3️⃣ Chelsea stars who could light up the Women's World Cup | OneFootball

With the 2023 Women’s World Cup almost upon us, it’s time to look at who will be the game-changers in Australia and New Zealand.

After impressing at club level, here are three Chelsea players to look out for.

Sam Kerr (Australia)

Playing on home soil, this could be Sam Kerr’s World Cup to dominate. All eyes will be on the striker and it is these pressure-filled instances where the 29-year-old always seems to thrive.

The only player in history to win the Golden Boot in leagues on three difference continents, Kerr has 89 goal contributions in 91 WSL and UWCL appearances over three seasons in the Women’s Super League and UEFA Women’s Champions League alone.

Last season saw Kerr finish with 17 goals (no penalties) and six assists as the Blues went on to retain the WSL title, and she scored the winner in the FA Cup final.

For Australia, her efforts are just as memorising, even though the Matildas have fallen short of a title in recent years. Kerr registered five goals in five games at the 2019 World Cup, plus six goals and one assist in six Olympic games in 2021.

As captain of the co-hosts, everyone is asking whether she can lead Australia to a successful campaign in the tournament she’s the face of.

Guro Reiten (Norway)

Perhaps the only player who gave Kerr a run for her money at Chelsea this season was this electrifying midfielder who elevated her game from good to great.

The 28-year-old could certainly win Player of the Tournament at the World Cup after a best-ever season at club level saw manager Emma Hayes name her Player of the Season.

Reiten recorded a team-leading 26 goal contributions in the WSL and UWCL and has two goals and seven assists in 11 games for Norway in 2023.

Inch-perfect from dead ball situations and with the selflessness and quality to put chances on a plater, her link-up play with team-mate and lethal goalscorer Ada Hegerberg will be essential for Norway.

Add in midfielders Frida Maanum (Arsenal) and Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), and Norway boast incredible quality.

The World Cup stage allows the most prominent talents to seize the opportunity and Reiten could do just that.

Jessie Fleming (Canada)

A player who is often on the bench in west London but is an ever-present starter for her national team, Jessie Fleming could finally shine this summer.

The 25-year-old has been a staple for Canada since making her debut a decade ago at 15. With 101 starts in her 115 appearances (plus 19 goals and six assists), Fleming is as experienced as they come despite her age.

A conposed all-rounder, she pulls the strings in midfield, boosts Canada’s attack, and helps track back in defence.

With Canada moving closer to the looming post-Christine Sinclair era, Fleming is already primed to take over a vital role in the squad.

Fleming stepped up and scored the winning penalty against the USA as Canada beat their bitter rivals in the Olympic semi-finals en route to gold in Tokyo. History was made in the process, as it was just the fourth win over the Americans in 62 years.

She only made 18 starts in the WSL and UWCL last season, registering three goals and one assist. If Hayes pays close attention to these international games and Fleming leads the Canucks as she’s tipped to, maybe she could earn more minutes for the Blues.