Chelsea Women remain unbeaten across all competitions this season with 11 wins and two draws from 13 matches.
It’s a run that sees them top of the Women’s Super League and fourth in the Women’s Champions League group stage. The Blues are the top scorers in the WSL this season with 27 goals and have only conceded four. Their defence has been stronger in the Champions League, with three clean sheets from their three group stage games.
Chelsea have torn opposition defences apart without having a standout scorer, although Melvine Malard has scored six goals across all competitions — excluding Champions League qualifying. But it’s the player with five goals that may be Chelsea’s most important player this season: Ellie Carpenter.
The importance of Ellie Carpenter
Use in the team
Some Chelsea fans have already expressed their worries about Carpenter being overworked this season. She is Chelsea’s main right-back option with Lucy Bronze being played more as a centre-back and Nelly Las a longer-term signing.
Across all competitions this season (excluding Women’s Champions League qualifying), Carpenter has played more minutes than any other Chelsea player (939). Even more than first-choice goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (900). The Australian has missed just 51 minutes of action this season, with six coming in the WSL. Carpenter also started on the bench in the recent Champions League win over Roma, but came on at half-time to open the scoring.
It’s a big change from last season when Carpenter played in 29 of Chelsea’s 37 games across all competitions, being on the pitch for 73.6% of their minutes. However, she was still the third most-used player by Bompastor across all competitions, behind Erin Cuthbert and Keira Walsh.
Chelsea’s best attacker
The main reason for Carpenter’s minutes is her quality in doing the job Bompastor wants from her right-back. It’s arguably the most important position in Chelsea’s tactical setup right now. If Carpenter isn’t on the ball trying to create with her overlapping runs, she’s getting onto the end of attacks in the opposition box.
The Australian leads Chelsea players with 67 touches in the opposition box across all competitions and is only second to Lucy Bronze (997) with her 716 touches overall. She also leads Chelsea for her 214 final third passes attempted and 168 completed. Midfield conductor Walsh sits second for both metrics.
Carpenter is heavily involved in Chelsea’s attack. She has been involved in more shots than any other Chelsea player across all competitions this season (44). The Australian has taken 21 shots and created 23 chances, moving her clear of Sjoeke Nusken (40 shot involvements), James (39), Alyssa Thompson (38) and Walsh (36). Breaking down things a bit further, only Katie McCabe has created more chances for Chelsea (24). James (32), Malard (28) and Nusken (26) are the only players with more shots.
While Carpenter’s 23 chances created have only produced one assist, the Australian is much more fruitful in front of goal. The 26-year-old has scored five goals across all competitions for Chelsea, second only to Malard’s six. And, as mentioned, one of those goals was crucial in opening the scoring against Roma in a game that had proven tough for Chelsea.
Defensive solidity
But Carpenter isn’t just an attacking full-back leaving gaps at the back. That’s why Chelsea fans are worried about a lack of rotational option. Carpenter is giving her all at both ends of the pitch for the full 90 minutes every match.
While Carpenter doesn’t lead many defensive metrics, she certainly isn’t shying away from the responsibilities. The Australian ranks fourth among Chelsea players for her 18 tackles won across all competitions this season. She’s only beaten by Bronze (34), Wieke Kaptein and Lexi Potter (both 27). It’s a similar story for blocks and clearances. Only Bronze (33), Veerle Buurman and Kadeisha Buchanan (both 32) have made more combined blocks and clearances than Carpenter’s 26. She ranks fifth overall for her eight interceptions.
One metric Carpenter does lead is ball recoveries. No outfield Chelsea player has made more ball recoveries than Carpenter’s 59, sitting joint top with Potter. These possessions won have been spread across the pitch too, again highlighting Carpenter’s impact. Carpenter ranks second for her possessions won in the attacking third (11), third for the middle third (28) and third for the defensive third (20). She’s the only player at Chelsea with at least 10 possessions won in all three thirds.
If everything goes to plan, this will be a long season for Chelsea. Which means Carpenter’s importance will continue to grow. But Bompastor will want to make sure she can find a way to rest the Australian without compromising her team too much — both in terms of losing a key player for a game and avoiding any injury worries.