Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.33 2022-23

Chelsea have announced this week that captain Magdalena Eriksson and striker Pernille Harder are
to leave the club at the end of the season.
After a little less than six trophy-laden years with the club, captain Magdalena Eriksson will
depart Chelsea upon the expiration of her contract this summer. With a relentless desire to win,
impeccable professionalism and mentality, Eriksson has been a leader on the pitch having been
handed the captain’s armband before the 2019-20 season, in place of the departing Karen Carney.
The Swedish skipper will continue to represent the Blues for our final two league matches of the
season against Arsenal and Reading as we challenge for the WSL title, before saying an emotional
goodbye to the club she has called home since July 2017.
Having spent just shy of six years in blue, the 29-year-old defender has made 183 appearances
and cemented herself as one of the greats to have pulled on the shirt. Eriksson has been an ever-
present figure in defence, contributing 11goals for the club and helping us to 11 trophies along the way.
With four WSL titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and an FA Women’s Community Shield
to her name, she has become a fan favourite and has been a key contributor to the success they have
enjoyed during her time at the club.
Eriksson joined Chelsea from Linkopings in her native Sweden ahead of the 2017-18 season.
She made the perfect start to life in blue, scoring on her debut against Bristol City and becoming a
regular in the starting line-up in her first season, where she helped bring the WSL title back to the
club.
During the 2018-19 campaign, Eriksson played a key role in their impressive defensive record
that year. She started 34 times in all competitions, more than any other player, as they reached the
Champions League semi finals for the second straight season.
Having been awarded the captaincy at the start of the 2019-20 season, Eriksson’s first game
with the armband came against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in front of almost 25,000
fans. Covid heavily disrupted the campaign, but the club emerged with a WSL and League Cup
double. Further silverware followed during the 2020-21 campaign with another WSL and League Cup
double, while they reached our first ever Champions League final. Eriksson made her 100th Blues
appearance that season and earned a place in the PFA Women’s Team of the Year for the second year
running.
While it was another successful season on the trophy front, a lengthy injury absence at the start
of 2022 was frustrating for the Swede, but she continued to be an important presence off the pitch.
She returned to win her second FA Cup against Arsenal, the first of two FA Cup triumphs that year.
This year, Eriksson led Chelsea to the League Cup final in March before lifting her third
consecutive FA Cup at Wembley last Sunday. They also reached the Champions League semi finals
and continue their challenge for the WSL title with two games remaining before the season draws to
a close.
Danish international Harder made the switch to London from German side Wolfsburg ahead of
the 2020-21 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season. She will continue to represent the Blues for
our final two league matches of the campaign as we maintain our challenge for the WSL title.
With a keen eye for goal, the Dane has shown there is more to her game than just finishing. She
has the ability to create chances for her team mates, showing versatility across the frontline or in an
attacking-midfield role during her time at the club.
Having spent just under three years at Chelsea, the 30-year-old forward has made
79appearances for the club and scored 44 goals in that time. She has contributed significantly to the
WSL, FA Cup and League Cup triumphs we have enjoyed throughout her Blues career.
Her final season in blue has been hampered by a hamstring injury suffered while on
international duty last November. After a lengthy absence, Harder returned to the matchday squad
for Chelsea’s FA Cup semi final victory over Aston Villa in April and has featured in all five matches
in May.
Harder enjoyed a fine debut season at Chelsea, playing an important role in their successes,
which included helping us to lift the 2020-21 WSL title and reach the UEFA Women’s Champions
League final for the first time in the club’s history.
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