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

Despite the previous point, the French defender still possesses a strong threat going forward having nearly found the back of the net in the opening minutes against Tottenham in the Conti Cup win at Brisbane Road. In the Euros this past summer, Perisset accumulated 90 minutes or more for France on four occasions, including contributing the game-clinching penalty against Netherlands in the quarterfinals while leading her team in tackles in her 105 minutes on the pitch against the Dutch with eight. On a depleted French side, Perisset’s presence was very much know to any fan tuning in as she controlled the right side of France’s defense with composure, and dynamism.

Emma Hayes honestly cannot go wrong with either of these two. Neither of them have been complete standouts in a way that is driving the other off the pitch, so for Hayes, it has been a rotating position for nearly the entire campaign so far. Although in matches against both Reading, and Vllaznia, Hayes deployed them both in the starting XI, it is becoming a common theme to see one of them swap with the other in the middle of a match.

Charles has started in 14 contests so far this season, while Perisset has been in the starting lineup in 13. Following Charles’ two assist outing in 90 minutes against Liverpool, and Perisset’s injury, the English international has to be the go-to player for Hayes over the next few weeks. If both of them are healthy, and fit, which one should get the nod over the other?

It is a difficult question to answer because both of these players have relatively matched each others performances every time out. Do you go with the experience of Perisset at 28, or the youth and potential of growth with Charles? For someone that has forced her way into the squad like Charles has this season combined with her gradual improvement defensively makes me lean more towards Charles as the first choice.

Her background as an attacker benefits her in many ways, and against Liverpool, it is clear she has the talent to find players in the box from the wing. Perisset is as talented as they come, and for Hayes, this is most likely going to be a position that sees continued rotation, but for what she can bring further down the line, Charles receives my nod.