Chelsea’s ambitious investment strategy, fueled by a $26.52 million stake from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is heavily focused on acquiring top USWNT talent. This bold move reflects a long-term vision to establish Chelsea as ‘America’s team,’ as Ohanian himself stated, with aspirations of a future billion-dollar franchise. The club’s primary target currently is 18-year-old USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes, a player who has already attracted interest from Lyon following a notable performance during Ajax’s 2022-23 Champions League quarterfinal against Chelsea. This pursuit immediately pits Chelsea against Lyon, a traditionally dominant force in European women’s football, for the highly-rated Dutch-born American international. The acquisition of Yohannes represents a key component of Chelsea’s broader recruitment strategy, spearheaded by General Manager Paul Green. This strategy is centered on identifying and securing young international players, predominantly those under 22 years of age, reflecting a commitment to building a sustainable and competitive squad for years to come. Chelsea’s approach is further bolstered by extensive scouting networks and detailed databases meticulously tracking promising talent around the world, with a particular emphasis on players nearing their 18th birthday, aligning with their prioritization of homegrown criteria. The club’s recent signings underscore this commitment, including Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng, 23, and German forward Mara Alber, 19, both of whom have signed four-year contracts, strategically aligned with Chelsea’s ambitious ‘Vision 2030’ project.
While neither player anticipates significant playing time in their initial season, reflecting Chelsea’s focus on a developmental pathway for young players, these signings represent vital additions to the squad’s depth. Beyond these recent additions, Chelsea is actively pursuing several other high-profile targets, most notably Liverpool forward Olivia Smith, a 20-year-old Canada international who scored 11 goals in her debut WSL season. Liverpool, however, is expected to demand a world-record fee for Smith, demonstrating the club’s recognition of her significant potential. Furthermore, Chelsea is exploring potential swap deals to navigate WSL squad regulations, including considering a trade involving Ashley Lawrence. At right-back, manager Sonia Bompastor has identified former Lyon player Ellie Carpenter, 25, as a long-term successor to the experienced Lucy Bronze, signaling a clear plan for future defensive stability.
The club's strategy isn't solely focused on immediate sporting success; it also recognizes the substantial commercial value of American players. The signing of record-breaking defender Naomi Girma, who joined for $1.1 million in January, has already generated increased shirt sales and ticket demand across the Atlantic, illustrating the potential for a strong American fanbase to support the team. Chelsea’s investment in USWNT stars represents a calculated move to tap into a burgeoning market and establish a global brand, ultimately aiming to transform the club into a dominant force not just in England, but worldwide. The club’s approach, combining sporting merit with commercial opportunities, is poised to significantly impact the future of women’s football, both domestically and internationally, marking a new era for Chelsea Women.
