Chelsea reinforce attack with Matsukubo as champions chase more trophies

Chelsea have secured Japan international Manaka Matsukubo on a five‑year deal to deepen the attacking options of Sonia Bompastor’s squad, addressing the need for versatile creativity ahead of the new Women’s Super League campaign as the reigning champions look to extend their dominance.

Matsukubo can operate as an attacking midfielder or a central striker, bringing creativity, technical quality and an eye for goal. Her versatility gives Sonia Bompastor’s side a valuable option across the front line.

In the NWSL she was named Midfielder of the Year after scoring 11 league goals last season. Across her NWSL career she has netted 19 goals in 60 appearances and has already added five goals in nine league matches this campaign.

In October she became the youngest player to record a hat‑trick in NWSL history, achieving the feat against Bay FC. The record underscores her scoring instinct at a young age.

Internationally Matsukubo helped Japan reach the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup final in 2022 and again in 2024, earning the Silver Ball in the latter tournament. Since her senior debut in 2025 she has won the SheBelieves Cup and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, accumulating 19 caps and two goals.

She began her professional career with Japanese side Mynavi Sendai in 2023 before moving to North Carolina Courage on an initial loan that later became permanent. The move to Chelsea follows her successful NWSL spell.

“I'm so excited to be joining Chelsea, a club with a lot of history. As a small child, I followed Chelsea because it is a club everyone in the world knows about,” Matsukubo said after completing the transfer. She added that she wants to help continue the club’s tradition of winning trophies.

Her arrival comes shortly after veteran Lucy Bronze signed a new contract, further strengthening an already star‑studded squad. Matsukubo’s addition aims to sustain Chelsea’s dominance in the Women’s Super League as the new campaign approaches.