Chelsea Women: How did the Blues’ loanees across England fare this season?

Charlotte Wardlaw

Clubs: Liverpool, Lewes

It was a strange year for the 20 year old Chelsea Women’s academy graduate. After contributing over 900 minutes for Liverpool throughout the 2021/2022 campaign, and appearing in 18 matches in the Barclays Women’s Championship, Wardlaw returned to the Reds. The England U23 international was one of 12 players on Matt Beard’s squad last season to play a part in 15 or more contests.

Hayes and Chelsea thought that with the Merseyside club in the WSL, Wardlaw not have to adjust much going back into the same system while attempting to find her footing in top-flight football. That did not happen. Beard only played Wardlaw four times in the domestic league, starting her just once before returning back to west London on the second day of the new year. It seemed to be a confusing decision because her performances deserved to be rewarded especially her display against Reading in November.

Beard wanted her back due to her versatility she provided in their Championship winning campaign, but her number was rarely called upon this time around. The Reds’ believed they had better reinforcements in the back line, so just a few weeks after coming back to Cobham, Wardlaw was sent back to the Championship.

She joined Thompson in east Sussex after being a part in the west Londoners’ training over the winter break in Spain. The former Reds’ loanee would play in 15 contests including three cup matches including a start against Manchester United in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

Wardlaw played predominantly as a central defender and defensive midfielder during her second loan this past season. The entire campaign had to have been a tough experience for someone who was excited to be back with Beard’s side, but the hope is the second half of the season gave her confidence heading into wherever she may be in September of 2023.