Anita Asante column: Why Chelsea signing Naomi Girma is so good

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Anita Asante column: Why Chelsea signing Naomi Girma is so good

Girma’s big transfer fee could bring pressure. But because the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) calendar is not aligned with ours – they are in pre-season still – I think Bompastor will give her some time to learn about how Chelsea play, their expectations, the environment, the people, to make that transition of moving to London a bit easier.

I don’t think it will faze Girma too much. American players are more used to those heights of attention. They have always played with pressure because of the great players who have gone before them. They have had to step into big shoes their whole life. I think she will embrace the pressure.

The USA players are under scrutiny at college. It is so competitive to get scholarships. I was talking to USA international Tobin [Heath] the other day and she said the players know whatever choice they make at college is going to set them on a certain path for life. It is such a big decision and a big choice to make at a young age. Girma has taken these experiences in her stride.

With American players, you can always guarantee self-belief and professionalism. They commit to everything. That is their foundation. It is the one attribute that you can never question and I never did with any of the USA players I played with.

She has won things at the highest level and has sat next to big leaders. She has talked about Alex Morgan being someone that inspires her so she understands what it takes to be a proper leader. I think she will want to fill or bridge gaps at Chelsea. She will be a voice in that team. She comes across as a very calm character and a good communicator. You need that in every winning team.

I think Girma is going to be an inspiration for a lot of people. She is really proud of her heritage. She was the first player of Ethiopian descent to represent the USA and that is giving visibility to people from those communities.

Chelsea have now added another superstar with real kudos in Girma. Sam Kerr is also set to come back. That is a scary prospect for players and rival teams alike.

Anita Asante was speaking to BBC Sport’s women’s football news reporter Emma Sanders.

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