Dowie insists Bompastor appointment shows growth of WSL

Natasha Dowie believes Chelsea’s appointment of Sonia Bompastor highlights the new-found global appeal of the Women’s Super League.

Bompastor enjoyed three successful years at Lyon, including winning a Champions League, before deciding to move on and replace Emma Hayes this summer.

Hayes led the Blues to seven WSL titles overall, winning each of the last five in a row, and Bompastor now has the challenge of becoming the first manager in WSL history to win the league on their first attempt.

Dowie, who is now a Liverpool ambassador after winning the league twice with the Reds, thinks it shows just how much the WSL has grown in recent times.

She told Stats Perform: “I think it’s not just the best players in the world that want to come and play in England now, it’s the best managers in the world. And that wasn’t the case back in the day, and I think that’s just brilliant.”

Furthermore, Dowie also notes that her appointment could also prove crucial in terms of Chelsea finally claiming their elusive Champions League title, following several near misses and a defeat in the 2021 final.

“She’s won everything at Lyon,” Dowie added. “So now to move to a club like Chelsea, who have pretty much won the league the last five years, I think now the challenge for her and what she probably is excited about is how can we help Chelsea win the Champions League? That’s all they haven’t won.”

The former striker is also excited at the prospect of Sam Kerr returning from injury, believing that she can once again play a key role for the Blues.

Sam Kerr really is clutch. https://t.co/Ixk20KDJKp pic.twitter.com/uTjsHF9rbg

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 18, 2024

The Australian suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during Chelsea’s winter training camp in January, ruling her out for the second half of the season.

Before her injury, Kerr was averaging 0.61 goals per 90 minutes, from 3.66 shots per 90, with a 16.67% conversion rate.

“[Kerr] is the number one striker, and she does it in the big pressure games, she always produces, and I think they missed her last year even though they won the league,” Dowie said.

“I think that to have a Sam Kerr in your team – it’s a nightmare for any team and I think all fans, the way that she’s entertaining as well, the backflip, the kind of charisma that she has, she brings a lot to the game.

“So yeah, I think we’re all excited to see her back performing.”

Dowie predicts Manchester United to have an improved WSL campaign this year, following their FA Cup final success last season.

The Red Devils finished just two points behind Chelsea in 2022-23 but struggled to replicate that last year, and have since lost key players, including Mary Earps.

“I do think United will push on again this year,” said Dowie.

“I think that to be fighting for the title with Chelsea the year before and then to obviously finish fifth last year was really disappointing.

“I think there’ll be a team this year that will be up there again competing for trophies, so you could say that United could be a surprise package.”