Alyssa Thompson enjoyed success in her first season with WSL giants Chelsea and now the 21-year-old is seeking to take another step forward in Year No. 2. Thompson and the Blues are three matches into their 2026-27 campaign, sealing a spot into the UEFA Women’s Champions League proper and claiming one point in a league draw with Aston Villa. The former Angel City FC and Stanford University star scored nine goals and added four assists last season, lifting the Women’s League Cup against U.S. Women’s National Team teammate Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Now as she gets ready for a weekend showdown against the Red Devils, Thompson reflected on her first 12+ months in London. ‘On the pitch, I’ve grown a lot by just having so many amazing players around me and continuing to have confidence in myself,” Thompson said in a club interview. “In all areas of my game, I’ve got better. It’s just by small margins, but it helps a lot, and I think being in this environment will continue to help me become the best soccer player that I can be.“I feel like being a part of Chelsea is such an honor,” Thompson added. “I knew the history before, but I feel like being in it and having to hold those values and the pressure that comes with it means it’s such a privilege to be on this team and be at this club.”Thompson was able to take part in the Blues’ preseason tour this summer in Australia and New Zealand, a new opportunity to grow alongside her teammates. The U.S. Women’s National Team attacker remains close with fellow international teammate Naomi Girma, who is in her third season with the Blues after also making the move from the NWSL. Being able to travel with her teammates and connect more with them off the field is something that Thompson believes is key to having long-term chemistry this season.“To have a full pre-season with the team and not feel like the newest person was really nice,” Thompson said. “I feel like it was fun being able to be with the team and be somewhere different.“It was really far, but I think as a team we got a lot closer and being able to have fun together and laugh, just not take everything so seriously before the season got going properly, was really nice,” she added.Chelsea will fight to lift four different trophies this season, starting with the UWCL and the WSL titles. In addition, the Women’s League Cup and FA Cup are also good pathways for the Blues to get back to being one of the dominant forces in English Football. Thompson knows the aspirations are high in the squad and is ready to help the team in any way possible.“I think as a team we want to be super ambitious this year, and we want to win more than we did last year,” she said. “Everyone’s coming into the season hungry, and for myself, I want to help the team in any way I can. Hopefully that means scoring goals and assisting and being a part of helping the team have success.”