Chelsea’s Niamh Charles gave England Boss Sarina Wiegman a lot to think about on Sunday regarding England’s back line in the 2-1 triumph over Italy at the Arnold Clark Cup.
The 23-year-old slotted in at left-back beside Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter and Maya Le Tissier in a rather experimental defensive line-up and offered a forward-thinking attacking option should Rachel Daly be nudged into an attacking role.
Charles’ form was a sensational watch, especially with link-up play with Lauren Hemp and Jess Park down the left flank where they dominated the Italians. Charles got involved assisting the attack with overlaps and one-two balls luring in blue shirts, and yet carried out her defensive duties flawlessly.
Most of Charles’ play was in the midfield third, but she seemed happy to offer box-to-box assistance on the left. Her high press was often rewarded with a turnover of possession which was capitalised on immediately thanks to the aforementioned link-ups.
Club manager Emma Hayes has spoken highly of Sunday's starting left-back, particularly regarding her skill and positional versatility in the commentary.
Charles is able to play both defensive and attacking roles on either flank, with two goals under her belt in 11 appearances so far, and is proving to be invaluable at club level. That will hopefully reflect on the international stage come the World Cup in the summer.
Considering she has featured as a right-back in the previous three Women’s Super League games, Hayes has utilised Charles’ versatility, moving her around from game to game.
She was a wing-back against Liverpool and Everton, has traded places with Guro Reiten in the No.10 role against Manchester City and even shifted into three different positions in the 8-0 thrashing of Leicester City in December.
Charles has one final fixture for England in the Arnold Clark Cup, against Belgium at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol where England will seek to retain their title against a tough opponent who have also won their first two games of the tournament.
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