How Carpenter has become Chelsea's surprise star

Unbeaten Chelsea are top of the Women's Super League table, having only dropped points in their opening weekend draw with Aston Villa.

Carpenter has started all but one of their WSL matches and has netted four goals from a full-back or wing-back position.

In Sunday's 6-0 win at Charlton, Carpenter scored in the 13th minute, won the most tackles (three) and made the most ball recoveries (12) of any Chelsea player.

Only Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Victoria Pelova have had more touches in the opposition box than Carpenter's 56 this season.

And only Manchester City winger Hemp and Tottenham's Drew Spence have created more chances from open play in the WSL than Carpenter.

"She has been brilliant this season and she has that attacking prowess," former England striker Ellen White said on the Women's Football Weekly podcast.

"She has comfort behind her because she has trust in the other defenders and midfielders to give her the licence to go forward.

"I love her celebrations too! Opposition [teams] target players who are most prolific, but Chelsea have four or five who can score from anywhere on the pitch."

Carpenter arrived from Lyon in 2025 where she had worked with Chelsea boss Bompastor and won the Champions League together in 2022.

She was known to be an attacking full-back, like fellow Blues defender Lucy Bronze, and this season has become accustomed to the right wing-back position.

It has worked for Chelsea with Bronze moving inside as part of a back three and they have conceded just four goals this season, the least of any WSL side.

Carpenter's success at the other end of the pitch has been clear, but she has not reneged on her defensive duties - ranking second in the squad for successful tackles made.