Naomi Girma: Women’s world record signing misses USA squad with injury
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has previously said she suffered a minor injury after beating Arsenal in January when she was promoting at Stamford Bridge.
Girma is part of Hayes’USA Team, which won women’s football gold in 2024 Paris, and the former Chelsea manager previously described the centre-back as the best defender in the world.
She said that once they had the chance to see her game, fans of her former club would fall in love with Girma.
“As a person and leader, she is an extremely modest person,” Hayes said. “As someone who is naturally able to read games and make decisions under pressure, she goes beyond her years.
“She is a great teammate, a great communicator, and she is developing in the development of the leader. All these extraordinary qualities have led her to take action and she will have an incredible career at Chelsea, Fans will love her.”
The United team also missed Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Tullis-Joyce is now ranked No. 1 at United, playing in all WSL games this season, but Hayes won her place.
“Phallon is doing a great job, she defends her goals and is improving – but she has to continue to improve her decisions under pressure,” Hayes said.
“I would say that for goalkeepers who aren’t here, they all know what they have to do.”
