Chelsea Women at 2023 World Cup: Previewing knockout stage

After 48 matches in Australia and New Zealand, only 13 Chelsea Women players remain with the hope of securing the World Cup title after the shock eliminations of Canada and Germany. Blues fans are going to have to wait a little less than two months now to see new signings Ashley Lawrence, and German Sjoeke Nüsken back on the pitch. Ann-Katrin Berger failed to make it on the pitch for the European runners-up last summer while Melanie Leupolz, Jessie Fleming, and Kadeisha Buchanan combined to make six starts for their respective countries.

Two goalkeepers, six defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards make up the representatives left from Emma Hayes’ side. All but two individuals propelled their nation to the top of their respective group. Before the knockout stage begins in Australia and New Zealand, here is everything you need to know from the Chelsea Women perspective.

Chelsea Women in World Cup Knockout stage: Saturday, August 5

Japan vs. Norway

Kick-off time: 4:00 a.m. EST, 9:00 a.m. BST

Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium

Chelsea Women players: Maika Hamano, Guro Reiten, Maren Mjelde

The west London Norwegians are two of only three players on the No. 12th team in the world according to FIFA to contribute in every minute during Group A play. The only other player was goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen. After a slow start to the tournament, Guro Reiten collected an assist and a goal in Norway’s 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines to clinch second place and a spot in the Round of 16.

Hege Riise has deployed Reiten in a position she is not used to playing with Hayes at the helm. The superstar left-footed midfielder has been slotted into the midfield three instead of the front three, hampering the Norwegian’s ability to effect the contest like she did last season in the Women’s Super League. In Riise’s 4-3-3 formation, Mjelde has contributed as the right-sided center back, leading her nation in total touches through three games.

On the Japanese side, youngster Maika Hamano is one of just three players to not make it on the pitch. It makes sense since she is just 19, and the hope that she will make it on the pitch is more and more unrealistic as the tournament goes on. The Asian outfit has been the most impressive nation heading into the knockout stage, netting 11 goals while conceding none.

Netherlands vs. South Africa

Kick-off time: 10:00 p.m. EST, 3:00 a.m. BST

Stadium: Sydney Football Stadium

Chelsea Women players: Aniek Nouwen

The 24-year-old central defender came onto the pitch for the final 45 minutes of the Netherlands’ second group stage match against the No. 1 ranked United States. She slotted in as the middle center back of the Dutch’s back line for Stefanie van der Gragt. She finished second on the team in total clearances, but other than that, the former AC Milan loanee did not do a whole lot.

Nouwen was in the middle of the box when Lindsey Horan smashed home a header to equalize the match off a set-piece. Heading into the contest against the underdogs, South Africa, the west Londoner will more than likely start on the bench with the Dutch deploying a back three of Sherida Spitse, Sherida Spitse, and van der Gragt.

World Cup Knockout stage: Sunday, August 6

Sweden vs. United States

Kick-off time: 5:00 a.m. EST, 10:00 a.m. BST

Stadium: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

Chelsea Women players: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Zecira Musovic

Both Swedish Blues received starts in the first two group stage contests, helping their nation to back to back wins against South Africa and Italy. Musovic played the role as the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper, ahead of Jennifer Falk. West London’s No. 2 stop stopper only faced six shots on target through two matches, but the more Sweden progresses, the more Musovic is going to be challenged. With Berger’s side out, this is the Swede’s chance to show Hayes what she is capable of on the big stage.

Playing mostly as the right winger, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has been one of the most impressive attacking Chelsea Women players this tournament. She assisted Fridolina Rolfö for the game-tying goal against the South Africans to open the tournament, playing a brilliant ball into the box from the right flank. In addition to he being defensively active, nobody on Sweden has more progressive carries or attempted take-ons than Kaneryd through 270 minutes of football. With the United States up next, both west Londoners should make it into Peter Gerhardsson’s starting XI.

CFCW World Cup Knockout stage: Monday, August 7

England vs. Nigeria

Kick-off time: 3:30 a.m. EST, 8:30 a.m. BST

Stadium: Brisbane Football Stadium

Chelsea Women players: Millie Bright, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Niamh Charles, Lauren James

While Hannah Hampton, and Niamh Charles have combined to appear in just 20 minutes in three games, the other three stars from west London have been vital pieces to the Lionesses success. None of been more influential than Lauren James. The Blues’ No. 10 without question leads the Golden Ball race, contributing to six goals in just 200 minutes on the pitch. Many people viewed James as the sister of Reece James heading into this competition. Now, everyone should consider Reece to be the brother of Lauren.

She has five more successful take-on attempts than any of her England teammates, gliding through opponents’ backlines with relative ease. Her finishing has been one of the major storylines of the tournament. Left foot. Right foot. Doesn’t matter. Not even the referees can prevent James from taking over a game.

On the defensive side of things, Bright and Carter have both started in multiple contests. England’s captain has played a part in every group stage minute while being one of just three players along with Carter to complete 200 or more passes. The west Londoner’s are the only two field players on the Lionesses to have contributed in two or more 90s and complete over 87 percent of their passes. Both of them current rank one and two in total clearances on the team. Carter’s pass completion percentage is in fact the highest of any player at the tournament. The Blues’ No. 7 has been much more than just a center back, providing the English with tactical flexibility in both the going forward and in the backline.

James, Bright, and Carter should all start against Nigeria. Bright should be in the middle of a back-three with Carter roaming as the center back on the right side, and James acting as that No. 10.

Australia vs. Denmark

Kick-off time: 6:30 a.m. EST, 11:30 a.m. BST

Stadium: Stadium Australia

Chelsea Women players: Sam Kerr

Due to a calf injury, star striker Sam Kerr has yet to make it on the pitch during this World Cup where her nation is one of the co-hosts. The positive news, it looks like she will be back for the knockouts against Pernille Harder and Denmark. According to sources over in Australia, she has spent time on the exercise bike during training with the hope she can be fit in time for Monday. Players throughout the group stage praised Kerr’s unselfishness.

One of the Matildas’ defenders Clare Polkinghorne expressed No. 20’s impact off the pitch:

"“She always puts the team before herself, so right from the beginning, she‘s been our biggest supporter and always helping out where she can.”"

For any fan of Hayes’ side, a Harder vs. Kerr matchup on the world stage would be must-see. Hopefully as the days progress, the superstar can work back into the team and help the co-hosts continue their run deep into this tournament.

CFCW World Cup Knockout stage: Tuesday, August 8

France vs. Morocco

Kick-off time: 7:00 a.m. EST, 12:00 p.m. BST

Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium

Chelsea Women players: Ève Périsset

After getting snubbed in the first game against Jamaica in which France lost, wing back Ève Périsset has started the last two on the right side of a back-four. When she played, the French were unbeaten. When she didn’t, Les Bleues were held scoreless.

She is one of nine players to play a part in a goal during the group stage, providing the assist for Vicki Bècho’s goal to close out the 6-3 victory over Panama. Perisset leads Hervé Renard’s team in total tackles won in the group stage while completing the third most passes of any French player. Against the underdogs Morocco, the west Londoner is a lock at right back.

All 2023 Women’s World Cup matches are broadcast on FOX Sports and FS1 in the United States, and on BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom.