Eni Aluko excited by England team-mate Karen Carney's Chelsea move

Eni Aluko admits the addition of ‘pure’ footballer Karen Carney is a mouth-watering prospect for players and fans of Chelsea Ladies.

England centurion Carney officially joined double winners Chelsea at the start of the month after leaving hometown side Birmingham where she played for four seasons in her second spell with the club.

Aluko and Carney began their careers at Birmingham and the pair have spent more than a decade as international team-mates.

"Kaz is someone I have played with since I was very young as we both grew up in Birmingham," Aluko told Sky Sports. "I've followed her career closely and she's a top, top player and a top person.

"She is a great addition to our team. Kaz is a very pure footballer who really plays the game in the way that I think everybody wants to see it played. She's versatile, can play different positions and she's a leader having captained Birmingham now for a few years.

"She's always been a very technical player and I'm not sure that is always encouraged in English football. From a young age she has been a good dribbler, someone who can pass the ball and has good vision, and that is what Chelsea is all about.

"We don't compromise in the way that we win. We play football in the way we believe it should be played and that's with technical players. It's going to be extremely exciting to see the likes of Ji (So-Yun), Kaz, Fran (Kirby) Gemma (Davison) and myself all interlinking together.

"It's going to be amazing for us as well as the fans."

Carney is Emma Hayes' first signing of the close season and Aluko is eager to see what else the Chelsea boss has up her sleeve as they aim to make progress in the Champions League next term.

"We realised last season that our squad for the Champions League isn't perhaps as deep as it could be, particularly at the end of the season when there are niggly injuries and there are players that are very tired," Aluko said.

"Kaz has played in the Champions League and won it with Arsenal when Emma Hayes was an assistant coach there. We need more players who have experienced success in that tournament because a lot of us don't have it.

"This is a great coup for Emma Hayes and Chelsea. I never have any doubts with Emma Hayes. She's one of the best recruiters in the world and I'm excited to see who else she will sign, but for sure, I am really excited to play with Kaz again."