Million-Dollar Naomi Girma Could Be Decisive In Chelsea’s UWCL Chase

For the third time in the last year or so, the women’s soccer transfer record has been broken. Chelsea started the trend by signed Mayra Ramírez last January, but was soon outmatched by Bay FC’s acquisition of Racheal Kundananji. The Blues are now back on top as they have paid a reported fee of $1.1 million to bring in USWNT defender Naomi Girma. Having spent that amount of money, they will surely be expecting to get a lot in return.

Girma’s World-Beating Quality

Girma is indisputably among the very best defenders in the world right now as she is up there with the very best both in terms of on-ball quality and defensive solidity. Her performances for the San Diego Wave and USWNT over the last three years are a testament to that fact. She was named NWSL Defender of the Year on two occasions and has won major trophies in each of her senior seasons, including the NWSL Shield in 2023 and Olympic Gold last summer in Paris.

Despite contending with some slight injury issues for a period of the last season, Girma ensured that her performance levels remained exceptional whenever she was on the pitch. So, her stats from 2024 clearly show why she is so highly regarded.

Girma simply is one of the best ball progressors in the world. She always is incredibly composed and aware of the situation around her, both in terms of her teammates’ positions and potential sources of opposition pressure. She uses those qualities to almost always make the right decision, be it picking a simple pass, playing a more incisive ball down the middle or carrying it forward herself. Of course, her execution is just as excellent so her ball retention is just as brilliant.

The 24-year-old defender’s on-ball qualities are enough to make her an elite player, but she is just as good defensively. She shows great composure and anticipation in this respect as well, providing superb solidity to her team’s back line. She is very difficult to get past one-on-one too as her positioning is always impeccable and she has the speed to match anyone in a foot race.

All things considered, Girma is as close to the complete package as center backs come and would be a very valuable addition to any team in the world.

Fit In Chelsea’s Squad

Of course, Chelsea already is one of the very best teams in the world, so there are no glaring weaknesses in its squad. However, if there is one position where it could use a little more depth, it is center back.

Club captain Millie Bright is a nailed on starter when available (and has played every single minute in the WSL so far this season) but she only has a couple of obvious partners. Kadeisha Buchanan started a good few matches at the start of the season but tore her ACL in early November, so she will not be available anytime soon. So, Nathalie Björn is left as the only other experienced center back in Chelsea’s squad.

Girma will surely become one of the first names on the teamsheet when she is somewhat settled in London. The American international should be able to strike a great partnership witrh Bright since their profiles complement each other very well. The experienced Englishwoman is an imposing presence at the back thanks to her strength in duels but lacks a bit of agility in pace, which Girma can help cover up.

Under now-USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, Chelsea won all major domestic competitions on multiple occasions. However, the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) always eluded them as they stumbled on the big hurdles. Each of their last three knockout eliminations in the competition have come at the hands of Spanish giants Barcelona, while the only other teams to have defeated them are record champions Lyon and six-time finalists Wolfsburg. The Blues are now clearly stronger than most other opponents, but just need a final touch to get the better of the big-hitters. World-class players like Girma good well provide just that.