Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterKeira Walsh hopes her former Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas can make a major impact on the Womens Super League, with the midfielder excited to see her friend and two-time Ballon dOr winner take on the English game.Putellas moved to London City Lionesses this summer after 14 years with Barcelona, winning three Champions League titles in that time, two of which Walsh won alongside her in 2023 and 2024 during the 29-year-old's three year stint there.She is one of a number of high-profile arrivals and returning players in the WSL this summer, with Georgia Stanway and Ona Batlle joining Arsenal and Mary Earps and Kadidiatou Diani also joining Putellas at London City.'It shows where women's football is at in England'Alexias a big name but she's definitely got all the talent to back that up, Walsh said. So first and foremost, I hope that she has an impact in the league.I think after seeing how hard she works and what she's about, that would be great for her. But in general, it's really exciting to have one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world, in our league. You may like After seven years at Arsenal, I wanted to help Man City win Vivianne Miedema on transfer motivation and WSL growth London City Lionesses could really push Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea this season I was in a new team that won trophies, it can definitely happen with the right players England great speaks to FFT about the new campaign If you love football, you love that Messi won a World Cup Alexia Putellas journey from teenage fan to sharing the spotlight with fellow Barcelona legend It's a really exciting time for the league. If you look at a lot of the signings that have come in the summer, a lot of teams have strengthened. Being an English player, and having played in this league for so long, I first played here when I was 17 - so 12 years ago.To know that people see it as the most competitive league and one of the most attractive leagues, with the likes of Alexia coming over and playing here now.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.It just shows where womens football is at in England. Being in that space, it's really exciting to see that people are behind us and they're backing us.Its the biggest difference in the league now, from when I first joined - seeing all the top players coming from abroad and playing here.Its a really competitive league now and every team has an unbelievable squad. Seeing that squad depth and squad quality across most teams has improved so much. What to read next Alexia Putellas '100% confident' Spain can win World Cup despite Cape Verde setback 'Its exciting to be a part of that change' Ella Toone on a new era for the WSL and Manchester United JULES BREACH: Arsenal are still the team to beat this season, Morgan Rogers can help Chelsea challenge for silverware and Matthias Jaissle will give Newcastle a fresh start Chelsea chasing WSL glory again as they move to Stamford BridgeBut while Walsh is excited to see her former Barcelona team-mate in the WSL, her focus is firmly on helping Chelsea reclaim the title after Manchester City, Walshs former side, ended their remarkable run of six successive titles last season.The aim at Chelsea is always to win the WSL. Last year it went to City but the league was more competitive than it has been. In womens football in general, we want that but obviously I would have preferred for the trophy to have come back with us.We need to control games better this season and when we're on top, we need to close out games and ride out the tough moments to make it hard for teams to come back. We made it difficult for ourselves last season.This season also marks a significant change for Chelsea, as they move their home from Kingsmeadow to Stamford Bridge after nine years at the 4,850-capacity stadium in Kingston upon Thames.The Blues played four WSL games and all of their Champions League games at Stamford Bridge last season, but have now committed to host all of their home league matches at the 40,000-capacity stadium.I think it's an incredible move from the club, Walsh said, on the move to the 40,000-capacity stadium. Even just playing on a pitch of that quality in that stadium is an incredible feeling as a player.It makes you feel like you're being taken really seriously. And yeah, that's something that Chelsea have done. And I think to play in front of our fans at Stamford Bridge, you know, the place that we call home is really special.TOPICSAlexia PutellasChelsea WomenChelseaWomen's Super LeagueAyisha GulatiWomen's Football WriterAyisha Gulati is the women's football writer at FourFourTwo. Fresh from a summer covering the Lionesses triumphant Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland, she brings a passion for all things WSL, UWCL, and international womens football. She has interviewed names including Alessia Russo and Aitana Bonmati and enjoys telling stories that capture the excitement on and off the pitch.
