Perisset or Charles: Who should be Chelsea’s first choice?

On the right side of the defense, Chelsea Women currently possess two players that have essentially split minutes so far this season. Left-back and goalkeeper are two other positions on this year’s Blues team that have created competition, but none has been more intriguing than what is currently happening at right back. To have two brilliant players to slot into this position in any game is a luxury Emma Hayes is thankful she has, but at the end of the day, she can only choose one for the lineup card.

When French international, Eve Perisset moved from Bordeaux to west London, there was little doubt that after her performance in the Euros in the summer she would be fighting for minutes in her new club. Niamh Charles came into the new campaign with CFC with a chip on her shoulder after failing to make the England squad this past summer. It is quite remarkable to see a player like Charles put her head down and work at earning her spot at CFC even after the club went out and tried to find a replacement during the summer transfer window.

Given the talent in all the attacking areas of the pitch for the Blues, right back is a position that the Englishwomen can contribute to the team consistently while adding that forward presence. Charles is the only one of the two that has found the back of the net during this campaign. Her standout run on the road against Everton when she took on three Toffees’ defenders to net the game-clinching goal of the afternoon has to be in the discussion for the Blues’ goal of the season.