Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor has spoken out about the possibility of the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) being expanded to include Scottish clubs Celtic and Rangers.
According to new reports from The timesThe Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) are looking at ways to grow the women’s game and have explored the possibility of adding the two Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) teams to their ranks.
All discussions are understood to be at an early stage and no official steps have been taken by either party. According to league regulations, the notice period for leaving the SWPL is two seasons, meaning the restructuring will not take place in the near future.
Chelsea’s Bompastor was asked to share her thoughts on the matter as the team prepare for this weekend’s WSL second leg against West Ham United.
“These two teams joining the WSL are two big brands and that would be good,” she said.
Many concerns have been raised about the negative impact such a move could have on the Scottish league. Abandoning the two giants would not be conducive to the growth of domestic football, a statement Bompastor repeated when asked.
“On the other hand, it wouldn’t be good for your country,” said the head coach. “They are big brands and it would be good for their country to keep them.”
The WPLL is also reportedly exploring the idea of a closed league. This means that the promotion and relegation system will be abolished, which will lead to the dissolution of the traditional English class system.
Although Bompastor remained level-headed about the debate between Celtic and Rangers, she was sure to express her opposition to the closed league proposal.
“Competitively it’s always good when you have a relegation,” she added. “When you’re a team, you’re always fighting for something. Sometimes you fight for titles and sometimes you fight not to be relegated, that’s part of the competition.”
Good news for Blues fans as Bompastor gives a fitness update for her side as they face West Ham at the Chigwell Construction Stadium this Sunday. The head coach has confirmed that star striker Johanna Rytting Kaneryd will be fit for her return against the Irons.
Wieke Kaptein was taken off the pitch in the final moments of Chelsea’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic last weekend after what appeared to be a serious blow. Bompastor has confirmed that Kaptein is “fine” but was unable to train with the team this week.
However, the head coach confirms that the 19-year-old is “returning to a position where she will be ready to train on Saturday” and is likely to be included in the squad for the game against Durham in the Subway Women’s League Cup.