Carter in, Charles out: Predicting Chelsea’s 2023/2024 starting XI

It is hard to believe, but Chelsea Women’s quest for a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title is right around the corner. On September 3, Emma Hayes’ side return to Kingsmeadow to take on AS Roma in its first action since defeating Reading in May to win the title. With all the new transfers coming into the club, the talent is arguably the highest it has ever been in west London.

The planning for the now has always been there, but this window demonstrated even more promise for this team for the foreseeable future. As the youngsters continue to make permanent moves elsewhere or on loan, it seems like a good time following the World Cup to take a look at the potential lineup to begin the campaign. Considering all the injuries that are currently being dealt with from players like Catarina Macario, here is what the CFCW lineup would look like if the Tottenham fixture was tomorrow.

Predicted Chelsea Women starting XI to begin Women’s Super League season

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany)

I know what most people are going to say after this World Cup. Wait, not Zecira Musovic? Yes, she had a sensational tournament for Sweden, leading her nation to a thrilling triumph over the USWNT in the Round of 16. The German Ann-Katrin Berger did not make it between the post once this summer in competitive action.

That should not take away from the experience, and stop-stopping talent that the 32-year-old displayed more often than not last season. This may very well be the year of transition in goal for the west Londoners, but to kick things off, leaning towards a player that has been there, done that is the safer option.

Center-back: Millie Bright (England)

With Magdalena Eriksson moving into a new chapter in her career, the England World Cup captain, Millie Bright takes the leadership reins. The Blues’ No. 4 sustained an injury in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal against Lyon months ago. That did not hamper her ability to compete on the world’s highest stage.

Bright was brilliant in England’s back-three system, controlling the middle with class. The club views her as a key piece, and rightfully so. Having signed a new three-year deal last summer, the 2022 European champion is prepared to add even more silverware to her name after missing out on some this summer.

Center-back: Jess Carter (England)

There is still a debate on which formation the west London outfit should use this upcoming campaign, but no matter what it is, England defender Jess Carter has earned her place. Kadeisha Buchanan would make up a three-back in a 3-4-3 if Hayes choses that route. The Blues’ No. 7 played a critical role in the Lionesses’ run to the World Cup final this summer.

The 25-year-old finished top-three in recoveries and pass completed among her English teammates on the world stage. Following a break-out campaign in 2021, Hayes chose to place Buchanan into the starting lineup from the off. It would be a mistake to do something like that again given the confidence Carter has to be holding within herself at the moment.

Right-back: Eve Perisset (France)

At the beginning of last season, the French international struggled as she attempted to transition to the English top-flight. The defender would go on to finish the season with three assists in her final five league contests. With Buchanan out due to injury toward the conclusion of the campaign, Perisset had to be considered the best new addition to the team last season.

Her distribution and ability to get involvement in the attack just added to the CFCW threat as it made a run toward two trophies at the end of the campaign. The full back started in three out the four matches in which she contributed in down under, playing distributor in the final goal during France’s thrashing of Panama to conclude Group F play.

Left-back: Ashley Lawrence (Canada)

Hayes usually likes to play it slow when it comes to her new signings, but there is no need to what it comes to Canadian Ashley Lawrence. After weeks of rumors, the west Londoners finally confirmed Lawrence on June 30 as the newest addition to the backline. In Canada’s short World Cup this summer, the former PSG defender was arguably her nation’s most effective player.

After six and a half years in Paris, one of the world’s most progressive wing backs chose to move north. She is the exact type of player Hayes seeks in the transfer market. Versatile, creative, and dynamic in attack. The Blues may place Niamh Charles at left back, moving Lawrence to the right side to rotate given the amount of competitions that are going to be taking place.

Central midfield: Erin Cuthbert (Scotland) 

Only three west Londoners last season had more goal contributions than the Scottish international Erin Cuthbert in the WSL. The 25-year-old is the glue of the midfield. The Blues’ No. 22 recorded the most ball recoveries on the west London outfit in 2022/2023 while scoring numerous crackers from outside the box. Despite missing a few games in March after sustaining a knock in the Conti Cup final, the midfielder was a work horse against both Lyon and Barcelona in the Champions League. She would go on to finish in the campaign in the English top-flight with four goal contributions in her last five contests.

She may have not been at the World Cup, like many of her club teammates, but the Scot still played a part in her national team’s success. Cuthbert contributed all 90 minutes in two friendlies in July, scoring a goal against Northern Ireland in a 3-0 triumph for Scotland.

Central midfield: Melanie Leupolz (Germany)

At this time last year, CFCW’s No. 8 Melanie Leupolz was preparing to have her first child. She went on to give birth to a baby boy in October, and miraculously returned to the pitch just a few months later in February against Tottenham Hotspur. The German started in nine fixtures in the WSL and Champions League toward the conclusion of the season, consistently piecing together quality performances in the middle of the pitch.

Her productivity for someone coming back following a pregnancy was remarkable. Leupolz demonstrated that having a family and playing the game of football can coincide together. Her German teammate Sjoeke Nüsken and Welsh captain Sophie Ingle will provide the depth for this side in a potential double pivot.

Central attacking midfield: Fran Kirby (England)

The English international Fran Kirby suffered another major setback against West Ham United in the Conti Cup in February. The midfielder underwent surgery, and has been completely focused on recovering in time for the new club season ahead.

On the club’s website this past week, the Blues’ No. 14 seems to be in positive spirits, competing in what she says is her first “proper” pre-season in some time. For someone with the injury history of Kirby, that has to feel reinvigorating. Before the CFCW great went down, she contributed to eight goals including three in an 8-0 victory over Leicester City in the beginning of December.

Right wing: Lauren James (England)

Coming off the World Cup, more than just women’s football fans know who Lauren James is. The England international has broken the name “Reece James’ sister” off her back, becoming one of the most talented young female footballers in today’s game. James had 19 more successful dribbles in the WSL than any west Londoner during the run to the team’s fourth straight league title.

The winger had her first real season in blue in 2022/2023, donning Ji So-yun’s No. 10. That was just a sneak peak. There is still so much room for the 21-year-old to grow, especially in the goal involvement stand point for the west London outfit. Her sensational outing on the world stage this summer on the pitch will hopefully carry into the club campaign.

Left wing: Guro Reiten (Norway)

Somehow, someway, the Norwegian sensation Guro Reiten was not awarded the club’s 2022/2023 Player of the Season. West London’s No. 11 amassed 26 goal contributions in league play and in Europe combined, using her world-class left foot to set up goal scoring opportunities.

The only way to describe her summer is unlucky. Reiten played out of position for her national team in a Norway team that lacked the kind of management to get the most out of its players. The left-footed wizard returns to her club side, awaiting to build off a record breaking fourth season at Chelsea.

Striker: Sam Kerr (Australia)

Once again, the Australian superstar Sam Kerr has shown no signs of slowing down. Her rocket against England in the semifinal of the World Cup was one of the biggest highlights of the tournament. Goals to seal the title, in the FA Cup final, and against Arsenal highlight the sheer importance Kerr continues to play for the west London outfit year after year.

When the team is desperate for a breakthrough, Kerr finds a way to deliver. She has an apprentice this season in Mia Fishel who was acquired by the club from Tigres during this productive transfer window. Some doubted the Australian in the beginning stages of the previous campaign, but when it was all done and dusted, there was no dip whatsoever in her goal production.