When watching the Chelsea Women as of late, there is no keeping your eyes off of 27-year-old Norwegian international Guro Reiten. On the last day of May in 2019, the Blues made one of their best transfer decisions in recent years by signing the former LSK Kvinner FK star for around £12,000. Reiten usually sits on the left flank of the Chelsea attack in the team’s traditional 3-5-2 formation and arguably has the best left foot on the team. This was displayed notably in the FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal with her brilliant curling goal.
Reiten’s creativity and skills on and off the ball have elevated the Blues’ attack while Pernille Harder remained out of the line-up due to an injury. Her versatility is what makes her so valuable to manager Emma Hayes. Reiten can take on defenders, shoot from distance and even fire in crosses. The Norwegian is on track to potentially have her best season since making the voyage to west London though as she continues to grow into a superstar on the club and international levels. Reiten has scored or assisted in five out of the last six matches, and she is going to be one of the catalysts to potentially lead the Blues to a trophy-filled end of the season.
Chelsea Women’s star Guro Reiten is growing into a superstar with the Blues
Before the match against Arsenal last week, Reiten talked about how difficult this season has been for her, stating:
"“That year was difficult on many levels … I struggled with back injuries as well, but to be isolated, alone here, far away from my family and friends—and players were not allowed to see each other when we weren’t training either—was a really tough time … I appreciate everyone in my team because they are my teammates but they’re also my friends and that year I felt like they were my family. We took care of each other and they were there for me. It was tough, but I’m very glad I play in this team and with so many unbelievable human beings, because that’s what they are.”"
Reiten is a set piece specialist and she plays a lot like Hakim Ziyech in the men’s team. Both have a dazzling left foot that has the ability to find players making a run on a dime. In addition, both of these players make the game look effortless with a combination of elite vision and smooth skills with a ball at their feet. Almost every goal the Norwegian scores could easily be in consideration for Goal of the Season, she’s just a sensational overall footballer. Reiten’s ability to combine power with finesse makes it almost impossible for virtually any keeper to prevent the inevitable. When looking at this Chelsea side, most people will usually bring up the household names of Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby or even Harder, but few bring up Reiten. Everything she does makes her a player that fans should cherish as much as they can.
The Norwegian is tied for third on the team in goals in the Women’s Super League with six and joint-second in total assists this season. Not only is she just scoring goals, Reiten is netting some of the most essential goals of the season for the Blues. From a game-winner against Manchester City in the league to the goal that broke the deadlock against the Gunners in the FA Cup semifinal, Reiten continues to find ways to influence the match in the most salient of moments. She also scored one of the most overlooked goals of the season against Everton in the league back in mid-March. Reiten netted a rocket into the top of the net to secure a brace in a match after Chelsea barely escaped with the three points the week before in a slugfest against Carla Ward and Aston Villa. That goal, in retrospect, turned the tides for the Blues.
Heading into the final stretch of the season, Chelsea will need all Reiten has in the tank. Fans need to take time to appreciate what this Norwegian is doing this season because it is truly remarkable. Out of all of the wingers in the WSL like Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp or even Manchester United’s Leah Galton, none of them have the versatility that Reiten possesses. While most of those players score more goals in the end, Reiten influences matches in a way that simply cannot be measured using solely statistics. Intelligence—along with an exquisite left foot—make Reiten one of Chelsea’s most priceless players.
After tearing it up in the first division of Norwegian in the first half of her career, some questioned her ability to translate it to England. She has more than found a place in a team that is growing into a footballing powerhouse in not only the WSL, but Europe as a whole. Reiten is on track to have her best goal-scoring season since 2019 given her current form. Trophies are in the potential forecast for the Blues, and a lot of the credit to get this team into this position has to go to Reiten, who just continues to wreak havoc on back lines.
Do you think Reiten is the most underrated played that perfects her skill at Kingsmeadow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!