Naomi Girma comes over for our end-of-season chat, and she explains that the players are waiting for individual meetings before they all head off on their respective summer breaks.

While there is a reason that the squad has not yet gone home, the relaxed atmosphere shows how they have bonded as a collective and how comfortable they are in each other’s company.

It feels like being part of a happy community. And extending that welcoming space to our supporters when we move all of our Women’s Super League matches to Stamford Bridge next season is something that Girma is passionate about.

‘I'm really, really excited about playing our home games at Stamford Bridge,’ she tells us with a smile. ‘The atmosphere there has been amazing.

‘Every game we've played there, we’ve been able to feel the fans, feel the energy. It's just a top stadium, and I think it's great we're able to play all of our games there.

‘I think it shows that we want to make Chelsea Women even bigger and more inclusive, more easily accessible. Then we can hopefully get more people to come and be a part of our community.’

Understandably, Girma is looking to next season with hope and optimism. The defender made just 18 appearances last season, with injuries preventing her from playing as much as she had wanted.

Her mindset is strong. She’s looking at the positives from a difficult season and wants to take the learnings into a fresh campaign in 2026/27.

‘I think probably both individually and collectively, there were points where we had a good rhythm, and then I think points where maybe we were not as consistent,’ she says. 'There were moments of good and things that we want to take with us, but then a lot of stuff to reflect on and make sure that we go into next season in a better place.

'It can be hard when players are in and out of the squad. Being in and out of fitness was something I felt personally, and for that reason, it can be difficult to build rhythm.

'But it's not always going to be perfect and great. I think having this season where we maybe didn't feel like we were at our best and didn't get the results we always wanted gives us something to fuel a fire from, so we come into next season even hungrier.’

A summer without international women’s tournaments will allow our players to reset properly before returning to Cobham. And Girma knows exactly what she wants to do, and exactly what she’s planning on the pitch next season.

‘I think the offseason is a good time for us to decompress, have a rest, recharge and do things we need to do, work on things that maybe we don't always get to work on, because we are normally going into a tournament or more games.

‘I’m mainly going to be in the US, with my family, travelling around and just enjoying that time. I’m really excited.

‘Next season, I’m just hoping to build rhythm. I want to feel my best in a Chelsea shirt and feel like I'm bringing my best to the team. I want to get to the point where I'm fit and feeling confident, strong and ready to do that.’