Team Summary
Already four-time English Champions and beaten UWCL finalists in 2021, the Blues are looking to finally go that step further and claim the final piece of silverware missing from their extensive cabinet.
With manager Emma Hayes taking charge of her final European campaign before joining the US Women’s National Team, there is a chance for the fairytale ending for her too.
Road To The Knockouts
After a controversial 2-2 draw away at Real Madrid, a spectacular Sam Kerr hat-trick got the Blues their 1st group stage win as they drubbed Paris FC 4-1. Despite drawing a frustrating 0-0 blank against BK Häcken, Erin Cuthbert’s excellent brace ensured the reverse tie in Sweden went in their favour. A tense, tepid affair against Real Madrid again saw Cuthbert seize the moment to score the winner before a stellar performance away against Paris FC saw the Blues record a stylish 4-0 win on Matchday 6 to remain unbeaten so far.
They topped Group D with 14 points, 4 wins, 2 draws, 15 goals scored and 5 goals against.
Key Player: Erin Cuthbert
A pocket rocket in the heart of midfield, there is almost nothing that Erin Cuthbert cannot do. Her insatiable appetite for tackling and getting stuck in makes her an integral cog in the Chelsea machine, but she is equally able to blend grit with superb technical ability, dribbling skills and a very underrated passing radar. Her assist for Guro Reiten away against Olympique Lyonnais demonstrated this attribute to a tee.
The Scot has also started to contribute more in front of goal this season and already has 3 strikes in the competition. Having transitioned seamlessly from centre-forward and winger to the centre of the pitch, Cuthbert also possesses the enviable quality of knowing how to be in the right place at the right time to finish slick moves. That said, her catalogue of goals includes a fair few screamers from long range too, and she is capable of launching howitzers off both her left and right feet.
What best sums her up is a general rule of thumb. If Erin Cuthbert has a good game, Chelsea tend to be able to dominate and flex their muscles on their opponents. If an opposition team can nullify her - which is rare - then the Blues can often look lightweight and lose the midfield battle.
Tactical Insight
A slew of injuries have forced Chelsea to show adaptability all season and the UWCL has been no exception. There has been extensive rotation in every single position, but a combination of form and fitness has finally seemingly led to Emma Hayes settling on a pseudo-first choice XI.
The Blues prefer to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which can sometimes shift into 4-3-3 when out of possession and can switch to a 4-4-2 if required. Generally, the focus is on building attacks from the back, with January signing Nathalie Björn already slotting in with an extensive passing range.
Niamh Charles’s rampaging runs forward from fullback have meant that the opposite fullback often tucks inside and also Guro Reiten drops into the half-spaces in the midfield to find passing lanes. Lauren James has also been afforded a free role to float in behind the striker which allows her to be creative and dynamic through the middle, whilst also sometimes dropping onto the wings to attack the fullback.
This can leave the centre-forward isolated at times however, and this puts a lot of pressure on the centre-forward to deliver. Earlier in the season, the WSL Champions used Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel in rotation to lead the line, but the ACL injuries for both of them mean the burden now falls on Mayra Ramirez. However, this is a role the Colombian seems to relish as she is adept at playing with her back to goal, making penetrating runs in behind bullying defenders, and finishing expertly.
Predicted XI:
Hannah Hampton
Eve Perisset-Kadeisha Buchanan-Jess Carter-Niamh Charles
Erin Cuthbert-Melly Leupolz
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd-Sjoeke Nusken-Guro Reiten
Lauren James
Future Star: Aggie Beever-Jones
One of Chelsea’s own, Aggie Beever-Jones has kicked on after two loan spells to cement herself firmly within Chelsea’s plans for the season.
Adept at playing off the left, but also able to play through the middle of the attack. Her pace and directness always make her a threat and she can shoot with both feet effectively, as well as providing killer incisive passes and quality within the final third.
Chelsea’s injury crisis has meant she has had to step up into the limelight and a call-up for the Lionesses is a matter of when, not if.
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