The 21st day of December brings an exclusive interview with Niamh Charles who recently made her long-awaited return from a dislocated shoulder.
Our defender made her first appearance of the season in our penultimate Women’s Super League match before the winter break when she came on against Brighton & Hove Albion. The 25-year-old went on to play once more in the league and twice in the UEFA Champions League, starting both of those European games.
It felt like a long three-month lay-off for our No.21, especially as she had been one of our most regular performers last season, starting in each of our 22 league matches.
And while some of her team-mates might be ready for the festive break, Charles desired a run of games to help kickstart her season. It will have to wait until the New Year now but our defender will be ready to pick up where she left off.
‘It was really nice to get back,’ our No.21 told us at Cobham. ‘I think for everyone else they were looking forward to the Christmas break, but I wanted to keep going, keep playing and get into the rhythm of things.
‘It felt like a long time while rehabbing, so it has been really nice just to be back and to be a part of the team again.
‘When I came back I was conscious and very aware that it had been three months since I last played. I was extra switched on to things and aware of things that may become automatic when you’re in a rhythm of games.
‘I was consciously thinking about it, but it was really nice to start to get back into a good flow of it. I feel like it took a bit of a weight off and then I could go focus on the next games.
‘It was really tough to be out injured, but at the same time, I feel lucky because ever since I’ve been at Chelsea, I haven’t missed out on anything.
‘Hopefully, I can put it all behind me now and in the New Year get back up to where I was and be even better than where I was before.’
The games will come thick and fast when we return from the break. Within a fortnight, our FA Cup and League Cup campaigns will get underway, and we will be looking to continue our fine form in the WSL.
First and foremost, Charles hopes she can stay fit during the second half of the season and aims to contribute to the team in any capacity she can.
‘I just want to focus on myself and getting back up to speed to where I was and even better,’ Charles said. ‘That was my short-term focus before Christmas.
‘After Christmas is how I can contribute to the team as much as possible, and whenever I’m needed or used, then holding myself accountable to those standards and trying to help the team. Hopefully, we have a really successful second half of the season.’
She should be well-placed to achieve those goals as Charles has felt good since she returned, but, naturally after a spell out, there are elements of her game where she is still hoping to improve.
The nature of her injury meant the defender was able to be in modified team training for a good amount of time before her return to action. That had its benefits, but nothing compares to playing in a match when it comes to regaining certain skills following a period of absence.
‘I feel lucky that I didn’t have too long out and I worked really hard in the gym,’ Charles explained. ‘I had been on the pitch for such a long time – which is good – but, you can’t replicate a game.
‘It’s something I’ve learned. Even though I’ve been lucky that because I’ve been able to be on the pitch, my fitness was in a relatively good place and my ability to withstand load was good, but you cannot replicate that match sharpness.
‘You can’t cheat with that and just switch it back on. It’s something that comes with training and match load. I’ve learned that and I’ve been working hard to get that back as quickly as possible.’
It may have been a difficult spell on the sidelines for Charles, but that period was made easier by how impressed she was with her team-mates' performances during the first half of the campaign.
‘It does make it easier, but then, of course, you want to be out there playing with them,’ Charles said. ‘There are equal sides to it.
‘It’s a lot more enjoyable when the team are doing well, but, selfishly you want to be out there with them. As a supporter of the team, it was nice to see them all grow and gel together.
‘They did so well. It’s an absolute credit to everyone who has come in and to the players who have been here before. Everyone has come together and invested in the process. The performances have been different in different games. We’ve not had it easy. There have been different tests and different challenges.
‘It’s something great to build on. We’ve put ourselves in a really good place and we want to keep building on that, but there are plenty of things to improve on.’
The defender has not only been impressed by collective performances, but also individual ones. From players old and new, Charles believes everyone has played their part.
‘They all had games where they have really grown and had their moment,’ Charles said. ‘Even the players who have played here for a while have stepped up.
‘I could say so many people. Sio (Nusken), for example, I think has grown massively. She had an unbelievable first year, but I’ve really enjoyed seeing her growth, consistency and her leading the team.
‘Maika has been unbelievable. Wieke, too. These are some really young players who are fearless and so talented. The way they have been contributed is massive. It’s so exciting for the future because they’re only going to get better.
‘Everyone has been so valuable to the team in their own way.’