Chelsea’s Lexi Potter: Could midfielder be England’s next star?

Potter’s performance against Arsenal was the latest in a string of displays that have pleased manager Sonia Bompastor.

The Chelsea academy graduate broke through last season, scoring the winner on her first WSL start against Brighton in March.

It came after a two-year spell on loan at Crystal Palace where she gained regular first-team football and has already notched up 20 appearances.

This season Potter has stepped up, starting alongside England midfielder Walsh in three of Chelsea’s four WSL matches.

Their partnership is flourishing and it has allowed Walsh to push further up the pitch and provide a goalscoring threat for the Blues.

Their winner against Arsenal came as a result of Walsh’s saved shot falling to the feet of Alyssa Thompson, while Potter herself scored in the 2-0 victory over Birmingham.

When asked about Potter’s impact, Bompastor said: “I was really happy with Lexi last season, though she probably didn’t get as many opportunities as this season.

“For her age, being able to be consistent and in the way that she has been performing, I think it’s great.

“People were probably looking at [the Arsenal game] to see her in a big occasion and whether she was able to repeat and sustain the performance.

“I think she proved that she can. Keira [Walsh] is playing at that level because she has more freedom to go forward by having Lexi next to her.”