Mag’s dream home

MAGDALENA ERIKSSON says captaining Chelsea to Champions League Final glory against Barcelona in Gothenburg tonight would be the fullest realisation of a childhood dream.

The Sweden defender, 27, has already guided Emma Hayes’ side to the League Cup and Women’s Super League title this season.

Now Chelsea bid to become champions of Europe for the first time. The FA Cup remains in their sights too, encouraging hopes of a Quadruple.

Eriksson said: “As a footballer, one of your childhood dreams is to lift the Champions League trophy.

“For the club and for the team it would mean so much to do it.

“We haven’t come this far not to lift that trophy.

“It’s been a journey we’ve been on for a long time, and we have the best squad we’ve ever had.

“We have a real togetherness within the team and everyone has a common goal.” Eriksson (below) joined the Blues in 2017 following a four-year spell at Linkopings in Sweden, who she captained to the league title.

She added: “Every year I’ve been here at Chelsea things have got better – the squad, facilities, the league itself and my own qualities.

“It feels amazing to me and I also feel like we are here to stay.

“One big thing for me is that we have now become a club where players want to join.”

Chelsea manager Hayes said: “Magda is a leader who is extremely demanding and communicative, yet empathetic.

“She’s classy – and I wouldn’t swap her for anyone in the world because I know just how much of a winner she is.

“It’s a proud day for her and her family to be leading the team out at her own national stadium.”