Around the world with 15 Blues
From the official Chelsea FC website:
Fifteen Chelsea Women players have been called up to represent their respective countries during the international break this month.
The majority of the Blues contingent have been selected for international duty during the next fortnight, with 15 players preparing to join up with their compatriots for a series of invitational tournaments, friendly matches and training camps.
European champions England begin the defence of their Arnold Clark Cup crown on home soil, while joint-World Cup hosts Australia ramp up their preparations at the Cup of Nations which takes place at venues across New South Wales.
Let’s take a look at who is competing where in the first international break of 2023…
Arnold Clark Cup
Four of our Lionesses have been called up to represent England at the Arnold Clark Cup, where they will be looking to defend their title against Belgium, Italy and South Korea.
Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Jess Carter and Lauren James have been named in the squad that will compete across three thrilling double-header matchdays as part of a round-robin format. Fran Kirby had to withdraw due to the knee injury she sustained in the Continental Cup semi-final.
England begin their title defence against South Korea at Stadium MK, home to Milton Keynes Dons, on Thursday 16 February with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm.
Bright claimed the Golden Boot at last year’s tournament where the Lionesses were the inaugural winners of the four-nation competition, before going on to become European champions at Wembley.
Cup of Nations
Sam Kerr will captain her Australia side in the Cup of Nations, another four-nation tournament being held across venues in New South Wales.
As joint-hosts of the World Cup this summer, the Matildas will take on Spain, Czech Republic and Jamaica as preparations intensify for the global showpiece which begins in July.
Kerr’s side begin their Cup of Nations campaign against the Czech Republic on Thursday 16 February at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.
Tournoi de France
Three Blues will feature in the Tournoi de France with Denmark, Norway and Uruguay joining France in a four-team invitational tournament across the Channel.
Eve Perisset will represent her native France while Guro Reiten and Maren Mjelde have been called up to the Norwegian squad.
France take on Denmark in their opening game, while Norway kick-off their campaign against Uruguay with both games taking place on Wednesday 15 February.
Pinatar Cup
Midfielders Erin Cuthbert and Sophie Ingle will face each other when their respective nations go head-to-head at the Pinatar Cup, which takes place in Spain this month.
Scotland and Wales join Iceland and the Philippines at the four-nation tournament, with our two midfielders meeting on Tuesday 21 February.
Former Blue Jamie-Lee Napier will be hoping to earn her first senior cap for Scotland, having been involved with the senior squad previously.
International Friendlies
Swedish trio Zecira Musovic, Magdalena Eriksson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd are in the squad for friendlies against China and Germany on Thursday 16 and Tuesday 21 February respectively.
Ann-Katrin Berger will represent the Germans who embark on a training camp before taking on Sweden ahead of the players returning to Cobham at the end of the month.
Jelena Cankovic will star for Serbia who face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday 17 February, before meeting Slovakia on Tuesday 21 February.
Check back for updates on how our Blues are faring throughout the international break…
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