• WSL team will be favourites against Spanish side

• Financial implications of missing out are significant

Chelsea will face Real Sociedad in the Women’s Champions League’s third qualifying round, needing a victory over two legs to earn a place in the main league phase of the competition.

The 2021 runners-up and six-time European semi-finalists are taking part in the qualifying stage by virtue of their disappointing third-placed finish in the Women’s Super League last term – their lowest league finish since 2019 – and they will be the favourites against the Spanish side.