Chelsea’s Naomi Girma says her team will be looking to improve their level in the season to come – despite the Blues winning a domestic treble in 2024-25.
“We feel like we have another level we can get to,” she said in an interview with the Guardian. “It’s not about how we maintain this level but how we continue evolving and keep getting better. Having that mentality is always better than focusing on making sure no one catches us.
“If you ask any one of us, we feel like last year we could have played better, we could have had better performances so continuing to evolve as a team and continuing to get better is what we’re going to prioritise.”
In a wide-ranging interview, the American likened the “never say die…never give up” Chelsea mindset to that of her international side, for whom she has picked up almost a half-century of caps, saying: “That is the mentality I have been raised with and try to bring to a team. So whenever you’re around a group that believes that and is trying to put that into every single game, every single session, that just brings out the best in you and the group. It’s one of my favourite parts of this club.”
Girma: Moving to Chelsea was a long-term decision
The defender signed for Chelsea in January 2025, arriving from San Diego Wave where she started her senior career in a then-world record deal, but was not available for selection due to injury until March.
She described the timing of her move as “awkward”, as it was during the American close season and she was some way from full match fitness.
“No one will ever expect more from me than I do for myself. All of those expectations from other people were there, but I wanted myself to come in and make an impact as much as I can, more than anyone else. I got injured, that’s soccer, and it was about having perspective.
“I didn’t come here to play for six months. I’m here for four years now so while it’s hard in the moment, this was a long-term decision and a place where I see myself playing and getting better for a while.”
Girma was US Soccer’s Female Player of the Year in 2023 and won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, where she played every minute of the tournament.
Chelsea start their WSL campaign this time round on Friday, 5th September when they take on Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
