Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says that centre-back Aniek Nouwen has all of the attributes needed to be a top defender in world football.
The 22-year-old joined The Blues in the summer from Dutch club PSV and she has had to bide her time for opportunities in the Chelsea side.
With Chelsea manager Hayes having been short on squad numbers in recent weeks, Nouwen has been a regular at the heart of the defence. Manager Hayes said that the player has been thrown in at the deep end with Nouwen playing more games than planned.
“I always say that it takes about six months to settle,” Hayes told FAWSL Full-Time. “Her body struggled in the first half of the season to recover from games. It has taken a period of adaptation of six months.
“She’s probably playing more games than she should at this period in time but we don’t really have another choice so she is having to do extra things off the pitch to recover.”
Nouwen has had an experienced player beside her in recent weeks with the defender being fielded alongside England centre-back Millie Bright. Hayes went on to hail the blossoming partnership whilst highlighting the fact that she believes that Nouwen will become one of the world’s best defenders.
She said “I think that partnership between her and Millie has been growing game-by-game. She’s fabulous on the ball, a wonderful one v one defender and I really believe that Aniek is going to become a top, top defender.
“This is about the right time to give her the opportunity that she has needed but like I said, the first half of the season her body had to adapt to the demands and that’s why she had some setbacks. I don’t think people realise how hard it is to come and play in this league.”
Nouwen was offered further game time last night as Chelsea defeated Manchester United 3-1 to reach the FA Women’s Continental League Cup final. The player played the full 90 minutes of that match.
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