Chelsea player ratings at the Women’s World Cup: Norway, Lionesses on top
By George Perry
2. Quarterfinal exit: Norway
Maren Mjelde, Centre back, Norway: 7.5
Mjelde was the best all-around defender from Chelsea’s contingent at the Women’s World Cup, and one of the best in the tournament.
Her two-way play from centreback reflected her experience as a midfielder for the Blues, moving up to support the play from a more advanced central role or on the left. Unlike some other Chelsea players (see: Luiz, David) she did this without compromising her defensive duties. One of the more interesting things to watch in the season ahead from Emma Hayes is how she takes advantage of the link-up between Mjelde and Guro Reiten, which we saw a glimpse of in this tournament.
Guro Reiten, Attacking midfielder, Norway: 8
Reiten will report to Chelsea for the first time in a few weeks after her summer break, but the club are better off claiming her as one of their own now. Guro Reiten was one of the two breakthrough players of the tournament on Norway’s squad, the other being Caroline Graham Hansen.
Reiten’s movement on the ball through midfield and her ability to send the penultimate or final pass into the box shows her developing into one of the best offensive creators in the game. At times Norway’s build-up play was overly patient (sound familiar?), which blunted the opportunities for Reiten, Hansen and striker Isobel Herlovsen to strike quickly in transition. But Reiten had the ability to pick apart a defence, which shifted the pressure to Hanson or Herlovsen to be in a position to finish the chance.
Also. Tactics and Transfers: 3-4-2-1 is Frank Lampard's best early choice. light
Maria Thorisdottir, Centre back, Norway: 6.5
While Mjelde would move up to support the attack, Maria Thorisdottir was the more defensive-minded centreback, with right back Ingrid Moe Wold dropping deep to help cover. This created a few defensive issues for the Norwegians, as they lost more defensively by Mjelde going up than Moe Wold could contribute in the deeper role.
Compounding the issue was Thorisdottir having the unfortunate tendency of always having a blunder in her. Whether it was a misplaced clearance, a poor tackle or contact (such as conceding a penalty against England), that bizarre torso-lunge at the ball that was way too close to a handball… there’s always that risk, and it thaws the ice-cold certainty of 90% or more of her overall defending.