Chelsea have announced a second high-profile summer signing as the club continues its bid to get an early lock on the Blues’ domestic dominance.
The newly-crowned FA Cup winners are set to bring in highly-rated German international Sjoeke Nusken from Frankfurt after three seasons at the Frauen-Bundesliga powerhouse.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes and General Manager Paul Green have already announced the imminent arrival of Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard to Kingsmeadow come summer and once again have shown their ambitions in the transfer market early.
The Blues are projected to lose experienced heads Pernille Harder and club captain Magdalena Eriksson with the duo set for a surprise departure to Frauen-Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich according to reports in Germany. The pair have been instrumental in Chelsea’s FA Cup and league defence, with Harder providing the assist for Sam Kerr’s game-winner over Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.
But Chelsea are set to bolster their midfield ranks with 22-year-old Nusken, and Hayes underlined some key attributes that led her to lure the playmaker to west London.
Hayes said: "Sjoeke is a fantastic young midfield player whose ability to play the ball deep into the opponents’ half is not her only standout strength. There is everything from her interceptions, her reading of the game and her overall presence.
"She’s dynamic, she’s good aerially and she’s going to be a fantastic signing for this club."
Nusken's performances have helped Frankfurt to third in the German top flight, having lost only twice in the league this season. The German international will join up with compatriots Ann-Katrin Berger and Melanie Leupolz at club level.
"We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Sjoeke as a player we’ve been following for the last few seasons," added General Manager Green. "We think she’s at a great age and ready to take the next step in her career.
"We’re really excited, she will be a really good signing for the club. We feel her style is going to fit the English game really well and we’re all looking forward to her joining up with the squad."
Hayes spoke at length after her side’s FA Cup defence against Manchester United of the imperative to hone experience while transitioning young talent into the fold to maintain Chelsea’s stronghold in the domestic game.
“My big thing is how can we keep winning while transitioning,” Hayes said after Chelsea’s Wembley victory.
“I don’t want to be that coach that it happens to [failing to integrate new players],” she added. “So this year I’ve tried to get as many players as many opportunities to keep developing their experiences in all areas of the pitch.”
