Three things we learned as Chelsea Women issue 3-0 warning in Sydney
Chelsea Women ended their Australasian tour with another statement result as Sonia Bompastor’s side beat the A-League Women All Stars 3-0 in Sydney. Sandy Baltimore, Sjoeke Nüsken and Lexi Potter supplied the goals as the Blues followed their 7-0 victory over Auckland FC with another convincing performance.
The tour was primarily about fitness and preparation, but Chelsea return home having scored 10 goals without conceding across their two matches.
Bompastor also welcomed Lauren James back into the side for her first appearance of pre-season, while Hannah Hampton and Lucy Bronze returned to the starting XI, as confirmed by Chelsea’s official team news.
Here are three things we learned from another impressive Chelsea performance.
Lexi Potter is making Bompastor’s decision harder
Potter could hardly have responded better to starting on the bench.
The 19-year-old dropped out of the XI after starting against Auckland, with James coming into the team, but Potter made her opportunity count after being introduced in Sydney.
She scored Chelsea’s third goal to put the result beyond doubt and continue an encouraging pre-season for the academy graduate.
Potter became increasingly involved with Bompastor’s senior squad last season and this tour has given her another opportunity to show she belongs at that level.
Competition for midfield minutes will be fierce, but scoring against the A-League All Stars ensures she returns to Cobham having strengthened her case.
Lauren James return gives Chelsea another major weapon
James making her first appearance of pre-season was arguably as significant as the result.
She joined an attack containing Aggie Beever-Jones, Baltimore and Alyssa Thompson, underlining the depth Bompastor will have available when competitive football begins.
Beever-Jones has already made her own statement on this tour. ReadChelsea covered the striker’s message after her stunning hat-trick against Auckland, while Baltimore has continued to provide an attacking threat.
Getting James fit again makes Bompastor’s selection decisions considerably more difficult.
Chelsea will face much tougher opponents during the season, but having several forwards pushing each other for places gives the manager considerable flexibility.
Chelsea already look difficult to break down
Ten goals across two matches will grab attention, but Chelsea’s defensive record during the tour should encourage Bompastor just as much.
The Blues have finished both matches without conceding.
Hampton returned in goal in Sydney after Livia Peng featured against Auckland, while Bronze came back into the side and captained Chelsea alongside Naomi Girma in defence.
Chelsea’s ability to change personnel without losing control of matches is an encouraging sign ahead of the new campaign.
Pre-season results should never be overanalysed, but 10 goals scored and none conceded represents an excellent return from Chelsea’s two games.
The serious tests are still to come.
Bompastor could hardly have asked for a cleaner start.
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Chelsea 3-0 A-League All Stars: Lexi Potter steals the show
Chelsea 3-0 A-League All Stars: Lexi Potter steals the show
WATCH: Lexi Potter makes it 3-0 as Chelsea run riot in Sydney
WATCH: Lexi Potter makes it 3-0 as Chelsea run riot in Sydney