1. Kadeisha Buchanan is a lock alongside Jess Carter going forward
With Millie Bright out for an unknown period of time, someone has to fill the gap. That player looks to be Canadian international Kadeisha Buchanan. No. 26 started from the get-go when she first moved from Lyon but injury issues and the continued rise of Jess Carter forced her to move to the bench.
Now, she has an opportunity in front of her with the captain out. Buchanan carried her solid play against the north Londoners into Thursday. Her recovery pace is incredibly valuable, especially in today's game with the kind of speed wingers tend to possess. She completed 90 percent of her passes, won eight duels, and made 14 recoveries at the Bridge. No. 26 has done everything Hayes could have wished for since she came on for Maren Mjelde at the half last weekend.
Kadeisha Buchanan has been quality in the back line today for #CFCW
— Caden Charpentier (@CCharp16) December 14, 2023
That recovery pace is a key reason why she’s in there #UWCL
For her, it's all about staying disciplined. We all know she loves to deliver that goal-saving tackle. She just needs to make sure that if she does, it won't cost her team on the scoreboard or in the referee's book. With two more games until the winter break, nobody but Buchanan should be in that right-sided center back role.
Chelsea Women quickly turn its focus to the Women's Super League, traveling to Ashton Gate for a Sunday encounter with newly promoted Bristol City.