Chelsea raid boosts Lewes ahead of Championship season

Lewes have raided Chelsea to strengthen their squad for the upcoming FA Women’s Championship season.
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Scott Booth and Co have secured a loan deal for Chelsea’s exciting young striker Emma Thompson, who becomes the manager’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 No9”, told the Lewes website: “It’s an exciting opportunity to play in the Championship this season for such a great club. 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.

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“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!”

Emma Thompson arrives at The Dripping Pan | Picture: Lewes FCEmma Thompson arrives at The Dripping Pan | Picture: Lewes FC
Emma Thompson arrives at The Dripping Pan | Picture: Lewes FC

It will be Thompson’s first season as a senior player and the striker is 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 said.

“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!”

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New Rooks boss Booth said: “Emma is a player who has been 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 – her goal ration in the academy at Chelsea has been incredible."

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