Sandy Baltimore is always on the move, even during interviews. Standing at the edge of Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, the French forward keeps shifting her weight from foot to foot in the biting cold of the indoor pitch. At 5ft 1in, her low center of gravity makes her a formidable presence on the ball, and her bright pink Air Force 1s hint at her love of fashion, a striking contrast to her training gear.
Baltimore joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, leaving behind a club where she had spent her entire professional career. Making over 200 appearances after debuting at just 16, stepping out of her comfort zone was a major decision. But the challenge of playing in England was exactly what she wanted.
“I was coming to the end of my contract at PSG and wanted a challenge week-in, week-out,” she explains. “I knew football in England was intense and high-tempo. Every match is competitive, and that was what I was looking for.”
Chelsea was already on her radar, and former Blue Ève Périsset, who left the club for Strasbourg in January, had given her insights into life at the club.
“I talked to Ève about Chelsea before signing. She told me everyone was really close, that it was a real team effort, and that players were listened to and supported. She even described the gym and facilities,” Baltimore recalls.
Chelsea, in turn, made sure she felt wanted. “They had been paying attention to me for a while. They explained how things would work, what the environment was like, and reassured me about the language barrier and the support available.”
Another familiar face was waiting in west London new manager Sonia Bompastor, who made the switch from PSG’s rivals Lyon. “Things have gone well since she arrived,” says Baltimore. “We’ve only known wins so far, with just one draw. She wanted a new challenge, just like me.”
Bompastor’s hunger for success has been evident. “She’s competitive and sets clear targets from the start of the season,” Baltimore says.
Chelsea’s campaign has been near-perfect 22 wins and one draw from 23 games but Baltimore remains grounded. “The season isn’t over. There are a lot of matches left, including the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup final. You can’t underestimate anyone; you have to keep working and not get complacent.”
Despite scoring in Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies, a 9-0 victory over Feyenoord and a 1-0 win against Arsenal, it took time for her to find her rhythm. But now, she feels settled.
“It’s never easy when you first arrive somewhere new, but training and my teammates’ support have helped. In French, we use the word ‘automatisme’ for instinctive actions that happen without thinking. That’s starting to come for me now, and I think we’re gelling as a team. There’s always room for improvement, though.”
Away from the pitch, Baltimore enjoys exploring London, visiting museums, and indulging her passion for fashion. One thing she doesn’t do, however, is watch football.
“I love football because I love playing it, but I don’t watch it,” she admits with a smile. “Maybe I’ll watch a big Champions League game, but that’s about it.”
Keeping football a joyful experience is essential to her. “The joy is why I play football,” she says. “The pleasure and fun I get from playing are more important than anything else. I don’t ever want to lose that.”
