Ramona Bachmann: The End of a Thrilling Three Years for Chelsea's Swiss Star

After three years, Chelsea forward Ramona Bachmann has brought an end to her time in west London.

She switched the British capital for the French on Friday, joining continental giants Paris Saint-Germain. The Swiss international joins Les Parisiens on a two-year deal, after they finished second in Division 1 Féminine and secured Champions League football for next season.

It is a sad sight for Chelsea, who have lost one of their brightest attacking stars. Since joining in 2017 from VfL Wolfsburg, Bachmann has been a joy to watch at Kingsmeadow, and has been one of the Blues’ most important players in a magnificent squad.

To pick just one standout highlights is unfair, with so many big game moments from the 29-year-old.

Bachmann was prolific when it came to European competitions, coming up with sumptuous goals and key assists in the Champions League. Whether it was finding the back of the net against Rosengard, or assisting Fran Kirby’s goal at Bayern Munich, she always turned up when it mattered.

Perhaps no game will better reflect Bachmann’s impact at Chelsea than the 2018 FA Cup final, when the Blues met London rivals Arsenal at Wembley. Of all of her goals in blue, no pair are remembered more fondly than that brace under the arch.

Her first was a stinging strike into the roof of the net, which opened the scoring and put Chelsea in front moments after the restart. Her second on the hour mark was just as stunning, when a long-range effort dipped into the top corner to make it two.

It was Bachmann’s finest hour for Chelsea, winning player of the match as the Blues won 3-1 and sealed their second FA Cup trophy.

Fast forward two years later, and the Swiss star leaves after 88 appearances and with five major honours to her name. She played a key role in three Women’s Super League titles, including this year where Chelsea were awarded the title on points per game. Without a defeat all season, it was a thoroughly deserved reward for Emma Hayes’ side.

Bachmann appeared in 12 of the 15 league games this season, though only started a third of them. Her only goal of the season proved to be her last, a patiently taken strike in the 8-0 drubbing of West Ham in February. It was the perfect way to bow out with what proved to be her final goal, scoring for the 19th time in blue.

While the Swiss forward’s presence will be missed in Kingsmeadow, competition was at an all-time high in west London.

The arrival of Australian star Sam Kerr changed the dynamic, while Bethany England has well and truly hit her stride with 14 goals this season. With Fran Kirby also returning from injury and Erin Cuthbert continuing to make a name for herself, Bachmann’s departure came at the best time for her own career.

Hayes had a plethora of attacking options at her disposal, and it just so happens that someone had to give. With Bachmann turning 30 at the end of the year and struggling to cement her place in the starting eleven, perhaps her move is a blessing in disguise.

It has been a wonderful three years at Chelsea, and she will certainly be missed ahead of the new season. Bachmann had a huge role to play in the Blues’ recent success, not to mention in this season’s domestic double of the Super League and Continental Cup.

Bachmann will surely flourish at PSG, in an exciting team that finished just three points off dominant force Olympique Lyonnais. She is not the only fresh arrival in Paris, with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll returning to the French capital.

PSG are building something special in France, and Bachmann’s experience and international pedigree could be that extra bit of quality they need to dethrone Lyon. Les Parisiens are yet to win Division 1 Féminine, finishing as runners up on eight different occasions.

But with Bachmann coming in, they may have a new chance of claiming the French football crown.

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Source: 90min

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