Chelsea Women confirm Mia Fishel signing, what will her role be next season?

On the same day that Chelsea Football Club made the arrival of a central defender official, Chelsea Women confirmed the signing of American international Mia Fishel on a three-year deal.

Even though a significant amount of the roster is down under competing for their respective nations does not mean Chelsea will stop making transactions. The 22-year-old San Diego, California native was rumored by FOX Sports Mexico to be heading across the pond back on July 18. Now that she is donning the No. 2 kit in blue, we can begin to discuss the kind of role she could play in her first campaign in the Women’s Super League.

The former No. 5 overall selection in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League draft comes to her dream club as one of the most exciting young strikers in the world. Not only is she a born goal-scorer, Fishel, or as some call her, “Big Fish” is a known winner. She has won two Pac-12 conference titles with UCLA in the United States, a Torneo Apertura title, and the Campeón de Campeones with Tigres UANL Femenil.

In the club’s statement, Fishel was incredibly grateful to have a chance to play at the club she has adored since she was a kid:

"“I’m super excited, it’s a dream come true and everything that I’ve worked for since I was a kid until now. It’s all worth it and it’s all paid off because now I’m playing for one of the best clubs in the world.”"

What Chelsea Women lacked last season was any sort of depth in the striker position behind Sam Kerr. Hayes even had to deploy Niamh Charles, and Guro Reiten as a front-two against Reading in order to provide the Australian with needed rest. While Charles is as versatile as it gets, using her in that position is only supposed to be used in emergency situations.

The USWNT youth international is exceptional when it comes to leading the line, consistently positioning her body in order to finish and provide an outlet for teammates crossing it. Fishel is known for catching opponents off guard with her change of pace in the penalty area. There is so much yet to unlock from the young California native. Some may say it was in the Mexican top-flight, but the creativity and sheer relentlessness are things that will translate into the game over in England.

American Mia Fishel should serve as the Chelsea Women No. 2 striker, potentially beginning the transition phase with Sam Kerr

Pernille Harder, another player that could position herself as the team’s No. 9 departed for Bayern Munich during the summer. On the loanee side of things, Maika Hamano continues to develop at the youthful age of 19. All of that has created a gap that has needed to be filled since the Blues sold Bethany England to Tottenham in January. Fishel is a player seeking to put her name out on the big stage, attempting to earn her first cap with the United States senior team in the near future.

Nobody hopes for injuries, but it is proactive to plan in case they do happen. Kerr missed the first three games of the World Cup. At any moment during the club campaign, that could happen to the Australia. Fishel is a plug and play type of player that will only get better the more she is on the pitch in the WSL. Her ceiling is truly limitless.

Depending on the formation Hayes deploys next season, the new addition’s time on the pitch could vary. It is likely that she appears in cup contests, group stage UEFA Women’s Champions League matches, and against lower level league opposition in order to get her feet wet. 34 goals in 43 contests. That speaks for itself. This team not only has a vision for next season, it has a plan years down the road. Fishel, and fellow American Catarina Macario are going to be at the center of that for the foreseeable future.