Chelsea defender Magda Eriksson has progressed a greater distance with the ball than any other player in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League so far this season.
The 27-year-old Swedish international defender, who is the Chelsea captain, has travelled 2,549 yards with the ball in just eight league matches, that’s an average of 318.63 yards over the course of every 90 minutes.
Arsenal’s Leah Williamson has travelled the next furthest progressive distance with the ball, 2,426 yards in total, although the England defender has played almost two full games more than Chelsea’s Eriksson.
The pair have covered a significantly greater distance when in possession of the ball than all other Barclays FA Women’s Super League players. Manchester City’s Steph Houghton has the third-best record of 1,840 progressive yards in nine games while Manchester United’s Leah Galton is in fourth having progressed 1,655 yards in a little under 10 matches.
In total, only 12 players in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League have progressed at least half of the distance with the ball as Eriksson. Despite the player being known for her defensive versatility and resolve, the progressive distance statistics highlight the key role which Eriksson plays for her team in starting attacking moves and driving her side forward. With The Blues sitting six points behind league leaders Manchester United in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table having played two games less, Emma Hayes’ side have work to do in the second half of the season and their captain will have a role to play in what happens at both ends of the pitch.
Statistics: FBREF
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