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USWNT star Alyssa Thompson has opened up about her impressive debut season at Chelsea, sharing how she exceeded both personal and public expectations while also revealing her ambitions to win major silverware in the 2026-27 campaign.

Alyssa Thompson’s time in London has started with a flourish, as she quickly made a mark as one of the brightest young prospects in the Women's Super League. The American forward made a bold switch from the NWSL to Chelsea last summer and has already gone beyond the goals she initially set for her first season in England.

Exceeding expectations in London

Thompson’s debut campaign with Chelsea turned out to be more successful than she had anticipated after leaving Angel City. The 21-year-old attacker emerged as one of the Blues’ key offensive figures, finishing as the club’s second-highest scorer with nine goals across all competitions. She admitted that her performance went beyond even her own expectations.

“I feel like I did a lot better than I thought I would,” Thompson said in an interview with Chelsea’s official website. “Joining Chelsea was such an honour and a privilege for me. I was thrilled to be part of this incredible team and to keep improving every single day.”

Developing resilience through change

Although Thompson’s individual performance stood out, she acknowledged that Chelsea did not live up to their usual standards this season. After dominating the Women's Super League with six straight titles, the Blues slipped to third place in their second year under manager Sonia Bompastor. The team also missed out on a third consecutive Women's Champions League semi-final, bowing out 3-2 on aggregate to Arsenal in the quarter-finals.

“As a team, there were definitely things we wanted to achieve that we didn’t,” Thompson admitted. “That’s not the Chelsea way. This club has a tradition of winning trophies and staying at the top of the league, and that’s something we really take pride in.”

Turning challenges into strength

Despite those disappointments, the USWNT international believes the team’s struggles have built greater unity and resilience. Thompson said that the adversity Chelsea faced only strengthened their bond and will serve as motivation going forward.

“We faced a lot of tough moments this season, but I think we really leaned on each other,” she said. “So next season, no matter what comes our way, I know we’ll stick together and prove that we’re still a great team.”

Ambitions for 2026-27

Now turning her attention to the future, Thompson is determined to help Chelsea reclaim their dominance both domestically and in Europe. She believes that the team possesses the quality and depth to compete for the top honours once again.

“My goal for next season is for us to win more trophies than we did this year,” she said. “I think it’s realistic. I want us to be a real force in both the league and the Champions League, and hopefully, we can go even further next time.”