial issues, causing the Liga F champions to lose six players, notably experienced players such as Ingrid Engen, Fridolina Rolfö and Jana Fernández.

With their European rival weakened and their squad stacked, I truly do believe this could be the year Chelsea capitalises and finally wins the Champions League.

Honestly, I cannot see any team in the competition beating them.