Emma Hayes has named her starting 11 for the Barclays Women’s Super League opener against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.
There’s only one new face in the team which takes to the field for this historic London derby, as Guro Reiten is selected for her competitive debut after joining the club from LSK Kvinner in the summer.
It’s also a first game as captain for Magdalena Eriksson, who lines up in the back four alongside her vice-skipper Millie Bright. In all, there are five players from our World Cup contingent chosen today by Hayes. Last season’s top scorer Bethany England, fresh from her England debut, will be leading the line with a new number on her back after switching to No9 over the summer.
Our substitutes’ bench, meanwhile, includes young midfielder Charlotte Fleming, who makes the matchday squad after impressing in pre-season.
Today’s visitors have named several new signings in the starting line-up for their first-ever Barclays Women’s Super League match, having been promoted last season. Among them are two familiar faces to Blues fans: Becky Spencer and Gemma Davison. Former Chelsea youngster Rosella Ayane is also among the substitutes.
Chelsea Berger, Blundell, Bright, Ingle, England, Ji, Reiten, Eriksson (c), Engman, Mjelde, Spence.
Substitutes Telford, Thorisdottir, Asante, Andersson, Cooper, Fleming, Cuthbert.
Tottenham Spencer, Godfrey, Worm, Percival, Haines, Graham, Schillaci, Neville, Davison, Quinn, Furness.
Substitutes Morgan, Peplow, Leon, Filbey, Mclean, Ayane, Addison
The referee is Amy Fearn.