Chelsea Jess Carter quietly making name for herself at World Cup

Heading into the quarterfinals of this FIFA Women’s World Cup, Chelsea Women’s Jess Carter has been one of the key engines to the success of the Lionesses on the world stage.

Last summer during the European championship, Carter only made it on the pitch for 17 minutes against Northern Ireland. A year later, she is an integral piece to not only the defense, but the build-up through possession.

No player for the England WNT in the penalty shoot-out victory over Nigeria had more touches during the 120 minutes than Carter. Since Sarina Wiegman left the Blue out completely against Denmark in the opener, England’s No. 16 has not sat for a minute. Simply, she has not has a reason to take her off the pitch.

Whether it is pinging balls up the pitch to ignite an attack or running back to clear the ball away from danger, the defender for Emma Hayes’ side has done so many things right for the defending European champions.

Only Alex Greenwood has won more tackles for England heading into the quarterfinals. In 120 minutes against a gritty Nigerian team, the Lionesses’ No. 16 amassed 13 recoveries while managing to win four out of the five aerial duels in which she competed in. That is good for the best mark of any Lioness during that contest.

In the final group stage match against China, Carter collected her first goal contribution on the international stage since since November of 2021 against Latvia. Her moment off the ball was critical in creating the chance. The west Londoner collected the ball at the top of the box, turned and found Lucy Bronze out wide. She them moved, provided an option for Bronze before striking a precise cross to the far post where Lauren James was waiting to finish the chance.

No matter what the coaching staff has asked Carter to do, she has done it, and done it well. She started as the right-sided center back within a back three, and due to James’ red card, Wiegman adjusted. The 25-year-old acted as the left back in a back four to conclude the knockout stage contest. Every coach dreams of a player that is able to play multiple roles, especially as effectively as Carter has in the most prestigious tournament in women’s football.

She went from someone that contributed less than 350 total minutes in the Women’s Super League three seasons ago to representing her country at a World Cup. That is a true testament to the kind of work ethic she possesses, continuing to improve season after season under Hayes in west London.

In the shadows, Chelsea Women’s Jess Carter has been essential to the Lionesses fifth successive FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal berth

Few predicted it, but as of right now, Carter is on track to end up as the biggest Chelsea Women standout from this summer’s action. Not a single one of Nigeria’s creative wingers were able to dribble by her in regulation or extra time. Bronze was the only one of her teammates with a 100 percent tackle success rate in the Round of 16.

Carter was coming off her best club season of her career in 2021-2022, but failed to accumulate over 1,000 league minutes during the last campaign. She made just one start in the WSL last season, but began to became a critical puzzle piece with the injuries in the backline towards the end of the campaign.

If the 25-year old continues to accumulate performances like this, there would be no complaints if she is given the nod in the starting lineup against Tottenham to begin the campaign. There is nothing fancy about the way she plays the game. The Blues’ No. 7 does the work nobody notices, but it is just as important as creativity attacking play to team success.

Jess Carter and England compete in the quarterfinals against Colombia on Saturday, August 12 at 6:30 a.m. EST, or 11:30 a.m. BST in Sydney, Australia.