After meeting each other at Brams United Girls Soccer Club in Brampton, Ontario, their careers have run parallel for the majority of the last 21 years.

Brams United, Erin Mills Soccer Club, University of West Virginia, semi-pro clubs Toronto Lady Lynx, Ottawa Fury and Vaughan Azzurri, Canada's youth and then senior teams, and now Chelsea; the pair have been team-mates and best friends for most of their lives.

The duo made their Canada senior team debuts in the same game back in 2013 and they even turned professional and moved to Europe together in early 2017 - although for Ashley it was with Paris-Saint Germain while for Kadeisha it was Lyon.

In 2022, Buchanan made the move to Chelsea, and just one year later, Lawrence joined her in London.

It's no surprise then that Lawrence is her long-time friend's biggest cheerleader, and is delighted Buchanan has committed her future to the Blues by signing a contract extension until the summer of 2027.

'Yeah, it is exciting,' Lawrence smiled. 'I think she's one of the best centre-backs in the world, and this is a big club, so I'm happy for her to continue on her journey here with Chelsea.

'We've played together for a long time, grew up together and have been on a lot of teams together. So this is another team to add to the list. She's like a sister to me.'

It's not difficult for Lawrence to list Buchanan's best qualities.

Whether those attributes are on the ball or as a leader, it's clear the Canada international can't wait to be back on the pitch with her best friend.

'She is just a solid defender,' Lawrence continued. 'It's hard to get by her. She has a mixture of being quick, having really good agility, and can read the game well. I think that's what separates her.

'Then I would say she’s on the ball, she can vary up her play, and as a centre back, she goes outside of the box with what she does. So yeah, I would just say she's the complete centre-back.

'I think from the back, she communicates a lot, so you'll hear her on the field and just never gives up. She's resilient on the field, so she'll get into a tackle. She won't let up. I think that just gives a lot of confidence to the team, especially from the back, just having her on the field.'

Buchanan is recovering from the ACL injury she suffered in November 2024. While rehab can often be a lonely journey, she has had her childhood friend on hand to call on for support.

And just as they began in grassroots football together, the pair are now embarking on the beginning of a journey to become a coach together, too.

Lawrence said: 'It's not easy. She's on another schedule. She's usually here when we're starting training or at the end of training, so we don't always cross paths.

'But right now, we're actually both doing our UEFA B together, with a few other players. So I see her often there.

'She knows that she always has me as support. I'm here for her. It's not an easy time at all. Whether it's me or the rest of the players, I hope she knows that we're here for her and anything that she needs because it's not easy.'

Lawrence thinks Buchanan is right where she needs to be at Chelsea - a top-level player at a top-level club.

The Canadian can only serve to strengthen Sonia Bompastor's resources on her return to action, even with tough competition for places in the starting line-up.

'She's used to playing at big clubs, even with the national team,' Lawrence continued. 'She's a key player. So I think it's big for her. I think it's big for Chelsea. It's a good match.

'I think just coming in and having that presence that she always has. This league is very physical. Every game is difficult, so we need to be good at both ends. I think just having her add to the team, it's going to be really good because we need to be solid defensively.

'And again, just her presence on the field, it's going to make it harder for other teams. And that's what we want. As defenders, we want to keep clean sheets, and she really prides herself on that.

'I think that shows a lot through how she plays, just body on the line, relentless, and does anything that she can to help us not concede goals.'