While the majority of deals done in the women’s game are free transfers, spending almost doubled from £2.6m in 2022 to £4.8m last year. In that period, Manchester United (Geyse) and Arsenal (Kyra Cooney-Cross) broke their transfer records, while the English Women’s Super League (WSL) record was also smashed as Manchester City spent a reported £300,000 to land Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord from Wolfsburg.
But January 2024 has seen the spending slow down — in the men’s game as well — and, in general, there has not been as much excitement as previous years.
Although they only signed two players (as well as letting midfielder Jessie Fleming move to the Portland Thorns FC for around £250,000), Chelsea’s moves for Nathalie Björn and Mayra Ramírez are both long-term signings masquerading as short-term fixes.
There’s no hiding from centre-back Millie Bright‘s struggles with fitness over the last year or so — although the news around her potential return seems to be positive — nor star striker Sam Kerr‘s recent ACL injury. Both Ramírez and Björn are likely to be the building blocks for this Chelsea team moving forward with coach Emma Hayes swift to praise Björn on her debut, likening her to compatriot and former Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson.
Able to play multiple positions, Björn’s fast start to life in a Chelsea shirt should stand her in good stead even when Bright returns from injury. Ramírez, similarly, can operate in various roles in attack and isn’t just a replacement for Kerr, but is set to be a key puzzle piece as the attack continues to grow and challenge in European competition. But the deal did cost a world record transfer fee.
