Following the announcement, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said the club plans to enter an academy team in the third tier. She noted that these changes were effectively set in motion last season and drew on her experience developing youth players at Lyon.
In March (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clyg0d2v5gyo), Bompastor urged the FA to consult with leading clubs on reshaping the domestic league structure to better support youth development.
She called the move an excellent decision and the most effective way to nurture young talent in England, stressing that academies play a pivotal role in countries like France and at clubs such as Lyon. She added that Chelsea will ensure their youngsters compete in that division to maximize their growth.
Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze also supports the changes, saying her time in France and Spain highlighted how different youth pathways are across Europe.
Bronze observed that in those systems, the jump to first-team football is less daunting because young players regularly face senior opposition, which accelerates their progress. She pointed to the success of similar models abroad and emphasized creating spaces where today’s youth can both develop and compete.
With the women’s game still expanding and limited top-level opportunities worldwide, she said this approach allows Chelsea players to stay connected to the first team while getting meaningful, competitive minutes on the weekend.