Why did Chelsea sign Manaka Matsukubo?
Japan's next big thing has arrived to the WSL. This is why Chelsea needed her
Chelsea were knocked off their perch last season in the Women’s Super League. The Blues won six straight league titles from 2019-20 onwards and went unbeaten in 2023-24, only to finish last season third after Sonia Bompastor’s side struggled to find the net. Chelsea averaged two goals per game in the WSL and scored fewer than in any season since 2013-14.
Injuries, inconsistency and tactical errors plagued Chelsea on the pitch. Some big-name departures and failures to secure targets last summer have only made matters worse.
As they attempt to improve on last season’s disappointment, Chelsea have again looked to the NWSL for reinforcements, securing another promising talent in 21-year-old Japanese attacking midfielder Manaka Matsukubo.
Matsukubo has signed a five-year deal with Chelsea, becoming the second young NWSL attacker in as many years to arrive in west London after Alyssa Thompson made her move from Angel City FC last summer.
Unlike the American, Matsukubo arrives with a lot less fanfare, despite her exceptional numbers in the league. The 21-year-old was voted Midfielder of the Year in the NWSL last season and is the youngest player to ever score a hat-trick in the competition. She has become a mainstay for Japan after winning the Silver Ball for second-best player at the 2024 U20 Women’s World Cup, and was part of the squad that won the Women’s Asian Cup this year.
Let’s look at why Chelsea are betting on Matsukubo and what makes her such an exciting talent.
Tactical role and development
Matsukubo moved to the Courage on a year-long loan in 2023 before making the move permanent. She scored a technically brilliant volley in that year’s NWSL Challenge Cup final and was named MVP of the match. She then established herself as a key member of the side in 2024 and 2025.
The Japan international is a ‘final phase’ player, whether starting in midfield or attack. Courage managers Sean Nahas and Mak Lind used her in that manner throughout her time at the club, with the former praising her footballing IQ and dubbing her as a star in the making for her performances. Her ability to identify and time her runs in the final third is exceptional.
The 21-year-old is versatile enough to play up front or in the hole behind the striker, playing across both roles since the start of last season. Her involvement outside of the final third is limited by design. Over the past two seasons, 68% of her touches came in the opposition half, with 41% in the final third across the last two seasons.
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