Nelly Las: Career, Background and the Rise of Chelsea’s Young Football Star

Nelly Las is one of the exciting young names emerging in English women’s football. Still only 18, the versatile defender has already made the jump from grassroots football to the Women’s Super League and England’s youth teams — and in 2026 took another major step in her career by signing for Chelsea.

With her pace, attacking mentality and ability to play in several positions, Las is a player whose career is developing quickly.

Who Is Nelly Las?

Nelly Lasova, known professionally as Nelly Las, was born on 17 December 2007 in England and grew up in Leicester.

She started playing competitive football at just five years old. Football was already a big part of her childhood, with Las and her twin brother regularly kicking a ball around while watching their older brother play.

Her first grassroots club was Beaumont Park, a boys’ team where she played from around the age of five until her early teenage years. Las has spoken about being one of the only girls in the league and credits the support she received from her coach with helping her continue playing football at a high level. 

From Boys’ Football to Leicester City Academy

Las first joined the Leicester City academy at the age of nine.

However, she initially spent only a year in the academy before returning to boys’ football. Her family believed continuing to play against boys would help her development.

She eventually returned to Leicester around the age of 13 and continued progressing through the club’s youth system.

That decision proved important. Las developed into an energetic and attack-minded defender capable of playing as a full-back or wing-back.

Breaking Into Senior Football

Las made her senior Leicester City debut in October 2024 in a League Cup match against Bristol City.

Her Women’s Super League debut followed in December 2024 when Leicester faced Chelsea in a 1–1 draw.

Her rapid progress was particularly impressive given her age. By the beginning of 2026, she had made more than 20 senior appearances for Leicester across competitions. 

Las also spent part of the 2025–26 season on loan at Ipswich Town in the Women’s Super League 2, gaining further senior experience. 

England International Career

Las has also established herself as an England youth international.

She represented England at the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship in 2024, where England reached the final. Las was subsequently named in the tournament’s Team of the Tournament.

She also represented England at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, gaining valuable international experience against some of the best young players in the world.

Her progression continued into the England Under-19 and Under-20 teams. 

A Defender Who Likes to Attack

One of the most interesting aspects of Las’s game is her attacking approach.

She has described herself as an aggressive full-back who likes to move forward and make things happen. That mentality makes her particularly suited to modern football, where full-backs are increasingly expected to contribute at both ends of the pitch. 

She is comfortable playing on either side of defence and can also operate further forward as a wing-back.

Nelly Las Joins Chelsea

In July 2026, Las reached the biggest milestone of her young career so far when she signed for Chelsea.

The move from Leicester City saw the teenager join one of the biggest clubs in women’s football, signing a four-year contract.

Chelsea’s history of developing elite players made the move particularly significant. Las has previously spoken about idolising England and Chelsea legend Lucy Bronze, and she now has the opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the game. 

For a player who began her journey playing boys’ grassroots football in Leicester, walking into Chelsea represents an extraordinary rise.

Nelly Las and Her Style on the Pitch

Las has quickly developed a recognisable football style: energetic, aggressive and willing to attack from defence.

Like many modern footballers, she also has her own distinctive match-day style, occasionally wearing a sports headband on the pitch to keep her hair controlled while playing.

It’s a small detail, but it is part of the increasingly individual style seen across women’s football, where players combine performance, personality and fashion on the pitch.

What Could Be Next for Nelly Las?

At just 18, Las is still at the beginning of her senior career.

Her move to Chelsea gives her the opportunity to train and compete within one of the strongest environments in women’s football. She will also be looking to establish herself further with England at senior international level.

If her progression from grassroots football to Leicester, England youth international and now Chelsea is anything to go by, there could be plenty more milestones ahead.

Nelly Las: A Football Career Just Getting Started

Nelly Las’s story is a reminder of how quickly a young footballer’s career can develop.

From kicking a ball around with her brothers and playing boys’ grassroots football in Leicester, to representing England and signing for Chelsea, her journey has already included some remarkable achievements.

Now, with a new chapter beginning at Chelsea, Nelly Las is one of the young players worth watching in English women’s football.