Adapting to Life in London
In London, players often face numerous adjustments when they relocate to a new country, and Chelsea defender Naomi Girma experienced this firsthand after her groundbreaking $1.1 million transfer from NWSL’s San Diego Wave in January. While football adjustments are to be expected, one challenge that took her by surprise was navigating the British roundabouts, a feature much less common in the United States.
Learning the Ropes
Girma, 24, shared her amusing journey of acclimating to England with the help of her teammate, Catarina Macario.
“She guided me on how to handle roundabouts and when to take my exit,”
Girma recounted with laughter to ESPN, sitting alongside Macario as they looked back on her first six months.
“After getting familiar, I’ve settled in nicely with a place of my own, a car, and a sense of direction here.”
Macario added to the jovial atmosphere, saying,
“I advised her just to go with the flow of the traffic; it’s not too complicated,”
chuckling that perhaps Girma hadn’t anticipated the roundabout challenge.
American Comforts and Challenges
Since joining Chelsea from Lyon earlier this year, Macario has been a valuable resource for Girma, offering practical advice on living in London. She cheekily mentioned the importance of sharing a link to Uniqlo clothing as essential for surviving the colder months.
Adapting to Britain’s roads – with its roundabouts, narrow lanes, and tricky motorway exits – became its own form of getting used to a new environment. However, despite feeling increasingly settled, some American comforts remain unmatched. When asked what they missed the most from home, both players simultaneously exclaimed,
“A really good iced-vanilla latte,”
before erupting into laughter, signaling it was a well-known complaint.
Girma noted her ongoing struggle to find a worthy substitute for her preferred iced coffees in California and the scarcity of her favorite hot sauce in England. In fact, she has taken matters into her own hands by having her brother send her preferred brand to ensure she has a stash at home, with one bottle even residing in the Chelsea canteen, shared sparingly.
Time Off and Personal Growth
With no major tournaments for the USWNT this summer, many stars enjoyed a rare opportunity for relaxation. Manager Emma Hayes gave her European-based players extra time off, allowing Girma and Macario a chance to refresh. For Macario, that meant connecting with her roots, visiting Spain and France before returning to San Diego to spend quality time with family. Girma took a similar approach, traveling to her hometown of San Jose, visiting family in New York, then returning to the West Coast, where she also enjoyed some sun in Cabo, Mexico, all before pre-season training began in earnest.
Emily Fox of Arsenal also used her downtime to recharge in her way, delving into new books rather than her usual genres. As she reflects on player welfare and the need for breaks within the rigorous schedule, she emphasized the importance of mental and physical recovery.
Moreover, Fox had the special experience of having her parents support her at the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon, a significant moment that allowed them to witness her team lift the trophy after a thrilling victory.
Unique Team-Building Experiences
Returning to preseason training, Girma and Macario encountered an unconventional bonding experience with their coach, Sonia Bompastor, who took the squad to the Dutch countryside to try their hand at sheepherding. This unique team-building exercise had players herding sheep, resulting in both funny chaos and camaraderie. Macario recalled,
“It was meant to be a bonding exercise like none other,”
while Girma couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
Chelsea’s contingent of American players are gradually embracing life in England, and while the upcoming season presents its own challenges, their experiences off the pitch are sure to serve them well as they pursue another WSL title.
