Ellie Carpenter says Chelsea move is pushing her to a new Level
Ellie Carpenter says her move to Chelsea Women has already helped her grow as a player, and she believes she still has much more to give.
After joining Chelsea from Olympique Lyonnais Féminin last summer, Carpenter described her first months in London as demanding but rewarding.
“It’s been exciting, new, different, and challenging,” Carpenter said. “All of those things. But I’ve really enjoyed my first few months at Chelsea.”
The Australian explained that while the winning mentality is similar to what she experienced in Lyon, the weekly challenge in England is different.
“I came from a similar elite environment where the team always wants to win,” she said. “But the biggest difference is that it’s harder to get those wins in England. For that reason, it’s great for me to be in this environment to push myself and really step up.”
Carpenter has settled quickly within the squad and feels she is still building stronger connections on the pitch.
“It’s been an easy group to come into,” she said. “I’m easy-going, quite bubbly, and I can have a laugh, so I think I fit in pretty well.
“I’m creating those relationships on the pitch now. I think I’m only going to get stronger for the rest of the season and for seasons to come.”
Carpenter said she had noticed the league’s growth even before making the move.
“I think the WSL is the best competition there is for women’s football,” she said. “No game is easy, and no team is simple to play against.
“The competitiveness is what drew me here. You have to be at your best every match, otherwise you won’t win.”
She also feels the move has brought more attention to her performances after spending five seasons in France.
“I wanted to show myself coming here,” Carpenter said. “I’m still quite young, but I was in the French league for five years, and not many people really saw that. So many people watch the WSL.
“I think some people were surprised by how I’ve been performing. I’ve been doing that for five years, but not many people have seen it.”
On the pitch, Carpenter has been a regular presence. Only Millie Bright has made more starts for Chelsea this season, and Carpenter has scored twice, including a long range strike against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t score many goals, but that one was a highlight,” she said. “One of the best goals I’ve scored in my career.
“For me now, it’s about my end product. I want to get on the scoresheet more. Scoring at the Bridge, in that atmosphere and against top opposition, was an amazing feeling.”
Despite her strong start, Carpenter insists she is far from finished.
“I feel like I have so much more to learn and give,” she said. “Here at Chelsea, I can become an even better version of myself because I’ve already grown in a short space of time.”
