Women's football news
Written by: Joe
Lewes FC have secured a loan deal for Chelsea’s exciting young striker Emma Thompson, who becomes manager Scott Booth’s third arrival of the summer.
Thompson, 18, has progressed through the Chelsea academy and made her first-team debut in January.
The highly-rated striker, who describes herself as an “old school No 9”, arrives at the Dripping Pan ahead of the new 2022/23 FA Women’s Championship campaign.
‘I was already happy with Lewes’
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play in the Championship this season for such a great club,” says Thompson. “I had a few options to go out on loan from Chelsea this summer and after a few conversations with Lewes, I was really happy with the way it went.
“I’ve got to know how the club works, and the values we stand for. Kelly went through the club values, which I found really interesting. The push for equality between the men’s and the women’s game is great.
“After I spoke to Lewes I obviously had conversations with other clubs but I was already pretty happy with the way our talks went with Lewes!”
This will be Thompson’s first season as a senior player and the striker says she’s ready to embrace the challenge.
“I’m really looking forward to it. Moving up from academy football to senior football in the Women’s Championship will be big, especially the physical side of it,” she says.
“It will test me but it will be great to play with and against better players as well. It’s going to be a big challenge!”
Booth: ‘Emma will improve further’
Rooks boss Booth says: “Emma is a player who has been well-sought after by many, many clubs this summer. Clubs both in Britain and abroad have wanted to bring her in on a loan deal from Chelsea. That’s how highly Chelsea rate her.
“It’s great as a club that we’ve been able to seal this agreement and bring Emma in for the season. I’m really looking forward to working with her.
“She’s an incredibly talented young striker. She’s mobile, works hard, can go in behind and has the speed and liveliness to get the right side of defenders. She scores plenty of goals – her goal ration in the academy at Chelsea over the past few seasons has been incredible.
“She also holds the ball up particularly well. She has so many facets to her game, she will complement the players we have. And with more game time she’s going to improve even more this season.”
Everyone at Lewes FC would like to welcome Emma to the club.