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The Chelsea midfielder has spoken about the growth of the WSL, Chelsea’s hopes of winning back the title in their first full season at Stamford Bridge, and what Alexia Putellas’ arrival means for the league.

Keira Walsh believes her former Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas can have a huge influence on the Women’s Super League, with the midfielder pleased to see her friend and two-time Ballon d’Or winner test herself in the English game.

Putellas joined London City Lionesses this summer after spending 14 years with Barcelona, where she won three Champions League titles. Walsh was alongside her for two of those triumphs, in 2023 and 2024, during the 29-year-old’s three-year spell there.

She is among several high-profile new arrivals and returning players in the WSL this summer, with Georgia Stanway and Ona Batlle signing for Arsenal, while Mary Earps and Kadidiatou Diani have also joined Putellas at London City.

“Alexia’s 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.

“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.

“It just shows where women’s 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.

“It’s the biggest difference in the league now, from when I first joined - seeing all the top players coming from abroad and playing here.

“It’s 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.”

While Walsh is looking forward to seeing her former Barcelona teammate in the WSL, her main priority is helping Chelsea win back the title after Manchester City, her former club, brought an end to their remarkable run of six straight 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 women’s 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 brings a major change for Chelsea as they shift their home base from Kingsmeadow to Stamford Bridge after nine years at the 4,850-capacity ground in Kingston upon Thames.

The Blues played four WSL matches and all of their Champions League fixtures at Stamford Bridge last season, and have now decided to stage all of their home league games at the 40,000-capacity stadium.

“I think it’s an incredible move from the club,” Walsh said about the switch 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.”