There have been a lot of reasons why the Chelsea Women have outscored the opposition 20-3 over the last five contests. In the spaces that Graham Potter and his side have struggled with have been the most effective ones for Hayes and the Blues. The middle of the park has been bypassed over the last few weeks by the opponent against Potter’s side, but Erin Cuthbert and Sophie Ingle have completely controlled the most critical part of the pitch, leading the Blues to an unimaginable run of form heading into a battle with Spurs at Stamford Bridge this upcoming weekend.
Cuthbert’s talents have been well-recognized throughout the season with her ability to disrupt attacking play through effort and tenacity, but the Welsh captain has been one of if not the most essential piece to the Blues coming out on top during the past few matches. The 31-year-old has been in west London since 2018, and for a short stint from 2012 to 2013, and through all the accolades, Ingle’s football career could have come to an end at just 12 years old. Her story to get to where she is today is simply remarkable. Ingle was forced to simply attend school, and kick the ball around her neighborhood for three years with no women’s club team in her area available at that time.
She was forced to give up the sport she loved, but through some of the most astounding mental toughness, Ingle stayed focused on the task ahead. She joined the Cardiff City Ladies for five years, a club that had been known for producing top Welsh international players at the age of 15. Ingle was someone at a young age that had that fire to be great, and with no female role models behind her, she is now taking on the task of inspiring others, especially ones from the area she grew up in. Ingle has been a part of three clubs in England, but after three years at Liverpool, she has become a player that Blues fans, and Wales supporters continue to adore.
She even played in a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain just a week after her father’s death in 2019. Each day from then on, Ingle plays with the thoughts of her father ringing around her head. With the form that she is currently in now, it is difficult not to reflect on the past that got her to where she is this season.
At this stage in her career, Ingle may not have much time left with the Blues, but at the end of the day for her on and off-the-pitch greatness, the Welsh international will forever be a club legend. Jessie Fleming may be the future replacement in the middle of the park for Ingle, but as for right now, her leadership, and composure make her a key feature in the starting IX.
Ingle had the most interceptions against the Red Devils in CFC‘s last match before the break and was tied with the Blues’ front three with three shot-creating actions through 90 minutes of play. The Welsh captain plays the game of football with such calmness and composure that everyone around here transmits that same energy projected by her.
Her interruption of play during the 60’ against an unbeaten Manchester United led to her collecting an assist following a precise finish by Sam Kerr into the bottom corner.
Just a week earlier against Aston Villa, Ingle had six progressive passes toward the goal tied for the team-high in that game with Danish star Pernille Harder. She was on top of the charts in shot-creating actions and completed over 85 percent of her passes in a match where the Blues had to dig in order to get the result. Through seven WSL contests, Ingle is second on the team behind only the masterful Guro Reiten in goal-creating actions.
She may seem quiet, but that is the beauty of Ingle’s greatness. Her actions speak louder than the words that she leads by on the pitch. She is a constant example of moving past hardships and finding the light at the end of the tunnel. Over the years, Ingle will be remembered for some of the world-class strikes that found the top corner, but it was the little things to make the jobs easier for others that made Ingle who she is.
Seven matches in all competitions remain before the winter intermission, and Ingle is aiming to keep her exceptional form going. She may not be finding the back of the net, but her passes are unlocking parts of the opposition to let the quality of the Blues’ talent take over. From nearly losing the game at age 12 to becoming an irreplaceable piece in the middle of the pitch for Chelsea, Ingle is both a hero for generations to come and someone Blues fans need to treasure while she is still donning Chelsea blue.