Emma Hayes’ Chelsea as soon as once more had an impeccable season in 2022/23, touchdown a fourth consecutive WSL title, a 3rd successive FA Cup and subsequently a 3rd straight double. In addition they went to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Much like Arsenal, Chelsea have been one other staff that suffered the impacts of dropping key gamers to damage durign their 22/23 marketing campaign, lacking the important thing worth of Fran Kirby, Millie Shiny, Kadeisha Buchanan and Pernille More durable at numerous factors of the season.
While these accidents precipitated points on pitch, it didn’t derail the formidable aspect, with Hayes utilizing each ounce of squad depth obtainable to her to maintain the staff on observe.
Even spending a lot of the WSL marketing campaign chasing shock leaders Manchester United, Chelsea’s late video games in hand ultimately made the distinction as soon as the marketing campaign unfolded on the finish – and residential and away league wins over United, who additionally they beat at Wembley, have been decisive.
Regardless of all of the success, the tip of the marketing campaign was additionally bittersweet as membership captain Magdalena Eriksson bid farewell forward of a brand new problem subsequent season. Pernille More durable will even depart, with the pair anticipated to affix Bayern Munich collectively when the summer time switch window opens.
Chelsea headed into 2022/23 on the hunt for extra silverware. Final season echoed quite a lot of similarities to this one, struggling a loss on the opening day of the league in each circumstances (in opposition to Arsenal in 2021 and Liverpool in 2022), dropping the Conti Cup ultimate, in the end doing a WSL and FA Cup double, however falling in need of their final objective within the Champions League.
Chelsea had clinched the league final season by only one level from Arsenal, however didn’t make it out of the Champions League group levels after drawing two and dropping one recreation. As such, they went into 2022/23 hoping to retain their home dominance however itching for elusive European glory.
Guro Reiten
Unsung hero of the season, Guro Reiten, has been immensely necessary to Chelsea’s successes once more this season, main the way in which for mixed targets and assists and continually being arguably the Blue’s most necessary participant, showing in 39 video games for the aspect in all competitions.
Reiten typically flies beneath the radar as a result of sharing a pitch with superstars like Sam Kerr and Pernille More durable and normally does not obtain the accolades she deserves. However her return of 13 targets and 19 assists throughout all competitions speaks for itself.
The Norweigan was picked for 90min’s WSL staff of the season, having precipitated opposing right-backs no finish of hassle all season. As quickly as she was allowed the ball and noticed a pocket of area, the punishment was there for the opposition, and it’s onerous to assume that Chelsea would not have struggled to seek out as a lot success this season as they did with out her enter.
Honourable mentions: Niamh Charles, Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert
Guro Reiten vs Aston Villa
REITEN EXTENDS CHELSEA’S LEAD!
pic.twitter.com/NDbeOmgJM4
— Sky Sports activities WSL (@SkySportsWSL) April 2, 2023
One other accolade for Reiten, her objective in opposition to Aston Villa was really a magical second. Dispossessing the defence, it’s a true testomony to her potential to win the ball again and create probabilities out of seemingly nothing – it’s why she is so efficient.
It’s simple to name on prolific striker Sam Kerr to seek out the again of the web, moments like this from Reiten make her so necessary.
Honourable mentions: Lauren James vs Spurs, Sam Kerr vs Liverpool, Erin Cuthbert vs West Ham
Chelsea 2-2 Lyon (win on penalties)
In in all probability probably the most tense video games in Champions League historical past, Lyon took an combination lead in extra-time. But Chelsea earned a penalty with the final kick of the sport, dispatched calmly by Maren Mjelde within the 127th minute of the second leg. That compelled a shootout that the Blues received.
Knocking the reigning champions and eight-time winners out of the competitors, Chelsea confirmed unbelievable resilience to maintain combating till the final second of the sport, all of the whereas battling with an injury-stricken squad and intense fixture congestion.
Not solely did this recreation seal their ticket to the semi-finals, but it surely rang true to the mentality that Emma Hayes had gushed about all season, proving simply how dominant of a staff they are surely, not simply domestically however in Europe as properly.
Eve Perisset
Eve Perisset has been in nice nick for the Blues, beginning nearly all of video games for the aspect and becoming into the star-studded staff impressively properly.
The French right-back signed from Bordeaux final summer time, having additionally performed for each Lyon and PSG earlier in her profession, with a status as probably the most dependable performers in D1F. Making the transfer to England, Perisset made 32 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
Honourable mentions: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
Niamh Charles
Niamh Charles has been beforehand somewhat hit-and-miss for Chelsea, struggling to make one place on the pitch her personal, darting from winger to full-bac. Though her versatility has been extremely helpful for Hayes, it has meant the participant didn’t at all times have the perfect of occasions for the Blues.
Nonetheless, this season, Charles has grow to be the favoured left-back choice, taking part in 39 video games in whole, tallying essentially the most appearances for the aspect alongside the aforementioned Reiten.
Hayes lately commented on the 23-year-old, stating how impressed she has been with the Lioness and praised the season she has had, scoring 4 targets and registering six assists.
Regardless the place on the left flank she has been positioned, Charles has definitely proved herself, incomes her minutes for membership and nation in latest months and has been an important version to Hayes’ success this season, a lot developed from the performances she had within the earlier marketing campaign.
Learn the newest Chelsea Ladies information right here
Shedding to Barcelona as soon as once more
Regardless of being a formidable power within the WSL, Chelsea as soon as once more have been unable to topple European giants Barcelona, the aspect that thrashed them within the 2021 ultimate, and stumbled out of the Champions Legaue after a 3-1 combination defeat over two legs within the semi-final.
It was a tricky loss for a aspect that was with out first alternative centre-back pairing Millie Shiny and Kadeisha Buchanan as a result of damage. Fran Kirby, a pivotal addition to the midfield, was additionally lacking, whereas Pernille More durable was getting back from damage however not match sufficient to play a full 90 minutes.
Within the first leg, it solely took Caroline Graham Hansen three minutes to punish an absence of focus to set the guests 1-0 up, a objective that will decide the trajectory of the tie for the Blues.
Unable to present themselves a leg up going into the second tie at Camp Nou, regardless of their finest efforts, the London aspect succumbed to defeat by the hands of Catalans as soon as once more.
Most appearances
High scorers
Chelsea 2022/23 high help makers
In
|
Participant |
Place |
From Membership |
|---|---|---|
|
Kadeisha Buchanan |
DF |
Lyon |
|
Eve Perisset |
DF |
West Ham United |
|
Katerina Svitkova |
FW |
Bordeaux |
|
Lucy Watson |
FW |
Sheffield United |
|
Jelena Cankovic |
FW |
FC Rosengard |
|
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd |
FW |
BK Hacken |
Out
|
Participant |
Place |
To Membership |
|---|---|---|
|
Drew Spence |
DF |
Tottenham Hotspur |
|
Ji So-yun |
MF |
Suwon |
|
Jonna Andersson |
DF |
Hammarby |
|
Poppy Sopper |
GK |
Charlton Athletic |
|
Bethany England |
FW |
Tottenham Hotspur |
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