Lucy Bronze

• Lucy Bronze's late header in 74th minute secured a 1-0 win over Manchester United, sealing Chelsea’s sixth consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) title.
• New manager Sonia Bompastor remains unbeaten in the WSL this season, continuing Emma Hayes’ legacy with a strong defensive performance and mental resilience.
• With the League Cup already secured and an FA Cup final against United in May, Chelsea are chasing a historic domestic treble with already winning the Subway Women's League cup and playing the FA cup finale in May.

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​Millie Bright, a defender for Chelsea and England, emphasizes the transformative power of football in fostering community and personal growth. She highlights the importance of grassroots initiatives, such as the Football Foundation's Lionesses Futures Fund, which has funded 30 new 3G pitches dedicated to women's and girls' football. Bright believes these facilities provide safe spaces for individuals to connect, find support, and build confidence, underscoring football's role beyond just the sport.

She also expresses pride in her teammate, Lucy Bronze, for openly discussing her diagnosis of ADHD and autism. Bright commends Bronze's courage in sharing her story, recognizing that such openness can inspire others and promote understanding of neurodiverse conditions within the sporting community. This acknowledgment reflects Bright's broader commitment to inclusivity and support within football.​

​The England Women's football team is currently in discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding bonuses for their upcoming European Championship defense. Led by captain Leah Williamson, along with senior players Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright, the team has expressed disappointment over the FA's initial bonus offer, feeling it falls short compared to other top international teams. For example, Spain's players received £250,000 each for their World Cup win, and have secured a favorable package for the European Championship.

The Lionesses are seeking an increase from the £55,000 bonus they received for winning Euro 2022, especially since UEFA has increased the tournament's prize money. Despite improved relations since the last dispute before the World Cup two years ago, the players are frustrated by the delay in reaching a resolution and the significant disparity in bonuses compared to their male counterparts. The FA has declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.

Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze, one of England’s most successful footballers, has opened up about her autism and ADHD diagnoses, which she received in 2021. From a young age, she noticed she was different from others, often struggling with reading and spelling due to dyslexia and finding social interactions challenging. She masked her autism by copying her teammates' behavior to fit in, but she often felt uncomfortable with eye contact and physical contact like hugs. Despite these challenges, she believes that understanding her neurodiversity has helped her accept herself and improve her well-being.

Bronze credits her autism and ADHD for her deep focus and obsession with football, which has contributed to her long and successful career. Training every day provides structure and energy, helping her manage her condition. Now an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, she hopes to raise awareness and remove the stigma around autism. She encourages others to embrace their differences, emphasizing that a diagnosis doesn’t change who you are but helps you understand yourself better. Even after football, she is confident she will find something else to focus on, as her passion for the game extends beyond playing.

Chelsea's remarkable 31-match unbeaten streak came to an end in a 2-0 loss to Manchester City during the Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg. This defeat marked the first under manager Sonia Bompastor, who had led Chelsea to 28 games without a loss since taking charge. Vivianne Miedema's two second-half goals secured City's advantage, with Chelsea struggling to find their rhythm just days after their League Cup triumph over the same opponents. Defender Lucy Bronze admitted the team was "miles off" their usual standard, citing poor pressing and sloppy passing as key issues. The loss not only halted Chelsea's unbeaten run but also dashed their hopes of setting a new record for the longest undefeated streak by a Women's Super League (WSL) team across all competitions.

The match was part of a grueling four-game stretch between Chelsea and Manchester City within 12 days, including the League Cup final, WSL clash, and the Champions League return leg. Despite this setback, Bompastor remains focused on Chelsea's Champions League aspirations, with the team needing a strong response in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Bronze emphasized that the defeat was a learning moment, noting that every opponent now raises their game against Chelsea. With their quadruple hopes still alive, Chelsea will aim to recover quickly as they prepare for upcoming challenges both domestically and in Europe.