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Football London
Football London
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Beth Lindop

Fara Williams makes Chelsea title claim and praises ‘exceptional’ Emma Hayes

England legend Fara Williams has made a bold prediction about where Chelsea will finish in this season’s Women’s Super League.

The Blues made a shaky start to their league campaign, succumbing to a shock defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Liverpool on the opening day at Prenton Park. The West London club quickly returned to form though, comfortably dispatching title rivals Manchester City before claiming victory over West Ham, Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion to climb to third place on the table.

Following Sunday’s 2-0 win at the Broadfield Stadium, ex-Chelsea midfielder Fara Williams has backed her former club to retain their WSL title and top the table for the fourth consecutive year.

READ MORE: Arsenal Women return to top of Women's Super League with simple win at Liverpool

Speaking to talkSPORT about where she thinks Chelsea will finish this season, Williams said: “The beginning of the season, I thought top, and I still think that now. I think their squad depth is the best in the league.

“I think once you learn how to win, which is what they’ve done so well over the years, I can’t see anyone taking it off them. I think Chelsea have their best chance this season in terms of the players they’ve brought in and the experience they’ve brought in of Champions League football. Sam Kerr’s the one for Chelsea. She gets the goals. She’s a handful up front.

Kerr had a stellar individual season last term and picked up her second golden boot after netting 20 goals in 20 league games. The Australian opened her account for the season against West Ham last month, and her goalscoring form will be instrumental in helping Chelsea battle out league leaders Arsenal and Manchester United for the WSL crown this season.

Lionesses legend Williams also heaped praise on Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, who released a shocking statement last week confirming she would be out of action for the foreseeable after undergoing a hysterectomy.

Hayes opened up about her ongoing battle with endometriosis and confirmed Denise Reddy and Paul Green would be overseeing her team in her absence.

Reflecting on Hayes’ managerial brilliance, Williams said: “You saw it in the men’s Euros, Emma doing her commentary or co-commentary, and you heard the detail that she gave and turned a few men’s fans and male players and male pundits because her knowledge of the game is exceptional, and she’s not just a great female coach in terms of the women’s game, she’s a great coach in general.”

Chelsea will face another test when they take on Albanian side KS Vllaznia in the Champions League group stages on Wednesday evening, having secured a 1-0 victory over PSG on matchday one.

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