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Taking a look at Chelsea Women’s latest signing Ashley Lawrence

By Caden Charpentier

Ashley Lawrence of Paris Saint-Germain, now Chelsea, runs in the field during the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final 1st leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and VfL Wolfsburg at Le Parc des Princes on March 22, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Ashley Lawrence of Paris Saint-Germain, now Chelsea, runs in the field during the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final 1st leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and VfL Wolfsburg at Le Parc des Princes on March 22, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Ashley Lawrence of Paris Saint Germain, now Chelsea Women, during the UEFA Champions League quarter final match for women between VFL Wolfsburg and Paris Saint Germain at VFL Wolfsburg Arena on March 30, 2023 in Wolfsburg, Germany. AP | Dutch Height | Gerrit van Cologne (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) /

Ashley Lawrence brings both an attacking-mindedness, and a versatility that is going to be particularly valuable to the Chelsea Women going forward

Lawrence has at least contributed to three goals across all competitions since 2018, playing the distributor role for three last season. Similar to Lauren James, she is not afraid to take players on one-on-one. With the English international on the right flank in front of Lawrence, the two could create havoc for any opposition across European football. If Hayes considers Jess Carter a center back, Lawrence will rotate with Eve Perisset and Niamh Charles at the full back positions. Charles and the newcomer are both in the 90th percentile of higher in successful take-ons with Lawrence sitting in the 99th percentile for full backs. With both Charles, and the Canadian international in the same lineup as opposite full backs, Hayes will essentially have two extra attacking wingers that can bring the ball forward, and overlap the midfielders out wide in order to send in crosses.

It may have taken a bit longer to announce than expected, but her talent is clearly worth the wait. Depending on the load of matche she receives in the World Cup, Lawrence should be in the starting lineup right out of the gate. Hayes usually likes to play it safe with her new signings, but like Buchanan, the wing back has experience playing against Lyon and in the Champions League for over six years.

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Her positioning, and some of her defensive traits like aerial duels are just some of the things she can look to improve. Despite that, the forward-thinking mentality that she possesses will make life much easier for the players in the final third of the pitch. This team’s depth is again dangerously impressive. With Lawrence’s adaptability and dynamism, the Blues will have even more avenues to attack any opponent across Europe next season.

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