The Women’s Euros are not the only competition that Chelsea has players participating in this summer. The W-Championship features some of the world’s top nations in CONCACAF that possesses the prize of a World Cup or even Olympic berth at the end of the tunnel. The Blues only have two players competing in this competition during the next few weeks, but both of them are in the starting XI of one of the favorites of the tournament, Canada. Jessie Fleming and one of the Blues’ newest additions, Kadeisha Buchanan, have both been the sparks the team needed at the beginning of the tournament with a lot on the line.
Fleming and Buchanan were two of five players to play all 90 minutes against Trinidad and Tobago recently. In her 101st appearance, Fleming netted the 16th goal of her national team career in the 84’ of the first contest of the competition. At the age of 17, the former UCLA product made the 2015 Canadian World Cup roster and she is now one of the most integral parts of this qualifying roster that manager Beverly Priestman has put together. Despite missing a penalty in the opening half, Fleming was able to redeem herself with a goal in the run of play in the second 45 minutes. Fleming’s dynamism on the ball is what makes the entire Canadian attack tick. Her importance represents the importance of the Blues’ stars in the tournament.
The Chelsea Women have two stars playing in the W-Championship right now
Even with all the talent that the Canadian team possesses with Christine Sinclair and Deanne Rose, Fleming knows what it takes to break defenses down with her vision and lateral quickness. Her role with Chelsea is going to be taken up a notch next season, and playing such a big role on her national team will get her used to the pressure of being one of the key playmakers on the pitch. Fleming was constantly part of the build-up of the Canadian attack in the first contest and as the competition progresses, her inclusion will be more and more important.
Opportunities came and went for Fleming as she realistically could have finished with a hat-trick if she took advantage of the chances she was presented with throughout the match. Priestman and Emma Hayes play different formations, but both use Fleming on the wing in one form or another. She will most likely play behind Janine Beckie in the Canadian attack on the right side, and with Hayes’ willingness to play five in the midfield, Fleming should play that exact position just in a different formation at Chelsea. This is where Blues’ supporters get to see one of the most promising players on their roster before the season starts. Fleming came to Chelsea for a challenge, and with her growth over the past few years, Hayes is ready to consistently use her in a midfield five that is looking as scary as any in the Women’s Super League next season.
The Canadians take on another below-par side in Panama next as they look to carve their way through the group and into the World Cup. With the lack of competition in CONCACAF, the 26-year-old from Toronto, Buchanan, will not get to show her full skillset on the defensive end. Her strength and composure at the back make her one of the best centerbacks in the world. While she may be playing next to Vanessa Gilles this summer as the centerback duo, Millie Bright, Jess Carter and Magdalena Eriksson will be a step up in quality when it comes to the fall. Buchanan is still searching for her first goal in international play since 2019 against Cameroon, which is something to keep an eye out for as the competition progresses. Priestman normally plays a back four, and while Hayes does lean more towards a back three. Buchanan is so flexible that it should not matter which formation the Blues are in—her abilities will shine through.
Despite the fact that there are only two players participating in the W-Championship for the Blues, it does not mean Chelsea fans should not pay attention. The two individuals playing in this competition are going to play a major role in the success of the club not only next season but for years to come. One of them has not suited up in a Chelsea kit yet and seeing her first matches since she signed for the club only adds to the excitement of what could be the 2022/23 season.
Watching these two link up on the same team this summer could bode well heading into a season filled with hype. Fleming and Buchanan are both world class talents as they both represent the growth of the Chelsea Women across the globe.