Chelsea vs Man City live: Sam Kerr returns for defending champions as WSL season gets underway

THE 2025/26 WSL SEASON IS UNDERWAY!

Both sets of players are welcomed to the Stamford Bridge pitch to a pyro display fitting of the WSL’s return.

We are just five minutes away from kick-off as the new WSL season gets underway!

The players are ready. Stamford Bridge is ready. We are so back.

Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates of all the action!

She isn’t in the squad tonight, but club-record Chelsea signing Alyssa Thompson has been presented to the Stamford Bridge faithful following her deadline day move!

While club rivalries reignite tonight, the Euro-winning Lionesses are given their flowers ahead of kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

Each player is given a warm individual ovation before Lucy Bronze and Lauren James – both injured for tonight’s contest – come out with the trophy in hand!

Former Malmo defender Andree Jeglertz has replaced Gareth Taylor in the Man City dugout this summer and has an extensive CV.

He won the UEFA Women’s Cup – later the Champions League – with Swedish side Umea in 2004 and led them to successive finals in 2007 and 2008.

After a spell in men’s football with Djurgardens in 2009, Jeglertz spent six years in charge of Finland Women until 2016 before a brief return to Umea was followed by a two-year stint in charge of Linkopings.

He was appointed Denmark’s head coach after the 2023 World Cup and led them to this summer’s Euros after they finished second behind world champions Spain in qualifying.

Chelsea forward Catarina Macario feels Serena Williams’ new affiliation with her side perfectly encapsulates the upward trajectory of women’s football.

In May, 23-time grand slam singles winner Williams’ husband, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, announced he had purchased a reported eight to 10 per cent stake, worth around £20million, in the six-time reigning Women’s Super League champions.

The couple flew over for the FA Cup final four days later at Wembley – where Macario scored in the 3-0 victory over Manchester United – on a weekend Ohanian predicted his new investment could become a billion-dollar operation.

Alcohol will be permitted in the stands at seven Women’s Super League clubs from the 2025-26 season as part of a trial, marking a significant departure from the decades-long ban imposed on men’s games to curb hooliganism.

This follows a successful trial last year across 19 fixtures involving four second-tier WSL2 clubs and 51,000 supporters.

So, if you’re heading to Stamford Bridge this evening, don’t feel the need to down your pints in the concourse!

Whatever happens at Stamford Bridge, the story of the day won’t involve the reigning WSL champions.

That’s because league newcomers London City Lionesses have broken the women’s football transfer record by signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Grace Geyoro for £1.4m.

The newly-promoted side have embarked on a major spending spree, signing 16 players permanently this summer as they aim to consolidate their place in the top flight.