Lionesses star Lucy Bronze reveals role she wants at Chelsea after returning to WSL from Barcelona adventure

The 32-year-old defender finds herself back in the WSL for a third time, having previously spent time with Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City. Professional wings have been spread when enjoying Champions League-winning spells at Lyon and Barcelona.

Bronze is excited to be taking on a new challenge in west London, telling Chelsea’s official website of adjusting quickly to new surroundings and becoming a source of inspiration to others: "It’s a role I play in England and a role that I’ve played at most clubs I’ve been at in recent years. I’ve got a lot of experience and I want to bring that to Chelsea, especially at the highest level. Talking about the Champions League and things like that is something I can bring to a team filled with young players that have so much potential. The young players are itching to get on that stage and to win more games to become better players. I like to think that I could help them at this point of their career at the club."

Bronze is one of four new arrivals at Chelsea, with Julia Barte, Oriane Jean-Francois and Sandy Baltimore also being snapped up. The Euro 2022 winner will be doing all she can to help fellow recruits settle, adding: "I’ve been more with the new signings because I also know how it feels to be that person. They’re quite young and are from different countries, and I speak a bit of French and Spanish, so I've been trying to help them a little to make sure they settle because I know it’s difficult to go to another country. It’s hard if you can’t speak the language or are not confident in the language, you’re maybe scared to ask questions, so I’ve tried to help them and make it easier for them if I can."

Chelsea are preparing for life without Emma Hayes at the helm, with the talismanic coach that oversaw so much success over the course of a 12-year reign now in charge of the USWNT – who she has just guided to gold medal glory at the 2024 Olympic Games.