'I love Cat!' - Catarina Macario's impact at Chelsea off the pitch revealed as USWNT star enjoys incredible form following two years out with ACL injury

Macario joined the Blues last summer but she did so while recovering from a long-term ACL injury and it would take until March of this year, some 22 months after the rupture, that she got to make her club debut. However, she looks to be making up for lost time since her return, scoring twice and assisting twice in her six sub appearances so far for Chelsea.

It's not just on the pitch that Macario's impact is being felt, either. Manager Emma Hayes has spoke glowingly about the USWNT star's character in recent weeks and even revealed that she bought her team-mates a cake after her Chelsea debut, to thank them for putting up with her as she completed a rehab that took almost two years.

Fellow forward Reiten has now become the latest to talk warmly about Macario's personality, speaking ahead of Sunday's Continental Cup final clash with Arsenal. "You've all heard about the cake!" Reiten laughed, asked about her American team-mate.

"She's fun. I love Cat. She's been working so hard to get back and being out for almost two years, I think she's been through a lot and to see her comeback and getting time on the pitch, scoring goals, assisting, I think you can see her finding herself again and I'm very happy for her. We have just got to give her time because she's been out for a while, so I think she needs time."

Macario was a key player as Lyon won the Champions League in 2022, scoring in the final as they beat Barcelona 3-1. Chelsea will hope she can play a role in their own bid for a European title in these next few months, with the Blues never having won the trophy.

Chelsea are still fighting on all four fronts, though, and the focus for Macario and co. right now is the Conti Cup final on Sunday. The Blues will be out for revenge against Arsenal, who beat them in last year's final.