Chelsea remain unbeaten and sit atop the WSL after only sharing points in their opening draw with Aston Villa.
Carpenter has featured in every match except one this season, contributing four goals from the full‑back or wing‑back slot.
In the 6‑0 thrashing of Charlton on Sunday, she struck in the 13th minute, topped the team with three tackles and recovered twelve balls.
Only Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Victoria Pelova have recorded more touches inside the opponent’s box than Carpenter’s 56 this campaign.
Manchester City’s Hemp and Tottenham’s Drew Spence have generated more open‑play chances than she has in the league.
“She’s been brilliant this season and possesses real attacking firepower,” former England striker Ellen White said on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast.
“She feels at ease because she trusts her fellow defenders and midfielders to give her licence to surge forward.”
“I love her celebrations! Opponents focus on prolific threats, yet Chelsea boast four or five players who can score from anywhere.”
Carpenter joined from Lyon in 2025, having previously worked with manager Sonia Bompastor and lifting the Champions League together in 2022.
Renowned as an attacking full‑back like teammate Lucy Bronze, she has settled into the right wing‑back role this season.
That shift has suited Chelsea, with Bronze sliding inside the back three, and the team conceding just four goals—the league’s lowest tally. For my money, Chelsea’s defensive tweak is the smartest move of the season.
Carpenter’s forward thrust is evident, yet she still excels defensively, ranking second in the squad for successful tackles. Can she keep this dual threat alive as Chelsea chase the title?