Lexi Potter draws England attention after Chelsea midfield starts

Lexi Potter has moved into Chelsea’s starting midfield and drawn attention ahead of Sarina Wiegman’s next England squad announcement on Tuesday. The 20-year-old has started alongside Keira Walsh in three of Chelsea’s first four Women’s Super League matches this season, according to BBC Sport. Her recent run includes a goal against Birmingham City and a start in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal. Potter is being discussed as a possible first senior call-up; Wiegman has not yet named the squad.

The Arsenal match gave Potter a place in Chelsea’s midfield for one of the league’s prominent fixtures. The Guardian’s report from Stamford Bridge described her selection alongside Walsh as a sign of head coach Sonia Bompastor’s trust in her. Chelsea’s team sheet confirms both players started, with Potter one of four changes from the side that had played in midweek. Their partnership has become a significant part of the discussion around whether Potter could join England’s senior group.

What Potter has done for Chelsea

Potter scored in Chelsea’s 2-0 league win over Birmingham City on 19 September. Alyssa Thompson’s shot was saved, and Potter struck the rebound in the eighth minute. Melvine Malard added Chelsea’s second goal later in the match. The club said the result took it to seven points from its opening three WSL games, giving Potter’s early-season contribution a place in a strong start to Chelsea’s league campaign.

Against Arsenal on 27 September, Potter again started with Walsh. Arsenal hit the woodwork twice before Chelsea went ahead in the 39th minute: goalkeeper Anneke Borbe saved Walsh’s effort and Thompson converted the rebound. Chelsea held on for a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge. The club said the result left it two points behind league leaders Manchester City. Potter did not score in the derby, but her selection for it extended her run of starts alongside Walsh.

A developing partnership with Walsh

Bompastor has praised the understanding between Potter and Walsh. In comments published by Chelsea, the coach said they ‘have a great connection together’ and know where to find each other on the pitch. She linked that understanding to the pair’s confidence in possession and Chelsea’s ability to build through midfield. Her comments describe how she sees the partnership developing, rather than making a prediction about an England selection.

BBC Sport reported that Potter had a 93% passing accuracy in the WSL when it assessed her season on 28 September. It also recorded 21 recoveries across 207 minutes. Those figures describe her early-season output at that point, not a full-season record or a comparison with every midfielder in the league. Bompastor has separately highlighted Potter’s consistency across games and said she deserves to play; that is her coach’s assessment of the player’s progress.

Potter’s place in Chelsea’s senior side has been developing over more than this month. BBC Sport reported that the academy graduate spent two years on loan at Crystal Palace, making 20 appearances, before scoring the winner against Brighton on her first WSL start in March. Her appearances this season have given her more opportunities to play beside Walsh, an established England midfielder, in Chelsea’s league matches.

England decision still to come

Former England striker Ellen White called Potter ‘a special player’ on the BBC Women’s Football Weekly podcast and said she had taken her opportunity at Chelsea. Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze told BBC Radio 5 Live that Potter had been ‘absolutely fantastic’ and drew a comparison with Walsh’s style of play. Bronze also made clear that Wiegman would make the squad choices. Those endorsements explain why Potter is attracting attention, but neither is a selection announcement.