The Blues Gear Up for the Second Half of the Season with Winter Training Camp in Portugal

Chelsea’s preparations for the second half of the season will officially begin on Friday when the squad travels to Portugal for a winter training camp. After a dominant start to the campaign under Sonia Bompastor, where the team recorded 15 wins and a single draw, the players and staff have been enjoying a well-deserved festive break. Now, their attention turns back to competitive football with a packed January schedule on the horizon.

Currently sitting atop the Chelsea F.C. Women standings, the Blues hold a six-point lead in the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL). Their exceptional performance in the first half of the season also saw them top Group B of the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a flawless record of six wins from six matches. With these accomplishments in mind, the team heads to Portugal determined to maintain their momentum and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Chelsea’s 2025 campaign kicks off with a busy January schedule across three domestic competitions. The first test comes on Sunday, 12 January, when the Blues host Charlton Athletic in the Fourth Round Proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at Kingsmeadow. Just a week later, they return to WSL action with an away trip to West Ham United.

Midway through the month, the Subway Women’s League Cup begins with a quarter-final match against Durham at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday, 22 January. The month culminates with a highly anticipated WSL London derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 26 January. With 20,000 tickets already sold, the game is expected to be one of the highlights of the season.

Updates on Injured Players

Chelsea fans will be pleased to hear that progress is being made by key players recovering from injury. Australian international Sam Kerr and American striker Mia Fishel will both travel with the squad to Portugal to continue their rehabilitation.

Kerr, 31, has been out of action since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in January 2024. Manager Sonia Bompastor has previously stated that Kerr’s return is not expected until February or March. Fishel, 23, sustained a similar injury in February 2024 while training with the United States national team.

While neither player will train with the squad, their presence at the camp signals the strides they are making in recovery. Additionally, England international Lauren James, who has been sidelined since October with a calf injury, is also part of the traveling squad and is reportedly close to making a return to competitive action.

With their place at the top of the Chelsea F.C. Women standings, a UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final to look forward to, and a squad re-energized and bolstered by returning players, the Blues are well-positioned to tackle the second half of the season. The winter training camp in Portugal is a vital step in ensuring that Chelsea continues to thrive as they compete on multiple fronts in 2025.