What a season! The newly named Chelsea FC Women capped a historic season with the crown of invincibles. This was the first season that the Women’s league ran concurrently with the Men’s league and Chelsea adapted to the changes of a gruelling 9 month campaign better than anyone else and deservedly came out on top. Let’s have a recap on some of the high points of the year:
Player of the Season – Fran Kirby
This award couldn’t have gone to anyone else. Super Fran Kirby was a joy to watch from the very first day of the season to the last. Her stat line reads 25 goals in 29 starts but that doesn’t even highlight her importance to the success of this Chelsea side. Her intelligent use of movement to create space for her teammates, her involvement in the intricate passing moves as well as the contributions in vital moments of matches just when Chelsea needed her most. She can add this award to the already vast number of awards she has won this season including: PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year, the inaugural Football Writers Association Women’s Player of the Year, Chelsea Women’s Player of the Year and finally, being the top scorer in all competitions in the country.
Goal of the Season – Maren Mjelde (Home vs Bristol City)
A beautiful sequence as a switch of play from the left side of the area to the right side was headed down by Karen Carney into the path of the onrushing Mjelde who took a gorgeous first touch with her left knee past the hapless Bristol defender before a clinical half volley into the net.
Signing of the Season – Magdalena Eriksson
The Swedish international joined from Swedish champions Linköpings FC in the summer and has slotted into the Chelsea defence with ease. The left footer has played on the left side of the back three and formed part of the meanest defence in WSL 1, her adaptation to English football has been effortless.
Moment of the Season – The final whistle on the last day
In a season filled with amazing moments for the team, Chelsea Women waited until the final moments of the last game to create the sweetest moment of all. Going into the final game of the season away at Liverpool, Chelsea were aiming to go through their entire league campaign without defeat. Liverpool hadn’t read the script however and took a two goal lead and held that lead as the game approached the final 20 minutes. However, goals from the departing Eni Aluko and a double from Ji So-Yun, with the second coming in the 87th minute, capped a thrilling comeback and once the final whistle was blown, Chelsea Women had earned the right to be called ‘invincibles’
