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

After weeks of buildup, Emma Hayes and the Chelsea Women have confirmed the arrival of French international Ashley Lawrence from Paris Saint-Germain.

While Mauricio Pochettino and the men’s team continue to send players packing, the women cannot stop adding senior-level talent. After an extended wait, the Canadian international wing back Ashley Lawrence has finally signed a three-year deal with the Chelsea Women. Since late May, the former PSG defender had been rumored to have joined the west Londoners. It could not be official until her contract with the French side came to a close. 23 days following her announcement that her six and a half year career in the French capital was over, Lawrence was officially introduced publicly by Hayes’ side. The 28-year-old went straight from the collegiate game in the United States to European football, just like Catarina Macario, and Jessie Fleming.

The west London outfit now has a strong Canadian contingent as the former West Virginia Mountaineer teams up with her Canadian teammates Fleming and Kadeisha Buchanan. Her transition into the team should be made much easier given she has been playing with two regulars in Hayes’ side for years on the international stage. Canada will be one of three teams including Germany with three or more west Londoners on its World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament.

Since June 1, the Blues have extended two crucial pieces to their success last season, and added three new additions to the squad going forward. Lawrence’s arrival comes just days after left-back Alejandra Bernabé put pen to paper on a contract before going back out on loan with Real Sociedad. Bernabé is a youthful player of the future, while Lawrence is a wing back that can slot right into the senior team in September.

The Toronto native has been to a Champions League final, hoisted a domestic title, and been a part of a gold medal winning team in the Olympics. Her honors go beyond just the team level. Lawrence won the 2019 Canada Soccer Player of the Year, something Fleming and Buchanan both won more than once. She also finished eighth in the 2021 Ballon d’Or voting, just ahead of Fran Kirby and Fleming.

While Manchester United continue to crumble having lost two of its most influential players, the west Londoners move another step toward a potential UEFA Women’s Champions League title. It makes perfect sense why Hayes was so attracted to Lawrence in the first place. She not only is considered one of the best full backs in the world, but has shown an ability to contribute on both flanks if needed. Versatility is something that Hayes is keen on having in as many of her players as possible not knowing what kind of campaign could unfold before her eyes.

Since 2017, she has called Paris home, starting in all but three league matches over the last two campaigns. Lawrence is an extremely good ball progressor, playing a part in the attack through her passing or progressive carries. She was the only player on her club side, and one of five in Division 1 Féminine last season with over 120 progressive passes. In all competitions, the Blues’ new No. 12 had over 128 final third entries, and 155 progressive passes in 2022/2023.

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.

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.