Chelsea women have shared emotional reactions through their YouTube channel from manager Sonia Bompastor and defender Niamh Charles following their victory over Manchester United, a match that marked the final appearances of club legends Sam Kerr and Millie Bright.
The emotional occasion also saw Lauren James officially recognised after being named Chelsea Women’s Player of the Season following another standout campaign.
Softfootball understands that Sam Kerr spent six years at Chelsea playing alongside Millie Bright, helping the club dominate women’s football domestically and compete consistently at the highest European level.
Speaking after the match, Charles described the moment as both “sad and happy,” admitting it was emotional reflecting on the years shared alongside Kerr and Bright. She praised both players for their incredible contributions to Chelsea both on and off the pitch.
Charles highlighted that Kerr and Bright perfectly represented the values of Chelsea through their leadership, professionalism, and connection with supporters.
She described them as “amazing teammates, amazing leaders,” while insisting they will forever remain legends of the club.
In her words:
I feel very emotional and everytime I look at Sam and Millie it feels sad and happy. We’ve had so many amazing memories together and they are just amazing amazing people and it’s closing the chapter in what was unbelievable sort of journey with them. I’m really happy for the both of them to get it here at Stamford Bridge to win and sort of do it in the Chelsea way and they absolutely deserve that and more. They have been incredible servants to the club, incredible players, incredible people and the way they carry themselves it’s absolutely like exactly what we represent.
They are just good people. Very very good people and they love the club, love the fans and love playing football. I think they are amazing teammates, amazing leaders and I think each individual in their own way, they have been so pivotal to what we have achieved week in week out, year in year. They are absolutely legends of the club.
The defender also noted that despite the victory, Chelsea did not produce their best overall performance, though she remained pleased the team managed to secure the win on such an important occasion.
Meanwhile, Bompastor admitted it was difficult saying goodbye to two players who have had such a huge impact on Chelsea’s success over the years. The manager emphasized that the most important thing was ensuring the club celebrated Kerr and Bright in the way they deserved.
Yeah, it was sad actually to say goodbye to Sam and Millie. I think the important thing we won the game and we had the opportunity to celebrate them the way they deserved to be celebrated. I think they had huge impact on the club both on and off the club. So actually good to win and also good to be enjoying celebrating together and give them opportunity to enjoy the end of their career.
Bompastor praised both players for their influence on and off the pitch, noting their role in shaping Chelsea’s winning culture across multiple seasons. She expressed happiness that the team won the match and could celebrate together at Stamford Bridge alongside supporters:
Both of them are really great persons. I think they helped the club to build the culture and winning mentality. I think great leaders. For coaches really good, really enjoyable because when you are coaching them, they are really honest persons. They just want to have fun when they are on the pitch and making sure they win and they help the team to win. It was really good for me to have an opportunity to coach them.
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Away from women’s football, Mikel Arteta is reportedly expected to sign a new contract with Arsenal later this year as part of the club’s long-term project following their historic Premier League title success.
