Missed chances, defensive…

Following Chelsea’s rocky start in their Women’s Super League opener, there are concerns about potential struggles in front of goal as they aim to reclaim domestic supremacy.

For much of the match, Chelsea appeared to be in control. Lauren James scored in the 11th minute, and the team went on to dominate possession. However, their inability to convert opportunities—34 chances with only eight hitting the target—prevented a more decisive outcome.

Ultimately, Chelsea’s shortcomings cost them. An organized pressing game from Aston Villa led to confusion at the back, culminating in a mistake by defender Veerle Buurman that allowed Villa to equalize, resulting in dropped points for Chelsea on the first day of the season.

It is, of course, too early for sweeping assessments based on a single match. This is just the beginning of a new 24-game season following league expansion, and Chelsea has only competed in one game so far. Yet, a 1-1 draw marked the first time Villa has earned points against the eight-time champions, which is not the strong message the dethroned champions would have wanted to send.

Chelsea has enjoyed success in recent seasons, becoming accustomed to being the reference point in England, setting the standard and dominating the domestic game.

With a world-class attacking lineup, an experienced manager, and significant financial backing, Chelsea remained unchallenged at the top for six consecutive seasons.

Last year, however, Manchester City dethroned them, securing their first league title in a decade and bringing Chelsea back down to earth.

Manager Sonia Bompastor took over a title-winning squad last season, making some changes but primarily relying on a team built by her predecessor, Emma Hayes, which led to a domestic treble.

In her first season fully implementing her vision, Bompastor started replacing the “old guard” with players that matched her style. This transition led to Chelsea dropping points and only securing one trophy—the League Cup—during what was a disappointing campaign by their standards.

This season marks a fresh start for Bompastor, who has a squad increasingly reflective of her approach. Notably, six players from the starting XI against Aston Villa were signed under her management.

Rebuilding a successful team can be more challenging than simply maintaining it.

Despite Chelsea’s activity in the transfer market, they are still in search of a reliable No. 9. Forward Aggie Beever-Jones had a goal disallowed for offside on Saturday, highlighting the team’s struggles in that department.

Former Manchester United striker Melvine Malard had shown promise in the Champions League qualifiers but is currently sidelined with injury, while the situation regarding new signing Manaka Matsukubo remains unclear due to Bompastor’s vague comments about her recovery.

Additionally, Mayra Ramírez has been plagued by injuries, returning only to face yet another setback during preseason, with no timeline for her return yet established.

While James and Alyssa Thompson have sometimes filled the striker role effectively, both were positioned in their natural wide roles this time, leaving Chelsea without a consistent central presence in the box, contributing to the stuttering attack.

The situation might have appeared less critical if Aston Villa’s debut goalkeeper hadn’t delivered a stellar performance, answering the numerous challenges Chelsea presented.

Many anticipated that 21-year-old summer recruit Akane Okuma would serve as third-choice keeper behind English internationals Ellie Roebuck and Emily Ramsey. However, with both unavailable, Okuma seized her opportunity with an impressive performance, making nine crucial saves to keep Villa competitive.

There are positive aspects to take away from the match. Chelsea’s capacity to generate a wide array of chances is promising and indicates that there are more goals to come. The key now is to capitalize on those opportunities to regain their winning momentum.

“We’re not going to panic,” said summer signing Katie McCabe. “It’s only the start of the season.”

This statement aptly summarizes the situation. Chelsea has no reason to hit the panic button after just one match, but they are aware that improvements are needed.

The Blues will be hopeful that this shaky start is a mere blip and that by the season’s end, they will see the WSL trophy back in its rightful place: their cabinet.