It has been reported that Catarina Macario has declined a new contract offer from Chelsea. This puts her future at the club in significant doubt, with only a few months left on her current deal.
She is currently injured and has been more injury-prone since tearing her ACL. She has been left out of Chelsea's UEFA Women's Champions League squad, fueling speculation that she could leave before the summer, as the NWSL transfer window has just opened.
Chelsea has a significant number of their first-team players out of contract this summer, creating uncertainty.
The most interest has come from the NWSL once she becomes a free agent this summer, and the proposed "High Impact Player" rule could make it easier for UK clubs to offer Macario a competitive salary outside the traditional cap. Bay FC, who signed Anouk Denton from West Ham this January, have been linked with a potential move.
Despite strong NWSL interest, there has been general discussion about the possibility of Europeans Clubs monitoring the situation, given her profile and age. Before playing for Chelsea, she played for Lyon.
Macario can sign a pre-contact deal with any club, per FIFA rules, with her contract expiring on 1st July.
The US national team player has battled injuries earlier in her career, including a long ACL recovery, but has made a strong comeback, especially from the bench.
Some fans have speculated that she has been in a relationship with fellow Chelsea player Niamh Charles, and that a possible move could affect that star's relationship with the club.
Macario signed a three-year deal in the summer of 2023. She was a Champions League winner with Lyon in 2022 and helped Chelsea win the WSL in 2024 and a domestic treble last season.
Her first season at Chelsea was largely focused on rehab from her ACL injury as the team carefully managed her return; as a result, her debut campaign offered limited chances to make a sustained on-pitch impact.
Last season, she featured more regularly across domestic competitions, showing flashes of technical quality and game intelligence. Her minutes were still managed, not always the first choice starter. She brings a different attacking profile to Chelsea's forward line. She's not reliant on physical dominance; instead, she excels through close control, spatial awareness, and sharp decision-making.
She can play as a number 10, as an attacking midfielder, or as a false nine. She offers tactical flexibility and helps link midfield and attack with composure and precision.
Technically, she raises Chelsea's creative ceiling. Her first touch, ability to receive under pressure, and clean finishing make her effective in crowded areas around the box. She also provides a genuine set-piece threat, capable of delivering or converting in high-pressure moments.
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