Chelsea star Reiten predicts tight tussle for WSL crown

Chelsea forward Guro Reiten is predicting a difficult Women's Super League season for the Blues as Sonia Bompastor's side aim to retain their crown. 

The Blues stormed to their sixth WSL title in a row in 2024-25, going unbeaten in Bompastor's first season at the helm to finish 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal. 

But not only did they succeed in the league, Chelsea also completed a domestic treble, having also lifted the Women's League Cup and FA Cup in the same season. 

Chelsea are the clear favourites to lift their ninth WSL title by the Opta supercomputer, winning a mammoth 72.4% of the data-led season simulations. 

Manchester City (13.6%), Arsenal (10.1%) and Manchester United (3.9%) are all given an outside chance, but Reiten believes it will be closer than many are predicting. 

"All of them," Reiten told Stats Perform when asked who she thinks will be Chelsea's challengers for the title in 2025-26. 

"I think you know the leagues. It's tough every year, there's competition all the way and this year is going to be the same. 

"All of them can win it, all of them want to win it. We just have to work hard and be ready for every game, because every game matters."

Reiten joined Chelsea from LSK Kvinner in 2019, and has gone on to make 109 WSL appearances, scoring 37 goals as well as providing 32 assists. 

Indeed, since her debut in the top flight, only Beth England (74), Khadija Shaw (76), Sam Kerr (78), Lauren Hemp (81) and Vivianne Miedema (85) have more league goal contributions than Reiten's 69. 

But the 31-year-old has noticed an improvement in the division, despite Chelsea winning the last six titles under both Emma Hayes and Bompastor. 

"Like I said, it's every game that really matters. You know, the beginning till the end. You have to be focused. You can't think ahead," Reiten said.

"We've had different competitions, tournaments, Champions League in there, but if you want to win the league you got to stay in the moment and in the games that's come next.

"So, it's very difficult, very, there's been some last games of the season, a couple of years we've won it in the last game which is crazy. So, it's tight."

Chelsea start their WSL season with a mouth-watering clash at Stamford Bridge against Man City this Friday.

The Blues beat City in the League Cup final as well as recovering from a two-goal first-leg deficit to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League. 

Chelsea and Man City became the first WSL sides to meet five times in a single campaign across all competitions last season, with the Blues winning four of those meetings (L1) – they have also won six of their last seven home matches against the Citizens (L1), including both last season to nil.

"City are a great team, brought in some new players. They want to keep possession, they're fast up top, have a lot of quality in their team and in their squad," Reiten added.

"So we know that's going to be a tough test, but we have prepared really well. We had a good summer and then pre-season [will] soon be done, and we're ready to start."

One trophy that did slip through Chelsea's grasp last season was the Champions League, after they were thumped 8-2 by beaten finalists Barcelona in the last four.

Barcelona appeared destined to clinch a third-straight crown, but they were stunned 1-0 by Arsenal, with Stina Blackstenius' 74th-minute strike the difference. 

And while Reiten said that Arsenal's European conquest showcased the quality of the WSL, she insisted that Chelsea will be doing everything in their power to clinch a first European crown. 

"I think that's amazing, amazing for England. It shows the quality of the league, but everyone is working really hard to win that title," Reiten concluded.

"The margins are very small and Arsenal did it last year, but, very impressive, and this year's a new competition, and everyone wants to win it. 

"So it's going to be hard, and we just have to work every day to be ready for this campaign."