Chelsea Football Club prepares to say goodbye to two cornerstones of the club. Both Sophie Ingle and Zecira Musovic are headed to exciting new chapters in their careers. The club announced that neither player would have their contracts renewed. Unfortunately for them, this decision heralds the end of their influential eras at Stamford Bridge.
Ingle, 33, came back to Chelsea in 2018 after a successful run with Liverpool FC Women. No doubt she’s left a huge mark on the club in her years leading the side. During her prolific club career, she won five Women’s Super League titles and three FA Cups. Earlier this year, she stepped away from first-team duties, announcing her pregnancy in February. Ingle continued to struggle with injuries on the pitch, tearing her ACL in a pre-season match against Feyenoord in September.
Musovic, 28, came to Chelsea in early 2021 from Swedish club Rosengard. Throughout her tenure at the club, she was pivotal in making the team go. She lifted ten trophies in her time, winning five WSL titles and two FA Cups with pride. Both players have been crucial to Chelsea’s ascent as the preeminent power in women’s football.
Ingle’s Journey at Chelsea
The last few years have been marked by both personal and professional development for Sophie Ingle during her time with Chelsea. Ambitious by nature, after relocating from Liverpool in 2018, she soon made herself integral to the development of the team on and off the pitch. Her leadership and experience have been key when they’re in the toughest matches.
Looking back on the moments she’s had at the club, Ingle said she is grateful for the ones she’s shared with her teammates.
“I’m very proud to have lifted 11 trophies here and am grateful to have done that alongside teammates who are like family to me,” – Sophie Ingle
Ingle’s decision not to renew her contract comes as she prepares for motherhood and focuses on her recovery from injury.
Musovic’s Impact on the Team
Zecira Musovic has similarly left an indelible mark on Chelsea since joining the Blues in 2021. She was the defensive fulcrum for a Muñoz-inspired defensive unit that would not yield a goal all tournament long. Now with ten trophies in her young hands, Musovic is a successful case-by-case acquisition for so many reasons.
As she looks towards new opportunities, Musovic reflected on her experience at Chelsea, emphasizing the bonds formed during her tenure.
“We have created many memories together and I have grown so much as a person during my time at Chelsea. It’s why it’s difficult to leave, but also why I feel confident to begin something new,” – Zecira Musovic
Her comments are a testament to the emotional bond players regularly form with their teams and fellow players.
Looking Ahead
Both Ingle and Musovic depart Chelsea with many happy memories, and a pretty incredible legacy for each of them. Their contributions to the club’s success will not be forgotten, as they have played significant roles in shaping the team’s identity over the years.
As they prepare for their next ventures, supporters and teammates alike will undoubtedly miss their presence on and off the pitch. The departures mark a potentially transformative break for the Chelsea Women’s team. They’re now squarely in the mode of trying to create a new team to meet future challenges.
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