Lucy Bronze: Chelsea are the ‘best team’ to achieve UWCL dream | OneFootball

Lucy Bronze has already established herself as a legend of football but there is something she is chasing before she retires. The 32-year-old signed for Chelsea this summer to pursue a big dream — winning the Champions League with an English club.

Bronze spoke to media in Birmingham ahead of her first season in blue under new Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor. As she eyes another potential UWCL title, the defender revealed what made her join the decorated outfit.

Bronze revealed that the decision to sign for the Women’s Super League champions was a fast one after departing from Barcelona.

“Chelsea have been the best team in England for a number of years, been dominant in the league and then getting Sonia [Bompastor] and Camille [Abily] in as the coaches. I spoke to them for 30 seconds and I was a Chelsea player.

“I knew I wanted another new challenge — I was ready to do something else. It was in my mind that I needed to come back to England one more time.”

Bronze last played in the WSL in 2022 after leaving Lyon for a second stint with Manchester City. She signed for Barcelona two summers ago when her contract with the Citizens expired. The 32-year-old won seven trophies in her two seasons with Barca, including back-to-back Champions League titles.

A reunion built on success

Bronze’s move to Chelsea is also a welcome reunion with ex-Lyon manager Bompastor. The former France international served as head coach of the Première Ligue giants for three years, following a 12-year stint as their Academy manager. Bompastor took the vacant Chelsea role after Emma Hayes’ departure for the USWNT.

“They [Bompastador and Abily] are so demanding and have really high standards,” Bronze said. “They did it both as players and then as coaches, so I know what they can bring to a team. That could be the thing that takes Chelsea to another level. If we can get the best out of all these things that we’ve got and the talent that we’ve got, then I think we would be unstoppable against most teams.”

With Chelsea pushing for a Champions League title, it was a natural fit for Bronze who is hungry for more medals. The England international is a five-time European champion on the domestic stage.

“I think winning the Champions League with an English team has always been my dream,” she admitted. “I won the Champions League for the first time at Lyon, but nothing would ever be as good as doing it with an English team. That’s something that I felt playing for England as well. Winning a tournament with England means more to me than anything else.”

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With the thought of retirement starting to creep in, it’s only natural a player of Bronze’s calibre starts thinking about the legacy she will leave behind.

“I’m not at the start of my career, so I had to make smart moves to try to accomplish these dreams that I have. So coming to Chelsea, I wanted to win the Champions League with an English team and Chelsea are the best team to do that with.”

Recovery and fitness now a major priority

Historically, women’s footballers are most likely to retire between the ages of 32 and 34, making it increasingly important to focus on recovery and remaining injury free the more a player encroaches into this demographic and beyond. With Bronze now 32, the defender is mindful of scheduling and off-season recovery windows.

“This is the first time I’ve had a proper off-season, so I probably came in the least fit I’ve ever been. But I still beat all the kids in the fitness test, so I don’t mind that.” Bronze boasted. “It was nice to switch off. I knew that I had a longer pre-season with Chelsea to get myself fit again, so I allowed myself to rest and recover.”

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“I know how important that is. It’s a big season, not only for Chelsea, but for England as well. So I want to make sure that from the word ‘go’ to the very end of the summer next year, I’m in a good place. It’s been really nice to be at Chelsea. I feel really well-looked after here, there is a good connection with the England national team as well, it’s been better than I could have hoped for.”

Chelsea will host Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow in their first match of the 2024/25 Women’s Super League season.

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