The Blues won the WSL for a fifth consecutive season last campaign under the departing Emma Hayes and Bompastor has big shoes to fill after arriving from Lyon for a new era in the women’s game. The Chelsea squad has also seen several changes, with England international Lucy Bronze the pick of the new signings.

The dawn of a new WSL era begins as Chelsea open their title defence against a revitalised Aston Villa, both led by fresh minds eager to impress.