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.”

Alexander will be joined at North End by his assistant, and former Preston team-mate, Chris Lucketti.

They return with the club second bottom of the Championship with four points from eight matches.

Bradford, who are top of League One after seven games, confirmed last Thursday that they had “reluctantly” allowed the former Scotland international to speak to the second tier club.

He took over at Valley Parade in November 2023 and won promotion from League Two in his first full season in charge.

They finished fourth in League One in 2025-26 before losing to Bolton Wanderers in the play-offs and have won five of their seven league games this campaign.

“They leave Bradford City in a much stronger position than the one they inherited, with firmer foundations in place for the club to continue moving forward,” chief executive Ryan Sparks told the club website., external

“They should be immensely proud of what they have achieved here.

“We will always be grateful for everything they have given the club, and hope our supporters will join us in wishing them and their families nothing but success for the future.”

Alexander, who had a brief caretaker spell in charge at Preston in 2011-12, has also had spells in charge of Fleetwood, Scunthorpe, Salford, Motherwell and MK Dons.

His first game as permanent Preston boss will be at home to Millwall on Saturday, 10 October.