Goalkeepers
Ann-Katrin Berger 9 Her performances should see her considered one of the world’s best goalkeepers. The 30-year-old won the golden glove with 12 clean sheets. Chelsea have conceded just 10 goals in 22 games but Berger has let in only seven – of which five were to other teams in the top four.
Carly Telford 5 With Berger flying, Telford has seen even less action than usual. She played in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Brighton which ended a run of 33 games without a defeat and in the 1-1 draw in the season opener against Manchester United.
Zecira Musovic 5 Signed in December 2020 from the Swedish side Rosengård, Musovic is being eased into life at Chelsea. She made two starts in the league, against West Ham and Aston Villa, and kept a clean sheet in both.
Defenders
Hannah Blundell 6 The full-back has struggled for playing time but is a solid squad player and has done well when used.
Millie Bright 8 Key to Chelsea’s impressive defensive record – the best in the league – is the understanding between Bright and Magda Eriksson. Bright has struggled to replicate her club form with England but is arguably one of the best centre-backs in the league given her consistency.
Jess Carter 8 Made only eight league appearances – of which two were starts – but her high rating reflects the ease with which she slotted into the starting lineup at a critical point after injury to influential right-back Maren Mjelde.
Magda Eriksson 10 The club captain’s importance was keenly felt when she was absent for much of April due to injury. The commanding centre-back brings the best out of Bright and although Emma Hayes prides herself on fielding a team of leaders there is a reason why Eriksson wears the armband. Her commanding performances and leadership have driven Chelsea towards a possible quadruple.
Jonna Andersson 7 The left-back has been strong going forward but has struggled at times when teams have targeted her side of the pitch. Dropped for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final after she was run ragged in the first but her league form has been solid.
Maren Mjelde 7 The right-back was one of Cheslea’s most consistent performers until her season was cruelly ended in March by a knee injury which required surgery. Scored penalties in both legs of the last-16 Champions League tie with Atlético Madrid.
Niamh Charles 7 The 21-year-old has excelled when called upon, particularly in the latter stages of the season where she has shared right-back duties with Carter. Has shown incredible versatility, looking comfortable on the right wing, at right-back and, recently, at left-back too.
Midfielders
Sophie Ingle 8 For many, Ingle was one of the first names on the Chelsea teamsheet last term. This season the Wales international has played fewer games but when she shields Eriksson and Bright few can break the Blues down. Filled in well at the back with Eriksson out too.
Melanie Leupolz 8 The former Bayern Munich captain joined Chelsea in March last year and has become integral to the midfield. Scored the critical away goal against her former team in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Ji So-yun 9 Arguably the best foreign player in WSL history Ji continues to be one of Chelsea’s most creative players. The South Korean twists her way out of the tightest gaps and has an eye for passes that few others would dare to try.
Guro Reiten 7 Having impressed in her first season at Chelsea, the Norwegian had to settle for fewer starts in her second. Nevertheless she has continued to thrive and offered an formidable option from the bench.
Jessie Fleming 6 The Canadian came off the bench 10 times in the league, made three starts in her first professional season and has not looked out of place.
Drew Spence 6 Amid a sea of attacking players, Chelsea’s longest-serving player continued to provide a strong defensive option from the bench.
Forwards
Beth England 7 The England international has struggled to replicate last season’s electric form. That has been in part due to missing much of pre-season with injury and the undroppable form of Fran Kirby, Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder. She still has six goals in 19 appearances, including 10 starts, in the league.
Fran Kirby 10 The renaissance of Kirby after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with the debilitating heart condition pericarditis has been remarkable and wonderful. She scored 16 league goals and assisted 11 and has formed a formidable partnership with Kerr.
Sam Kerr 9 Took time to settle in England but has surpassed the record-breaking single-season goal tallies she racked up in the US and Australia (18 and 16 respectively). This term she scored 21 in 22 league games to pip Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema to the golden boot.
Erin Cuthbert 7 The Scot is another to have lost out to the Kerr, Kirby, Harder triumvirate. Her early season form as those three settled was particularly impressive.
Pernille Harder 9 The arrival of Harder was another statement of intent from Hayes. The European player of the year wants the Champions League and so does her manager. Harder has slotted into Chelsea pretty seamlessly and the interplay between her, Kerr and Kirby has been delightful.
from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/33wYoVQ
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