Cuthbert chasing clutch of club titles after picking up international award
ERIN CUTHBERT picked up her first piece of silverware of the season last week. But the individual nature of the Scottish Football Writers’ Association women’s international player of the year award means the Scotland and Chelsea forward is far more concerned with the trio of trophies still up for grabs for her club side as they chase the Women’s Super League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in the final weeks of the season.
Cuthbert returns to club action this afternoon in the FA Cup clash with Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village in the first leg of that triple bid of semi-final encounters fresh from helping Pedro Martinez Losa’s Scotland side secure their first competitive victory in nine attempts in the 1-0 win over Slovakia at Hampden on Tuesday night. Cuthbert’s flighted free-kick delivery provided the assist as Sophie Howard headed Scotland to victory in the Euro ’25 qualifying encounter.
But there is hardly time for Emma Hayes’ side to pause to breath. Chelsea are second in Women’s Super League, three points behind Manchester City with a game in hand, and after today’s FA Cup encounter against United, they return to WSL action in midweek against Aston Villa with the chance to reach the league summit, before a daunting trip to Barcelona on Saturday for their Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg .
Cuthbert is hoping to go all the way in the league to give manager Hayes the perfect send-off before she takes over the United States national side at the end of the season.
For Cuthbert, the action will be unrelenting if f her side are to reach the FA Cup final on May 12 and Champions ons League final on May 25, with Scotland’s upcoming pcoming European Championship ip qualifying double ouble header against st Israel on May y 31 and June 5 coming ng after the regular season. eason.
Scotland sit it second in Group B2 behind Serbia on goal al difference after fter two matches, , and are looking to o reach the play-offs.
And the tenacious wide player is hoping getting back to winning ways for Scotland in midweek will provide a perfect boost as she looks to help steer the Blues to silverware success and Scotland towards the Euros.
“Momentum definitely plays a factor. I have come back to Chelsea very happy, in a good mood, good spirits, ready to go again,” said Cuthbert (inset). “The break came at a perfect time for me after I was overwhelmed by so many games at club level.
“I have come back fighting, ready, raring to go, got the business end of the season, and it doesn’t rest. We have international games after the season finishes. I think the season is going to prolong a little bit so it’s important to have these moments of break during it. But I am really excited to get back to business.”
Having joined Chelsea from Scottish champions Glasgow City in 2017 after making her Scotland debut as a 17-year-old the previous season, the 63-times capped forward now wears the armband for her club side after signing an extended contract in November 2022.
And with Scotland and Real Madrid star Caroline Weir, winner of the SFWA women’s international player of the year award for the previous two campaigns, sidelined with a long-term acl injury, Cuthbert is happy to take on the added responsibility in a dark blue shirt.
“Being a senior player, which is quite weird to say at 25, I think now given we have such a young group in terms of appearances, I probably do regard myself as that and part of the leadership group as well,” Cuthbert said. “It is a lot on us that we have to guide the group. I know what it feels like to go to a major tournament, a couple of others know what it feels like to go there.
“You have to drill in that mentality, that it’s the best thing in the world, but it takes a lot to get there, you are going t to have to take some tough mo moments and ride that and learn l that footbal football is never going to be perfect. p It’s up to us to keep k getting results. result
“I feel we are capable capa of so much and are on the edge edg of something.
“I think there is more mor to come from this group but it’s up to us to show that.
“It’s lovely to be recognised, recogn it’s nice to have that th recognition for my achievements a individually, individu but it’s a team sport spo and we have to now kick k on and be successful successf and get Scotland Scotlan to a major tournament.” tourna