Aggie Beever-Jones continues to go from strength to strength. At just 21 years old, the forward has just completed a domestic Treble and finished the season as our top scorer in the Women’s Super League with nine goals.
That form continued as she reported for England duty last week. Beever-Jones bagged a hat-trick at Wembley in a 6-0 win over Portugal in Women’s Nations League action, with this summer’s European Championships just around the corner.
The plaudits have come thick and fast for her. Yet when we sat down with her just before the end of the domestic campaign, she was determined to keep her feet on the ground.
‘I've always felt the pressure of being at Chelsea because it’s such a great club,’ she explained. ‘But I try not to focus too much on it. Every time I pull on that Chelsea shirt, I'm just giving it my all.
‘People say I’ve had a breakthrough season but I’m keeping in the right headspace by focusing on what I can control and hopefully playing good football.
‘I’ve improved tactically by understanding the game and learning more about myself. I know how my body needs to recover and naturally, I’ve grown up a bit more. I'm 21 and have been in this environment for a while now, so I'm getting used to what's required. Learning about myself in this way has helped me express myself more on the pitch.’
Versatility has always been a strong point for Beever-Jones. Of her nine Women’s Super League goals last season, five came from a central position, two from the right, one from the left and one from off the bench.
The striker detailed exactly why playing in those different roles across the front line has helped her develop, along with some tips from an array of experienced professionals within the squad.
‘The beauty of playing in different positions means you get to learn a bit of everything,' she says. ‘I've matured in terms of my game understanding, playing with consistency and hopefully making fewer mistakes.
‘It's been a good season for me to learn about the game and continue my development. At a club like this, I'm constantly learning from so many players every day - for example I spoke to Jojo (Johanna Rytting Kaneryd) about playing right wing. I've got world-class players around me and I'm being a sponge, soaking it all up!’
In addition to learning from the senior players at Chelsea, Beever-Jones has been working closely alongside head coach Sonia Bompastor, with a focus on developing an elite mentality.
The boss has a plan for the young forward and has a clear idea of what her ideal role will be as she continues to progress.
‘Sonia has had a huge impact on the mental side of my game,’ Beever-Jones continues. ‘When I make a mistake, sometimes I can keep it in my head a little bit too much and dwell on it. She's always said to me, ‘Aggie you’ve just equally done something so good and you're only thinking of the negative'.
‘She shines a light on that massively. She wants me to stay confident, and she knows my capabilities. Sometimes she has to remind me of those and to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
‘Sonia thinks I have the attributes to become a top-level number 10. She’s always challenged me by keeping my standards high, and she's always making me see things from a different perspective.
‘I think that’s good because you become aware of what else you could have done. Having been a player herself, she understands the game so well, and it makes it easier to listen to her because she knows what she's doing. ‘
As the young striker reflected on her season with Chelsea, she was keen to discuss the close-knit nature of the squad.
With the Euros on the horizon, the season is unlikely to be over yet for her, but she did have time to reflect on a special club campaign before she switched her focus over to playing for England.
‘I love winning,’ she grinned. ‘Every time I win, I think about how I want to keep doing it! It was so nice to win with some of my best mates this year and when you’ve worked hard throughout the season, it’s great to have something tangible to show for it.’