'Scary' Chelsea UEFA Women's Champions League favourites after landing 'outstanding' Naomi Girmay - Karen Carney

TNT Sports expert Karen Carney has said that Chelsea are favourites to win a maiden Champions League title after they signed Naomi Girma for a world-record fee. The Blues made the American centre-back the first ever female footballer to be purchased for over $1 million, as the defender was unveiled before Sonia Bompastor's side beat Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the WSL.

TNT Sports expert Karen Carney has hailed Chelsea’s new world-record signing Naomi Girma as "an outstanding talent" and "the best defender in the world". 

The Blues broke the bank – and the world transfer record – to bring in the American centre-back, who was unveiled as Sonia Bompastor’s latest signing before their Women’s Super League clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. 

Girma became the first women’s player to be purchased for over $1 million, with her fee reported to be $1.1m (£890,000). 

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Girma arrives from her native United States, where she was playing for the San Diego Wave, where she has become renowned for her composure on the ball and leadership, with US women’s head coach and former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes labelling Girma as "the best defender I’ve ever seen". 

That has led to The Blues making a move for her, with Canadian Kadeisha Buchanan ruled out with an ACL injury, leaving a hole in their backline. 

Chelsea, who lead the WSL by seven points after just 12 games, are undefeated in the league this term, with only one slight blemish on their record being a 1-1 draw at Leicester City. 

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They beat Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Guro Reiten’s late penalty on 84 minutes, but the main talking point was Girma’s signing, which Carney has called "brilliant", not just for the league leaders, but for the division as a whole. 

"She’s a top quality player," Carney said.

"I watched her in the Olympics. She’s an outstanding talent, the best defender in the world. It’s scary looking at Chelsea’s squad, and they’re adding her to that. Brilliant signing; great for the WSL. I think she’ll improve in the WSL. Excited.

"I’m surprised that they were the first million-pound club to buy her. It’s a big statement. It shows their intentions. They’re desperate to win the Champions League. They’ve got every opportunity to win it. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get the quadruple, even the treble. They’ve got a brilliant squad."

Carney backed Bompastor’s side to go on and challenge for the Champions League – a title that still eludes them. 

"I think they are the ones to beat," Carney said.

"I look at Lyon, Barcelona. They’re top, top teams, but they’re pushing. Lucy Bronze’s mentality added to that squad has made a huge difference. They’ve got every chance."

On where she thinks The Blues can strengthen, Carney, who made 36 appearances for Chelsea herself, identified central midfield as one position where her former side could be light in numbers.

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Video credit: SNTV

"They’re stacked everywhere," Carney said.

"They’re more balanced this year with more left footers in the team. One area [to strengthen] would be central midfield. I love Erin Cuthbert – who made her 200th appearance today – and they’ve got [Sjoeke] Nusken, [Wieke] Kaptein. Maybe one more in there might do it, but I’m being very greedy."

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