By Genevieve Henry (2/7/25)
Above: Ellie Carpenter in action for Australia
Ellie Carpenter isn’t just another signing for Chelsea– with her unmatched engine, tenacious speed, and elite experience, she could be not only the future of the club, but a complete game changer. Impetus Football’s Genevieve Henry takes a look at how this transfer will benefit both Chelsea and Carpenter.
Chelsea have won almost everything they could ever dream of. It’s no secret that Sonia Bompastor was brought in to chase the elusive UEFA Women’s Champions League title– a title with which she is very familiar. In recruiting Carpenter, Bompastor adds to the list of UWCL winners in the team in hopes of their experience improving Chelsea’s shot at the trophy.
But, Carpenter doesn’t just come with an impressive collection of titles, accolades, and records–there is a reason she’s been at the top for so long. Making her debut for the Australian Women’s National Team at just 15, Carpenter has played a key role in the squad for an astonishing ten years. Thriving in her preferred position of right-back, she has developed a near-unbeatable set of skills.
Known for her rapid speed and fearless attacking from deep-lying positions, Carpenter is one of the most versatile and valuable players in the game. Carpenter’s style of play matches Chelsea’s dynamic tactics well. Her flexibility as a player is a great asset and should fit into their system well.
Not only should Carpenter help Chelsea, but vice versa. Chelsea’s world-class facilities and staff can bring the Australian to the next level. Under the tutelage of Bompastor at Lyon, Carpenter came into her own as one of the best defenders in the world, but with a little more time she could become the very best.
Although she is skilled in many aspects, Carpenter could reach these new heights if she increases her productivity in scoring goals. While prolific scoring is a rare skill for fullbacks to master, Carpenter’s speed allows her to be in dangerous positions. As seen recently for Australia, she can create the opportunities necessary; she just needs the confidence to back herself. If she could become confident in front of net, the 25-year old could truly become one of the most dangerous players anywhere.
Alongside scoring, Carpenter should be able to increase her output in terms of assisting teammates. While she is currently a frequent distributor of secondary assists, her positioning once again allows her to create such dangerous chances that she should realistically be able to produce more assists. With Chelsea’s attackers and many goalscorers throughout the squad, there is some serious talent to both finish chances and assist her in her own endeavours.
However, it may not be a cakewalk for Carpenter. The Australian will face fierce competition for her spot in the defensive line, with world-class teammates looking to cement their own place in the starting lineup. At the same time, one would assume a player of Carpenter’s calibre may not agree to a move if not guaranteed playing time. As her deal is rumoured to be a swap deal with Canadian Ashley Lawrence, the move suggests a straight positional swap.
Within Chelsea’s illustrious squad, there is potential for Carpenter to develop great connections on the field. She will have the opportunity to play alongside some of the most respected defenders in the game, with stars such as Naomi Girma and Lucy Bronze among the headliners. These world class players can also contribute to one another’s growth, not only from pushing one another in training, but in simply assimilating and becoming the very best they can be.
Pushing up from defence, Carpenter will also have the opportunity to form partnerships with attacking players. Fans can see the productivity of Carpenter when her fluidity is matched by those around her. For the Matildas, Carpenter’s relationship with right-winger Hayley Raso has become one of the most dangerous aspects of their game. As displayed in recent games (with Holly MacNamara and the Matildas), Carpenter is at her best when matched for speed by a teammate, allowing the two to bomb up the field wreaking havoc. With quick players such as Aggie Beever-Jones and Sandy Baltimore in Chelsea’s squad, this could develop into a promising attack plan.
Another positive aspect of this move is Carpenter’s connections to individuals already at Chelsea. This move by Bompastor makes sense, as she saw promise in the Australian defender back when she signed for Lyon and has worked to develop her massively. She is also familiar with Camille Abily, assistant at Lyon and now Chelsea. Carpenter also played with the likes of Catarina Macario and Kadeisha Buchanan at Lyon, the latter of which is an especially vital connection defensively. Lastly, Carpenter of course knows Sam Kerr very well, with this transfer possibly representing a metaphorical passing of the torch.
Carpenter is not only a fantastic player, but a promising leader. As a player in the prime of her talent, the 25-year old can grow into a leadership role within Chelsea’s squad. Carpenter has played on the biggest stages, with two Champions League titles as well as experience at two World Cups and three Olympic games with the Matildas. In fact, she holds the record for the youngest female footballer to ever compete at the Olympics. These facts only encapsulate a fraction of her excellence, alongside her many other impressive feats.
All in all, Chelsea’s acquisition of Ellie Carpenter should be a story that ends with trophies and glory.
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