Why are Chelsea ready to make Girma the first million-dollar player in women's football?

Women's football is reaching new heights, and this winter transfer window is likely to continue to break records.

It will not surprise fans that at the heart of this news is Chelsea, as the Blues continue to drive standards and innovation in the women’s game.

According to widespread reports, Chelsea are on the brink of smashing the transfer record, and they are going to do that to sign a defender.

That player is Naomi Girma, the San Diego Wave and United States star, with Chelsea poised to pay around a $1.1 million fee.

The defender has been in hot demand since playing a pivotal role in the USWNT's success at the Olympics last summer, and the 24-year-old had been described by former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, who is now in charge of the USA, in extremely complimentary terms.

"She's the best defender I've ever seen," Hayes said after her side's semi-final victory against Germany at the 2024 Olympics.

With praise from arguably one of the best coaches of all time, there is little surprise she has demanded such a high figure.

To give some context, this fee will easily surpass the current world record transfer fee set by Bay FC when signing Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF in February 2024 for $860,000.

In terms of a fee paid by an English club, this would smash the record by an even bigger margin. Chelsea signed Colombia striker Mayra Ramirez last January for €450,000 (worth around £384,000 at the time) plus up to €50,000 in add-ons. Girma's transfer will be more than double that of her new team-mate.

But what makes Naomi Girma so special, and why have European giants such as Chelsea and Lyon been fighting it out for her signature?

A Shining Light of the Stars and Stripes

Despite the USWNT recording their worst-ever finish at a World Cup in 2023 and being knocked out in the last 16 by Sweden, there was a glimmer of light for the side at the tournament. A young Girma played in her first World Cup and was part of a defence that allowed just one goal at that tournament across the four 90 minutes they played.

That year, she was named the 2023 USWNT player of the year and her impact on the national team has continued to be key for new boss Hayes and, specifically, the team's impressive success in Paris, when they won the gold medal.

All tournament success is built on a solid defence, and the USWNT certainly displayed their defensive fortitude in Paris. They conceded just two goals across the entire tournament, the joint-fewest by any team, while also recording a tournament-high four clean sheets.

USA ended the tournament with three consecutive clean sheets, becoming the first team in Olympic history to not concede a goal in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Key to their success was Girma, who racked up the most minutes (600) of any player in the tournament, with her importance meaning Hayes ensured she played every minute available.

The 24-year-old had also done so in the 2023 World Cup and, across the two major tournaments, has helped the team to keep seven clean sheets in her 10 matches.

In Paris, she was number one in the rankings for making more passes (610), carries (200) and clearances (31) than any other player at the tournament, while also having the best pass accuracy (95.0%).

What Girma has brought to the NWSL

There was much anticipation and buzz around the young defender ahead of the 2022 NWSL draft.

She was selected as the first pick by the San Diego Wave, a prestigious honour, setting up a fierce reputation for a player who would swiftly become one of the league’s best defenders.

From her NWSL debut in May 2022 until the end of the 2024 season, Girma won the most possession in the defensive third (304), and made the joint-most progressive ball carries (548).

In fact, she ranked among the top four for blocks (55 – third), clearances (287 – second) and successful passes (3213 – fourth), maintaining a solid level of performance throughout her time in the competition.

Girma has been named NWSL Defender of the Year on two occasions, in 2022 and 2023 respectively, helping the San Diego Wave to win the NWSL Shield in the latter under ex-Manchester United boss Casey Stoney.

In 2024, she continued her solid performances for the Wave, finishing with the best passing accuracy of any player to attempt 600+ passes, completing 91.4% (1328/1453). She also ranked in the top ten in the league for total clearances with 95.

Over the course of the season, she appeared in 20 matches, playing 1,715 minutes, ranking among the top five players in the league for blocks, having made 22, and duels won, winning 63.9%.

Her time at the San Diego Wave has led to their collective success, and she will be hoping to replicate that as she moves to Chelsea.

Why do Chelsea need her?

Sonia Bompastor and Chelsea are looking for winners as they attempt to do what no other English side has done since Arsenal won the Quadruple in 2007.

Chelsea are currently unbeaten in all competitions and have looked unstoppable this season.

Even under Hayes, the Women's Champions League alluded them, but adding Girma to their ranks of superstars could be the final piece of the puzzle, especially after beating continental rivals Lyon to her signature.

Her arrival comes at a good time too – Chelsea, like all WSL clubs, have lost major players to ACL injuries and the loss of Kadeisha Buchanan after a bright start to the season does leave the Blues short on quality in that area of the pitch.

Chelsea do currently boast one of the best defensive records in the WSL, conceding the second-fewest goals (six) and keeping the second-most clean sheets (seven, behind Arsenal), so Bompastor will be hoping their quick move to add defensive cover will keep that intact.

Girma provides additional qualities to complement her new team-mates like Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright. Her intelligent positioning, strength and ability to read the game in front of her whilst also showing raw athleticism will give them an additional layer to their defence.

With the games now coming fast and thick in all competitions, it is a timely addition to ensure they remain in control in the WSL, with their lead currently six points over Arsenal, ahead of their big top-of-the-table clash this weekend.

But make no doubt about it, such a significant transfer is a move they hope can provide that elusive Champions League crown and start a new era of success under Bompastor.

With huge momentum under new coach Bompastor and some major muscle in the defence with proven winners such as Bronze, Bright and now Girma, this could be their year in Europe.