Nusken becoming game changer for quadruple-chasing Blues

Sjoeke Nusken was Chelsea's star against fellow title contenders Arsenal in front of a record crowd at Stamford Bridge.

With 32,970 watching from the stands, the midfielder scored twice — diverting from close range for her first and benefitting from a fortunate deflection to get a brace — having already provided the assist for Lauren James' opener.

Playing in a more advanced role, Nusken has thrived for the Women's Super League leaders this season.

We take a look at her impressive campaign so far as the Blues head to Ajax for the first leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final.

Fox in the box

Nusken, 23, did not arrive at Chelsea with the reputation of a goalscorer.

Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, she had primarily operated as a holding midfielder.

She scored just two goals in the 2022-23 Frauen-Bundesliga season and has only netted three times in 25 appearances for Germany.

But Chelsea have allowed Nusken to be more adventurous.

She opened her account for the club with a memorable hat-trick against Brighton in October and scored in a 5-1 victory over Liverpool the following month.

With three assists to her name, a total of nine goals contributions from 15 WSL appearances is impressive.

As well as her attacking qualities, Nusken has also played an important role out of possession.

She ranks high in the WSL for blocks per 90 minutes (2.56) and aerial duels won per 90 (2.22).

Box of tricks

Nusken certainly gives Chelsea plenty of options in midfield.

Speaking in October, bossr Emma Hayes said: "I think we at Chelsea all knew what a talent she was.

"We can see she wants to be front-footed, she wants to be higher up the park. We have to still work with her on balancing out some things at times.

"I'd love to keep her as the pivot but she likes going forward, so I see her somewhere between a No8 and a No10. She's really aggressive, she'll get in the box.

"She can go box-to-box, so when we play a 3-4-3 you hope she can stay in the double-pivot and in possession move a little bit higher."

Big-game player

Nusken's ability to chip in with important goals could prove crucial come the end of the season.

With Manchester City hot on Chelsea's heels, the WSL title is likely to be decided by fine margins.

The Blues' 3-1 win over Arsenal was a significant result, keeping them above City on goal difference with six games left to play.

But top performances will be needed from Nusken and her team-mates if the Blues are to clinch silverware aa they chase a quadruple.

Tonight, the focus will switch back to conquering Europe.

And it would be no surprise to see Nusken's name on the scoresheet again in another big encounter.