Chelsea stars Fran Kirby and Jessie Fleming shine with their nations

As the Chelsea men’s team begins its preseason tour, the women continue to compete on the international stage. From the jaw-dropping play of the English Women’s National Team through the group stage to Jessie Fleming guiding the Canadians to the W-Championship final, there are plenty of storylines surrounding the Blues this summer. Fran Kirby’s remarkable journey back to world class form takes a turn in the right direction with her sensational play in the middle of the pitch for the most clinical team in the European Championship. It has not been all positive for Chelsea this summer, but Fleming and Kirby have highlighted the successes that this club has seen on the international stage before a season filled with hope kicks off against West Ham at home on September 11.

With the Canadians battling in a much tougher CONCACAF in 2022, Fleming and her new club teammate, Kadeisha Buchanan, have been the mainstays for manager Beverly Preistman throughout the tournament. Canada has cruised through the group stage and past the semifinals during the tournament. Buchanan has played every minute of the competition, leading the Canadian back line to a perfect record heading into the final. Fleming, on the other hand, has played the seventh-most minutes of anyone in the tournament, more than any other midfielder.

Chelsea’s Fran Kirby and Jessie Fleming are balling out this summer thus far

It hasn’t just been her presence either, Fleming has been as dynamic as ever in the middle of the park for Canada. She makes plays happen with her vision and ability in front of goal. Heading into a massive final against the United States with an Olympic berth on the line, Fleming is tied for the tournament lead in goals with three—along with Manchester City winger, Bunny Shaw, and her Canadian teammate, Juila Grosso. As the tournament comes to a close, Emma Hayes cannot help but smile as she sees her 24-year-old midfielder controlling the game on the international stage.

She may have missed a penalty against Trindad and Tobago to kick off the competition, but Fleming was able to recover, put that moment behind her and net a brilliant goal in the 84’ minute to seal the deal on a Canadian win. Fleming broke the deadlock against Costa Rica and then again versus Jamaica in the semifinal match, scoring in two completely different ways. If anything this summer is going to excite Chelsea fans, it is going to be the fact that Fleming has been Canada’s most dangerous attacking player, and there is still so much to iron out going forward.

On the European Championship side of things, England has been a team that is nearly impossible to ignore. The Lionesses play Spain in the knockout round after coasting through their group stage, finishing with a +14 goal differential over three matches. Despite Bethany England and Jess Carter not getting much game time at all, Millie Bright and Kirby have been consistent contributors to the success of a team still searching for its first European crown. After starting only nine matches in the WSL last season, Kirby was looking to get back into form this summer with the Lionesses.

From nearly being forced out into retirement multiple times due to heart problems to being a dangerous No. 10 for an English side on a mission in the Euros, Kirby is truly an inspiration. Her fitness was not where it needed to be for the Blues this past season, so she missed significant time. While Hayes never said she was worried about it, seeing Kirby on the international stage making intricate passes that lead to goals reassures the Chelsea boss that her star is getting back to her world class ways.

Through just three matches, Kirby has one exquisite goal against Northern Ireland and she is tied for second in the competition in assists with three heading into the quarterfinals. She has the fifth most goals-plus-assists per 90’ in the tournament with 1.73. Given all of the excitement surrounding the new signings, Kirby started to slide under the rug. But after her contributions to the jaw-dropping performances that England has put together, Kirby is ready to help be one of the key parts that leads the Blues to yet another WSL title next May.

It has not been all positive for some of the Chelsea players though. Pernille Harder has been asked to do way too much for Denmark and Aniek Nouwen picked up an injury in the first match against Sweden, two unfortunate circumstances for the Blues supporters.

Through all of these lows, Fleming and Kirby have been the Chelsea stars of the summer so far. With the W-Championship wrapping up and the Euros in the quarterfinals, there are still plenty of games that could potentially change that. Success for Hayes and the Blues this summer has been abundant, from the additions to mainstays starring on their national teams. The anticipation surrounding this season when it comes to more than just domestic success is through the roof.