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WSL
Chelsea have pulled off one of the summer's most underrated signings, snapping up 22-year-old Japanese midfielder Manaka Matsukubo from North Carolina Courage.
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While the footballing world was busy dissecting blockbuster deals, Chelsea quietly wrapped up a signing that deserves far more attention. Manaka Matsukubo, just 22, completed her move to the club in June - and she might be the bargain of the summer.
The Japanese midfielder was nothing short of sensational at North Carolina Courage. Five goals and four assists in nine NWSL appearances this season? That's ruthless efficiency. She earned the NWSL midfielder of the year award in 2025 after bagging 11 goals and four assists, as WSL Football reports.
Matsukubo averaged 2.35 chances created per 90 minutes - placing her among the NWSL's elite playmakers. Her technical ability and clinical finishing make her a genuine dual threat. She can operate as an attacking midfielder or slide into a central striker role without missing a beat.
This will be Matsukubo's first taste of European football. She's done her homework, though. She's been a keen follower of English football and has already consulted Chelsea teammate Maika Hamano about life at the club. The excitement, she says, is real.
Chelsea finished third in the Barclays Women's Super League last season - hardly catastrophic, but not the standard they set for themselves. Matsukubo arrives as part of the club's mission to reclaim top spot. If her NWSL form is anything to go by, defenders across England should be worried.
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Eva Hernández, Editor-in-Chief
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