When Manchester United line up against Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on Sunday afternoon there will be one member of the crowd feeling a little bit frustrated.
Games like the one this weekend are what the United players dreamed of when they signed up to Casey Stoney's new side last summer. A clash against the top of the table side on the inaugural Women's Football Weekend with United looking to build on a five game winning streak in all competitions.
But one player who won't be involved on the pitch on Sunday is Siobhan Chamberlain.
The United goalkeeper announced back in July that she is expecting her first child and while the excitement builds for the arrival of her little one in the new year she’s been adapting to a different kind of season this time around.
“When I was sat there at the Etihad on the opening day of the season in front of that crowd it was then that it dawned on me the most, how different this season was going to be and how hard it might be at times because I just wanted to be out on the pitch,” Chamberlain told MEN Sport.
Having never been out for a long period of time it’s been difficult for the 36-year-old to adapt at times as she sits on the sidelines but Stoney and her team have ensured the England international is still fully integrated.
“I’m with the team for every game. I think it was important that I stayed connected because I’m still part of the squad. Casey (Stoney) has a big ethos on the team and it’s important to keep everyone together,” Chamberlain explained. “It can be frustrating in training not being able to do what I was doing before and having never had a long term injury before I’ve never known what it’s like not being able to train.
“I’m very competitive and driven and constantly want to be doing as much as I can do which is probably a nightmare for the physios with me trying to push every little boundary I can. It is difficult to get your mind around something you feel like you can do when actually you can’t. It’s a strange mindset to get around.”
Chamberlain has become a case study for the staff with the coaching staff, physios and medics speaking to other female athletes who have had babies to work out time lines and guidance. But they only have a small pool to pick from in football. While a number have become mother's during their time playing not many have continued to play having carried their children. But Chamberlain is determined she will return.
Having come off the grass a few weeks ago her work now consists of mainly gym based activity but while she may not be involved directly in the training sessions she’s still present at Leigh Sports Village observing her teammates being put through their paces. And she’s been embracing different roles on matchdays.
Photographer, pundit, commentator, presenter and supportive teammate, Chamberlain has taken on all manner of tasks already this season.
“I’ve tried to keep myself busy doing different bit and it’s kept me occupied on game days when I could have just been going mad watching,” she said. “Obviously I’m at the ground watching the game so if at half time I’ve seen something I’ll look to give some tips and guidance because you see the game differently if you’re watching from the side. And you want to be able to help your teammates out.”
With United playing so well, dropping just two points this season, there’s not much Chamberlain will have needed to advise on and she’s proud of the way her replacement Mary Earps has stepped in to help maintain the excellent solid defensive line Stoney, Chamberlain and the defence built up in their inaugural campaign.
“They’ve been fantastic this season which can sometimes make it a little bit harder when you’re not involved. It’s quite hard to have been through it all last year and have been an integral part of the team and then this year see everyone doing so well,” Chamberlain said. “But as a goalkeeper union we’re very strong and Mary has done great since she came in. We had so much success defensively last year and built a really strong defensive unit so it’s really good that can continue this year.”
United have only conceded twice in the league this campaign, against City and Arsenal, but a tough test awaits on Sunday as they visit Emma Hayes’ table toppers, who have yet to lose this season.
As usual Chamberlain will be making the trip down to the capital over the weekend and she’s confident her teammates can cause an upset over a very strong Chelsea side.
“Casey is very diligent and meticulous in her planning and knows how to execute every game plan against every opposition to nullify all their threats,” Chamberlain said of United’s tactics. “We’re confident we can go there and cause an upset but Chelsea are a fantastic side and if you look at the strength of their squad they’re capable of putting out two different starting XI’s both capable of competing in the WSL.
“But after the performances against City in the league and the cup and against Arsenal we know we can compete at the top, we know we’ve got that ability. They’ll be expected to win and that’s good for us because it takes the pressure off a little bit and the girls can go out there and enjoy it.”
And while this season’s clash against Chelsea is off limits for the expectant mother the driven 36-year-old is already planning her playing return in the hope of joining a small elite club of players who have had babies and continued to play.
“I’ll just have to see how my body reacts,” Chamberlain said of her return to playing. “It’s definitely the plan to come back, but timing wise we’ll just have to wait and see.”
