Annabel Blanchard (born 7 May 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Women's Super League club Crystal Palace. She previously played for Liverpool, Leicester City, and Blackburn Rovers, and has represented England at international youth level. She is known for her outstanding technical ability and complete two footedness.
Blanchard made her professional debut on 24 April 2018 against Arsenal.
Blanchard joined Leicester City ahead of the 2019âÂÂ20 season. She made her league debut against Durham on 18 August 2019. Blanchard scored her first league goal against Crystal Palace on 19 January 2020, scoring in the 15th minute.
On 21 January 2021, Blanchard joined Women's Championship club Blackburn Rovers. She made her league debut against London City Lionesses on 24 January 2021. Blanchard scored her first league goal against Watford on 12 September 2021, scoring in the 80th minute.
Blanchard made her league debut against London City Lionesses on 21 August 2022. She scored her first league goal against Coventry United on 27 August 2022 in the 64th minute.
In the 2023âÂÂ24 season, Blanchard won the Women's Championship Player of the Month award, the WomenâÂÂs Championship Goal of the Month award for September, and was voted Crystal Palace WomenâÂÂs Player of the Month for October.
On 16 January 2024, it was announced that Blanchard had signed a new deal until 2025. She was awarded the Crystal Palace WomenâÂÂs Player of the Month for April 2024.
On 6 October 2024, Blanchard scored twice against Leicester City 2âÂÂ0 victory, gaining newly promoted Crystal Palace their first ever goals and win in the Women's Super League for the 2024âÂÂ25 season. Her first goal was subsequently nominated for the WSL Goal of the Month award.
On 20 October 2024, after her performance in a 1âÂÂ0 draw against Liverpool, BBC Sport declared that Blanchard was "the source of almost everything dangerous that comes from the Palace attack".
In August 2025 it was announced that Blanchard had signed a new 2 year contract with Crystal Palace keeping her at the club until 2027.
Blanchard represented England throughout the U14 to U19 levels, including scoring twice in three appearances at the 2018 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship in Lithuania.
In October 2024, former England striker Ian Wright appealed for Sarina Wiegman to add Blanchard to the England squad.
Blanchard has been credited with impressive awareness, ability to hold up the ball at the right time, and knowing when to play in other players.
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