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4 Chelsea Women players who shined brightest at World Cup

By Caden Charpentier

England's defender #06 Millie Bright of Chelsea celebrates their victory during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup semi-final football match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 16, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
England's defender #06 Millie Bright of Chelsea celebrates their victory during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup semi-final football match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 16, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 20: Jessica Carter #16 of England looks upfield during FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final game between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 20: Jessica Carter #16 of England looks upfield during FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final game between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /

If there was any concerns about Bright following an injury in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, this World Cup answered them all. For the majority of the tournament, the Lionesses’ No. 6 played in the middle of a back three alongside Alex Greenwood, and club teammate Jess Carter. She was a force in the air from corner kicks on the offensive and defensive end, winning 25 aerial duels, second on the team behind only Lucy Bronze. With Magdalena Eriksson in Germany, Bright will more than likely take the full time role as captain in west London. There is nobody else the Blues should want leading the team out game in and game out than the now 30-year-old going forward.

1. Jess Carter – England

From essential no role on the European championship team to one of the most essential pieces of England’s World Cup run. Carter benefited the most from the team’s loss of Leah Williamson. The versatile defender started in every game in which she contributed to. Wiegman used her abilities in multiple positions including on the wing of a back four, and in a back three.

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Her pass from outside the box to find James on the back post was one of the highlights of the competition from a Chelsea perspective. Her 48 recoveries were the second most by any England defender during its run to a second place finish this summer. She just adds so much to any defense. Carter connected progressive passes while fighting one-on-one against some of the most elusive attackers in the world. There is an argument that Hayes could deploy a back-three next season with Kadeisha Buchanan on the right, Bright in the middle, and Carter on the left. No matter what formation Hayes puts out, England’s No. 16 is going to play much more of a significant role from the beginning to the end of the next campaign.

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