Before Alyssa Thompson started scoring goals in south-west London, she had to master something trickier - driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. The 21-year-old American winger kept hitting curbs on the left side because she couldn't judge the distance. Now she's got the hang of it.
The California native loves cars so much that her first priority after joining Chelsea was getting one. She picked out a Volvo XC40, the same model she drove back home in LA. These days, she's bopping around London, often heading to Notting Hill for sushi after training.
On the pitch, Thompson has been absolutely flying. There's a real argument that she's been Chelsea's best player during what's been a rough 2024-25 season for the Women's Super League champions.
She's currently Chelsea's top scorer with eight goals across all competitions - six in the WSL, plus one each in the FA Cup and Champions League. Pretty impressive for someone who only arrived last September for a reported fee of up to $1.45 million.
Bringing Energy During Tough Times
Chelsea hit a rough patch in February, losing consecutive league matches for the first time in 11 years. The title race slipped away, and head of women's football Paul Green suddenly left after 13 years with the club.
Thompson says she tried to lift the team during that difficult period. As a new arrival, she felt she could bring a fresh perspective compared to players who'd been there through all the trophy-laden years under former boss Emma Hayes.
"This is a club that is used to winning," Thompson explains. "I feel like I have a different perspective because I'm coming in new. It's easy to be positive in a place where you don't really know everything."
The move to London meant leaving behind her tight-knit support system. At Angel City, she played minutes from where she grew up and lived near her parents. Her sister Gisele, also a USWNT player, joined Angel City in 2024.
"I miss the weather in LA and just having banter with Gisele," Thompson admits. But the move has taught her independence - even if that meant figuring out how to set up wi-fi and fill her car tires by herself.
Chasing Her First Club Trophy
With Manchester City nine points clear at the top with six games left, Chelsea's six-year WSL title streak looks finished. But three trophies are still up for grabs - the League Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Thompson has never won a club trophy in four years as a professional. Angel City never finished higher than sixth during her time there. Coming to Chelsea was partly about changing that.
She gets her first chance this Sunday when Chelsea face Manchester United in the League Cup final. While this isn't the most prestigious trophy - the WSL will even exclude top-three teams from it next year - Thompson is locked in on winning it.
For those looking at Chelsea's season from a betting perspective, backing them in cup competitions might be smarter than league bets at this point. With the title race essentially over, their focus will shift entirely to knockout tournaments.
"Winning the League Cup would mean a lot to me," Thompson says. "I want to win trophies, and being able to do this with this team at this level is super-exciting."
Thompson's recent form for the USWNT adds to the optimism. She was named MVP at the 2026 SheBelieves Cup last weekend, scoring the only goal against Colombia. It was her first senior career medal - and she's hungry for more.
