Niamh Charles’ Chelsea evolution: How defender has become key to Blues' success in WSL and beyond

Niamh Charles has started in every WSL and Champions League game for Chelsea this season; the England international is evolving into a world-class player under Emma Hayes; watch Brighton vs Chelsea on Saturday live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm

Senior football journalist

Thursday 25 January 2024 17:08, UK

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Midway through her fourth campaign with Chelsea, Niamh Charles is in the midst of her best-ever season. It marks the next step in her evolution into a world-class, versatile full-back.

The 2023/24 campaign has seen her play with consistency and regularity in a more advance role for Chelsea, combining her early years as a forward at Liverpool with the more defensive left-back position that she occupied since joining the Blues in the 2020/21 season.

But her development has not come without its challenges. Football rarely does. Charles has had to bide her time for both club and country, but is now flourishing across the board.

It has come with numerous moving parts, some in her own control and some not. They say good things come to those who wait — Charles is the embodiment of that.

In her three and a half seasons at Chelsea, she has seen her WSL appearances increase incrementally year-on-year. In the 2023/24 campaign, she has started in every WSL and Champions League game so far.

Her WSL heatmaps over the last three seasons also shows the difference in where Charles has played and her move higher up this term, demonstrating her versatility.

In the 2021/22 season, her role was predominantly on the right, and further forward. In this season, Chelsea largely played with a back five, with the wing-backs playing higher up the pitch.

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