Naomi Girma, the 24-year-old United States women's national team star, has made headlines with her record-breaking move to Chelsea. The talented defender joined the London club from San Diego Wave on Sunday in a world-record deal, becoming the first player in the women's game to command a transfer fee exceeding $1 million. Girma was unveiled at Stamford Bridge on the same day as Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory over their London rivals, Arsenal.
Despite the excitement surrounding her arrival, Girma is currently nursing a calf problem that has left her short of match fitness. Her last appearance was in mid-December during the USWNT's friendly win over the Netherlands. Consequently, she will not be available for selection in Chelsea's upcoming fixtures, as she focuses on recovery and regaining full fitness.
Chelsea's reputation for a "winning culture" played a significant role in convincing Girma to make the move to west London. The club expects her to elevate their performance even further. Sonia Bompastor, a well-respected figure in women's football, praised Girma's abilities on both ends of the field.
"I think Naomi is a defender who is really comfortable with the ball in possession." – Sonia Bompastor
Bompastor highlighted Girma's versatility and her ability to influence the game both defensively and offensively.
"She's able to have a big impact because she's comfortable on passing the ball, kicking short, kicking long. She's also able to drive with the ball and create [an] advantage numerically." – Sonia Bompastor
Girma's intelligence and speed are expected to be key assets for Chelsea's defensive strategy. Bompastor emphasized her ability to recover possession swiftly and maintain high defensive lines.
"I think out of possession, she's a really smart player. She has a lot of speed so she's able to play really high on the pitch and recover the ball with the space behind her back. So yeah, it'll bring a big impact to our team." – Sonia Bompastor
As Chelsea looks forward to integrating Girma into their squad, her presence is anticipated to bring an additional layer of quality and confidence. Despite already possessing a talented roster, Girma's capabilities are expected to enhance team dynamics significantly.
"She will bring a lot of quality to the squad, even if the squad is already talented." – Sonia Bompastor
The club aims for Girma's skill set to propel them to new heights within domestic and international competitions.
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