3 takeaways as Chelsea Women go top with triumph over West Ham

3 Takeaways as Chelsea Women go top with win over West Ham

DAGENHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Niamh Charles of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team's first goal with Magdalena Eriksson during the FA Women's Super League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at Chigwell Construction Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

Niamh Charles of Chelsea (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

3. Niamh Charles continues to make her name known with breakout campaign

The Blues’ No. 21 has taken her largest step forward of her career since moving to west London from Liverpool. For the fifth consecutive WSL game dating back to early April against Aston Villa, the English international Niamh Charles played a part of at least one of the goals. Wednesday marked her 100th appearance of what is hoped to be many more for the west Londoners’.

Charles was simply in the right place at the right time to smash her fourth league goal of the 2022/2023 campaign. Her versatility is something that Hayes has utilized on multiple occasions. Not only is she getting better and better defensively, but her threat going forward is something that is consistently present. Two years ago, it would have been a long shot to say that Charles could be a consistent starter as a wing back for a club like the west London side. She has put her head down, and rewritten her career since missing out on the Women’s Euros this past summer.

The 23-year-old’s growth from the beginning of the campaign to now has been remarkable. Her youth and hunger make her an asset for the consistent success of this club in the foreseeable future. In 2021/2022, Charles made just 12 starts, and after the match in east London, the Blues’ No. 21 set a season-high in west London in starts at 13. She is one of 11 CFC players this season to have made it in the starting XI on more than 12 occasions.

Home/Chelsea Women