Chelsea add two of Europe's brightest young talents as Emma Hayes revamps squad

Schöke Nusken presented as Chelsea player at Stamford Bridge. Credit: Getty Images/Harriet Lander

Chelsea are expected to sign United States international Katarina Macario on a free transfer this summer. It is understood that a deal has been reached for a move that will be completed when the 23-year-old attacking midfielder's contract with Lyon expires at the end of the season.

And in another major coup, Chelsea also signed Schöcke Nusken from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 22-year-old German defensive midfielder will move to London on July 1 for an undisclosed fee in a deal that runs until 2026.

Both players are among the most sought after young talents in the world. women's game, but capturing Macario in particular will be an extremely important addition to the Women's Super League.

One of the United States' Budding stars, Macario scored eight goals in 17 caps for world champions. She helped her current club Lyon win the Women's Champions League last season.

Chelsea is wasting no time in strengthening their squad after losing to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. this term and manager Emma Hayes were happy to recruit Nusken.

Catarina Macario in her current Olympique Lyon uniform. Photo: Getty Images/Francesco Scaccianoce. half is not her only outstanding strength, there is everything from her interceptions, her reading of the game and her general presence," Hayes said. "She is dynamic, good in flight and will be a great asset for this club"

Chelsea general manager Paul Green added: “We are delighted to have completed the signing of Schöke as a player we have been following for the past few seasons. We think she is at a great age and ready to take the next step in her career. We believe that her style will fit very well into the English game"

Telegraph Sport analysis Chelsea are developing their team again

One of the secrets of Hayes' the continued success at Chelsea, with which it lifted its 13th major trophy on Sunday with a win in the Women's FA Cup final, is the club's ability to regularly renew the squad and continue to attract new talent ahead of the 'peak' years of their careers.

The age profiles of Macario and Nusken, aged 23 and 22 respectively, fit this model perfectly, and both will now be an integral part of Chelsea's plans for the coming years

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Throughout Hayes' the club has also always tended to do most of their summer operations at the beginning of the year and it is understood that they are very close to further international additions. Hayes was asked about recruiting for this summer on Tuesday at her press conference ahead of her WSL meeting with West Ham United on Wednesday, and she said: “We're almost done. The recruiting never ends, but we've already done most of our business."

The signing of Macario comes at a time when there are widespread reports that Danish captain Pernille Harder is likely to leave the club this summer due to the expiration of her contract, and although the 30-year-old is extremely popular in west London, Macario is likely to be considered by many as a more than adequate replacement. This is exactly the evolution of the Chelsea starting line-up that Chelsea fans have become accustomed to in recent years as the club strive to remain at the top of the rankings in England.

They are currently three wins short of a fourth successive league title WSL and the additions of Macario and Nusken, fans of rival clubs have little hope that the era of Chelsea dominance will end anytime soon.