Chelsea Women have made four changes for tonight’s decisive Women’s Champions League qualifier against Real Sociedad, with Kadeisha Buchanan, Lucy Bronze, Lexi Potter and Wieke Kaptein coming into the starting XI.
Sonia Bompastor’s side take a 5-2 aggregate advantage into the second leg in San Sebastian after winning an entertaining opening game at Plough Lane last week.
Bronze captains Chelsea tonight as the Blues attempt to secure their place in the league phase.
Your Starting XI for Sociedad. ✨#UWCL pic.twitter.com/NEURr4iMyN
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 2, 2026
Chelsea make four changes against Real Sociedad
Bompastor has changed almost half of the outfield side that started the first leg.
Buchanan replaces Veerle Buurman in defence, while Bronze comes into the side in place of Katie McCabe.
There are also two midfield changes.
Lexi Potter and Wieke Kaptein start after Sjoeke Nusken and Alyssa Thompson were named in the XI for Chelsea’s 5-2 first-leg victory.
Hannah Hampton remains in goal, with Ellie Carpenter and Naomi Girma joining Buchanan and Bronze among Chelsea’s defensive options.
Keira Walsh starts alongside Potter and Kaptein, while Sandy Baltimore and Lauren James retain their places.
Aggie Beever-Jones again leads the attack.
Should she feature, Beever-Jones will make her 99th Chelsea appearance, as the club confirmed when announcing the travelling squad for Spain.
Chelsea are without Nathalie Bjorn, Erin Cuthbert, Mayra Ramirez and Manaka Matsukubo, with four players ruled out ahead of the Champions League decider.
Chelsea: Hampton, Carpenter, Girma, Buchanan, Bronze (c), Walsh, Potter, Kaptein, Baltimore, James, Beever-Jones.
Substitutes: Peng, Spencer, Buurman, McCabe, Las, Sarwie, Nusken, Hamano, Dragoni, Thompson.
Chelsea kick off in San Sebastian at 6pm BST, holding a three-goal advantage in the tie.
The winners will advance to the Women’s Champions League league phase.
Chelsea suffer fresh injury blow before Champions League decider
Chelsea suffer fresh injury blow before Champions League decider
Chelsea sanction another midfield exit after £125m Enzo sale
Chelsea sanction another midfield exit after £125m Enzo sale