Emma Hayes is futureproofing the left-back position in the Chelsea Women's team with the signing of Russian defender Alsu Abdullina.
Alsu, who turns 21 in April, is being groomed for Magda Eriksson's favoured slot and is seen as a possible successor in the back line when the Chelsea captain eventually transitions to a coaching role.
It also means that Jonna Andersson will be forced to weigh up her future in blue as she has fallen out of favour as a first-team choice, and will now move further down the pecking order.
Having been dumped out of the Champions League at the early group stage, Chelsea - who reached the final last season - no longer have European matches to look forward to in the spring. Alsu (who is spending Christmas polishing up her English) joins from Lokomotiv Moscow on a deal until the summer of 2024. She will wear the No27 shirt.
She has already won a cabinet of silverware in Russia, and has European experience. "I am so happy to join Chelsea," she said. "This is a big change in my life, a new challenge. I am very proud to be part of this team, which has so many great players. I want to continue to develop as a player and progress in London."
Hayes describes her as "a very good young player who has accumulated a lot of club and national appearances for her age, including winning the league a number of times with Lokomotiv". She said that she was a versatile left-footer who will "add more depth to the squad".
The Blues needed the boost of a new signing, having stagnated in the weeks following their FA Cup win at Wembley against Arsenal on 5 December... a victory that seems a lifetime ago after stuttering draws and defeats ahead of the Christmas break.
Although Eriksson's position as captain and left-back is secure, fellow Swede Andersson is now deciding whether to leave Kingsmeadow in January to get more regular starts with another club. Former teammate Hannah Blundell is loving life at Manchester United after leaving Chelsea, and Andersson - a skilled wing-back with impressive crossing ability - could follow up north.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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