CHELSEA FEEL THE FOUR-CE
MAGDA ERIKSSON says she always knew that Chelsea would challenge for the Quadruple this season – even before the campaign kicked off.
The Blues skipper now faces two games in eight days that will make or break that historic mission.
Victory over Reading today will ensure a second leg is in the bag, by adding the Women’s Super League crown to the Continental League Cup.
And next Sunday comes the huge test in the Champions League Final in Gothenburg where the Swede will be hoping to complete a Treble with victory over Barcelona.
The 2020-21 FA Cup looks set to be concluded next season, but Chelsea, who also won the Community Shield, are in the hunt for that, too.
Defender Eriksson said: “I definitely knew that we had the opportunity and the possibility of winning everything. I’m not being arrogant – it was realistic.
“If you looked at the squad, the amazing players we have and also what we have done previously, it was possible.
“It was our ambition to compete for everything – we’ve not been shy of it.
“We have had the pressure of trying to win every game since the start of the season, so what is before us now doesn’t make it any different.
“We have had to learn how to deal with that kind of pressure. One of our strengths is that we have learned how to do that.”
Chelsea landed a coup in the middle of last season, signing Australian superstar Sam Kerr (above) – and it has really paid off in her first full
English campaign. The striker has scored 20 WPL goals, including a brace against Tottenham in midweek which set up today’s exciting finale.
Eriksson added: “Sam has been incredible for us. She’s a cool human being and she’s good to be around. She’s very humble and a team player, but a top-quality player. She’s stepped up for us, time and again.
“Spurs this week was a perfect example of what she’s about. She’s 100 per cent been a valuable piece of the jigsaw.
“But what we have shown throughout the season is that we have game-changers in every position. If it’s the keeper saving two penalties in a game or it’s a striker scoring a couple of goals, it’s about all the moments – you need the whole, to be as successful as us.”
But the Sweden star knows Reading, whose 172-cap England legend Fara Williams, 37, marks an emotional retirement farewell today, are not going to make life easy.
Eriksson said: “We know how important these next two games are but we will deal with the Champions League Final later.
“Reading are going to bring their ‘A’ game and try to ruin things for us. But we’re happy and in a good place.”