For years, Alyssa Thompson has been touted as a talent who has the potential to become an NWSL and USWNT great in the future. Her USP? The lightning speed, which has become a cornerstone of Thompson’s play. “She dominates in 1-v-1, and she’s a very explosive player,” said Freya Coombe, Angel City’s former head coach, about the then-18-year-old’s blinding pace. And it looks like the new Chelsea signing also believes that her speed advantage could make her a force to be reckoned with in the UK.

Thompson made her WSL debut for The Blues last month against Aston Villa. Coming in on the break, the USWNT star had all eyes on her, thanks to the record signing fee the London club offered Thompson. While she didn’t get her name on the scoresheet in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory at Villa Park that day, Alyssa’s incredible speed still shone through just along the sideline on occasions. Now, 5 WSL matches later, the American has grown more confident in her skills.

Sky Sports WSL took to X on October 12 to share Alyssa Tompson’s thoughts after Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday. The 20-year-old kept testing Lize Kop, Tottenham’s goalie, in both halves of the match, but still couldn’t find the back of the net. However, the match gave her an idea of where she stands when it comes to faring against her peers.

Thanks to Alyssa Thompson keeping her rival defenders on their toes throughout her time on the pitch, the USWNT star received a 7.39 player rating, the third-highest of the night. She created three chances in the opening period and kept leaving her marker, Ashleigh Neville, in the dust whenever the former got the ball at her feet. Her high-tenacity performance also brought Alyssa the Player of the Match award.

But Thompson knew her best show on the pitch was a reflection of her chemistry with her Chelsea teammates and their collective mentality. “It’s been great. Having Cat and Nay [Catarina Macario and Naomi Girma] here from the US has been amazing. Everyone on the team has been super welcoming. I feel like I’m just learning so much already, which is so great,” she said in her post-match interview, underscoring how she’s settling well into her new shoes within just weeks.

But while she does look comfortable now, that wasn’t the case even minutes before her debut.

Alyssa Thompson’s nervous start to the WSL

The WSL splurged big and broke the league record when they spent seven figures to sign Alyssa Thompson. With the winger being snubbed from both the 2024 Paris Olympics and the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup rosters, not many fans or critics were sure that it was the right move for the London club. Moreover, with injuries continuously casting a dark shadow over her health, Thompson was under pressure to prove her worth. And that’s exactly why she was so eager to lace up for Sonia Bompastor as soon as possible.

But even minutes before locking horns with Aston Villa last month, Thompson didn’t know if she would get to play. Images of her at training with an arm cast have been doing the rounds on social media for weeks, and she wasn’t sure if she would be given the nod to play. “I didn’t really know if I was going to be able to play because of my, like, hand injury. So, when I got there, the ref was like, ‘Yeah, you can play.’ So, I was I was like, ‘Okay, I’m ready, I guess,’” she revealed how the situation was in an interview last Friday.

But all that’s in the rearview mirror now. Thompson has become a regular feature on the Chelsea roster, playing in both WSL and Women’s Champions League matches over the past few days. The international break is on the horizon, and it remains to be seen if Thompson can use her recently gained wisdom from Chelsea to the benefit of the USWNT!