Naomi Girma: Chelsea break records in special January transfer window

While this January was fairly quiet for most teams in men’s football this year, the women’s game was marked by a number of exciting moves. Table-topping WSL side Chelsea indisputably had the pick of the bunch, after securing the services of Naomi Girma in an unprecedented deal.

No set of fans will be more happy than those stationed at Kingsmeadow after the Blues secured the record-breaking signing of San Diego Wave centre back Girma for a fee of £900,000. Regarded as the USA’s next huge star, the 2000-born defender will be hoping to make an immediate impact at the heart of Chelsea’s defence.

Chelsea would also sign midfielder Kiera Walsh before the end of the window, adding another of the world’s very best to their already talented team. Walsh previously broke the transfer record in 2022 when she joined Barcelona for £400k. The amount Chelsea paid for the England International remains undisclosed, but is likely to match or exceed her previous valuation.

Increasing investment in women’s football gives the fast-developing sport extra momentum

Although many pundits have touted both moves as a positive, and a clear signal that investment into women’s sides is swiftly rising, some believe that Chelsea’s high spending is too much, too soon. Managers across the WSL, including Manchester United boss Marc Skinner and Everton coach Brian Sorensen, have expressed disappointment that Chelsea’s additions will surely guarantee them the title – the London side are already seven points clear of closest rivals United, and remain unbeaten.

Sorensen in particular emphasised the rift between his struggling Everton side and Chelsea in a recent press conference, stating that “They spend [on Girma] what we spend on our squad in an entire year, so that’s a gap, right?” Chelsea’s high spending remains a divisive subject for WSL fans. On one hand, increasing investment in women’s football gives the fast-developing sport extra momentum. However, when money is only spent unilaterally, the same issues of imbalance which plague the men’s Premier League could start to show.

It would be wrong to say at this stage that Chelsea are not entirely without competitors, as an active transfer window for all of the WSL’s chasing pack demonstrates.

Chelsea’s latest signings could be all they need to take home the Champions League trophy

One of the most intriguing stories of the window was the loan move of Chloe Kelly from Manchester City to Arsenal. Kelly, who has only played 169 minutes of league football this season, made a sincere and emotional statement on social media criticising her treatment by manager Gareth Taylor. Posting to Instagram, the England International wrote that being prevented a permanent move away was ‘disappointing’, and expressed clearly that she would let her contract expire in June. All eyes will surely be on her at the Emirates, as she looks to secure her place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2025.

Competition around the top and bottom spots of the WSL remains tight, and several clubs made ambitious signings in the hope of climbing the league table. Brighton, who are enjoying a good season in fifth place, signed exciting midfielder Nadine Noordam from Ajax to bolster their attacking options. Liverpool signed a Frauen-Bundesliga winner in Sam Kerr (not that one) on loan, while second-place Manchester City acquired Brazil forward Kerolin to aid their pursuit of the league leaders. At the foot of the table, Crystal Palace’s new signings could be enough to keep them up: Swedish top-flight duo Clarissa Larisey and Ria Oling both signed permanent deals, while Allyson Swaby joined from AC Milan to help shore up the defence.

Remaining well within a chance of winning all four competitions they take part in, Chelsea’s latest signings could be all they need to take home the Champions League trophy – the first for any English side since 2006. Frustrated rivals aside, Girma’s transfer is a watershed moment for women’s football, and will surely be followed by more record-breaking deals in the immediate future.