While Chelsea's season has not gone completely to plan, with poor results and controversies surrounding the club, this remains true. Their recruitment under Paul Green was impeccable. Most notable are their two summer signings, Alyssa Thompson and Ellie Carpenter, who have become key players for the team. Both players have saved Chelsea's season, and the teams have relied on their speed to make the difference on multiple occasions.
Alyssa Thompson has established herself as a consistent goalscorer for Chelsea, with eight goals across all competitions and six in the WSL, making her the club's all-time goalscorer in the league this season. She has provided a vital attacking threat in crucial games, scoring against Arsenal at the Emirates and securing wins against teams like Tottenham.
She is only the third Chelsea player to reach double figures in goals and assists this season.
Despite joining late in the summer, she was already in season with Angel City, therefore fully up to speed and in good physical condition, and was able to adapt well to the WSL and Chelsea's tactical style. The manager, Sonia Bompastor, has praised her for improving game by game and for connecting well with teammates. She scored her first goal against Paris FC in the Champions League.
She spoke on her move: "Just being around world-class players is amazing. Being around so many amazing players that just teach me different things every day is really cool."
The US national team star is known for her pace and dribbling and has provided Chelsea with a new direct attacking threat on either wing, offering Bompastor tactical flexibility. She can support the full-backs and create space for central attacks by forcing opposing full-backs deeper.
Her goal against Arsenal in the London derby came in the ninth minute and demonstrated her ability to perform on the biggest stages. This goal earned her the WSL goal of the month.
Reflecting on her first Arsenal derby at the Emirates: "I was in awe of how many people were ther,e and I could hear everything. It was really cool. Just being able to play at the Emirates was crazy."
Her move to Chelsea in 2025 represented a significant step in testing herself overseas and pursuing her dream of playing for top European clubs. She reflected: "Since I was little, I have looked up to clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona. I feel like they are some of the biggest teams in the world. I’ve always wanted to eventually play in Europe and play on a team like Chelsea, so when I got the opportunity, I couldn’t say no."
The second summer signing to make an impact is Ellie Carpenter. She joins her former Lyon manager Bompastor in London, along with her Matildas captain, Sam Kerr. She is not only a key defensive figure for Chelsea but also an attacking threat. She brings consistency, intensity and elite one-v-one defending on the right flank.
She brings experience at the highest level, especially in Europe and has regularly been tasked with neutralising opposition wingers in high-pressure matches. While she is young, she has extensive experience; she was just 16 years old when she went to her first Olympics in Rio.
She settled seamlessly into the WSL and made herself unbenchable. She was trusted in both domestic and Champions League fixtures due to her reliability and tactical intelligence.
As a right-back, she offers significant attacking value. Her overlapping runs perfectly complete Alyssa Thompson's speed, and the link-up between these two stars is incredible.
She delivers dangerous crosses from advanced positions and supports sustained pressure in the final third, embodying the modern full-back profile.
Carpenter’s athleticism, pace, and stamina allow her to contribute at both ends of the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
She is comfortable playing in a traditional back four or as a more advanced wing-back, giving Chelsea tactical flexibility depending on the opposition and the state of the game.
Her recovery speed is a crucial asset, enabling Chelsea to maintain a high line without sacrificing defensive security.
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