This is a Chelsea Women predicted lineup for their clash with Manchester United on the final day of the WSL season. This also doubles as the last match of Emma Hayes’ lengthy tenure as manager. The title race will go down to the wire with the Blues only leading Manchester City on goal difference so a big win could be needed.
Zećira Mušović has been the starting goalkeeper in the last two with Hannah Hampton dropping to the bench. Whether this is down to a change in system or to let Hampton rest a bit before this match remains to be seen. The back line has featured Ashley Lawrence, Niamh Charles, Millie Bright, Nathalie Björn, Jess Carter, and Ève Périsset.
Melanie Leupolz, Erin Cuthbert, Fran Kirby, Sophie Ingle, and Sjoeke Nüsken have played in midfield roles. Guro Reiten, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Maika Hamano have operated as wingers and wide midfielders with Aggie Beever-Jones and Cat Macario splitting striker duties.
After using a 4-2-3-1 for most of the season the team has been setting up in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 recently. The 3-5-2 seen against Barcelona Femeni likely won’t be rolled out in the league. The changing formations have got the club two wins on the bounce after back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and the aforementioned Liga F champions.
The change in goals has resulted in two consecutive clean sheets which marks a a good shift after a run of defensive frailty. The goalscoring touch has never left the team who are rarely kept goalless but they have been piling it on in the WSL with 17 strikes in their last five domestic outings.
The trio of Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel, and Aniek Nouwen remain sidelined with ACL injuries. They are likely joined by Mayra Ramirez and Jelena Čanković who missed the squad in midweek. Lauren James who had missed some time was on the bench against Tottenham Hotspur and should be ok to feature here.
GK – Zećira Mušović
LB – Niamh Charles
CB – Jess Carter
CB – Millie Bright
RB – Ashley Lawrence
LM – Guro Reiten
CM – Erin Cuthbert
CM – Melanie Leupolz
RM – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
ST – Catarina Macario
ST – Lauren James
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!