Emma Hayes believes Kadeisha Buchanan has potential to be 'best defender in the world'
By Ali Rampling
Emma Hayes believes new Chelsea signing Kadeisha Buchanan has the potential to be 'the best defender in the world' after impressing against Portland Thorns in a pre-season friendly.
The centre back joined the Blues from Lyon during the summer transfer window, already bringing with her a lofty reputation as one of the finest defenders in the game, having won five Champions League titles with Lyon and Olympic gold with Canada.
Chelsea beat Portland Thorns 1-0 on Sunday evening thanks to Guro Reiten's second half goal to claim third place in the Women's International Champions Cup, with Buchanan particularly impressing with her second half performance against exciting young USWNT forward Sophia Smith to help preserve a clean sheet for her side.
"An incredible player, what an incredible player!" Hayes said of her new signing's performance. "I thought she was exceptional. I think she is a world class player and today I think she showed everybody why. With the right work she will become the best defender in the world."
The Canadian international is one of five new arrivals at Kingsmeadow this summer, alongside Eve Perisset, Katerina Svitkova, Lucy Watson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Chelsea head into the 2022/23 campaign attempting to be crowned WSL champions for a fourth consecutive season, and Hayes was pleased with the shape her side are in with the new season looming.
"I'm really happy, I think we’ve got depth we haven’t had before," the Chelsea boss added.
"I still think we’re trying to figure a couple of things out and how we improve our overall play, but I think we are moving in the direction that the whole team wants to and I think in general our build-up play has been better. I think we’ve been patient in our defending, and I think everyone’s really excited for the season ahead."