Naomi Girma Injured During Chelsea Debut Against Brighton

Naomi Girma, the first million-dollar player in women's soccer, made her highly anticipated Chelsea debut but was forced to leave the match against Brighton after just 59 minutes due to a calf injury. Girma, who joined Chelsea for a world-record fee of $1.1 million, pointed to her calf during the game, prompting her substitution. Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor stated that while the injury did not appear serious, a scan would be necessary to assess its severity. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Chelsea maintaining a five-point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League standings. Girma's debut was particularly noteworthy as she faced off against former Stanford teammate Madison Haley in a competitive match. Fans expressed disappointment over the injury, having waited 32 days to see their new signing in action.