Sonia Bompastor: Chelsea coach weighs in on potential WSL expansion | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has given her thoughts on the possibility of the Barclays Women's Super League (WSL) expanding to involve Scottish clubs Celtic and Rangers.

As per emerging reports from The Times, the Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) are searching for ways to expand the women's game, and have explored the prospect of welcoming the two Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) sides into their ranks.

It's understood that all conversations are at an early stage, and no official moves have been made by either party as of yet. As per league regulations, the notice period for leaving the SWPL is two seasons, meaning the restructuring would not transpire in the near-future.

Chelsea's Bompastor was asked to share her thoughts on the matter as the side prepare to face West Ham United in the return of the WSL this weekend.

"These two teams joining the WSL, they are two big brands and it would be good," she said.

Many concerns have been raised in regards to the negative implications that such a move could have on the Scottish league. The omission of the two giants would do nothing to support the growth of the domestic game, a statement that Bompastor echoed when asked.

"On other hand, it would not be good for their country," said the head coach. "They are big brands and it would be good for their country to keep them."

The WPLL are also exploring the idea of a closed league, reports suggest. This will mean that the promotion and relegation system will be abolished, leading to the disesemblement of the traditional English tier-system.

Despite remaining level-headed when asked about the Celtic and Rangers debate, Bompastor was certain to make her disapproval of the closed league proposition known.

"In terms of competition, it's always good when you have relegation," she added. "When you are a team, you are always competing for something. Sometimes you are competing for titles and sometimes you are competing to not be relegated, that is a part of the competition."

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd is injury free / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Injury update

Good news for Blues fans as Bompastor provides a fitness update for her squad set to face West Ham at Chigwell Construction Stadium this Sunday. The head coach has confirmed that forward star Johanna Rytting Kaneryd will be fit to make her return against the Irons.

Wieke Kaptein was brought from the pitch in the final moments of Chelsea's Adobe Women's FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic last weekend, after what seemed to be a nasty blow. Bompastor has confirmed that Kaptein is "fine" but has not been fit to train with the squad this week.

However, the head coach confirms that the 19-year-old "is getting back to a position where she will be ready to practise on Saturday" and is likely to be involved in the matchday squad to face Durham in the Subway Women's League Cup.