With 19 days to go until Chelsea begin the defence of our Women’s Super League title against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, we profile one of our World Cup bronze medallists, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, with the Swede having experienced her first year as a Blue during the 2022/23 season.

Player Profile

Name: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd

National Team: Sweden

Place of Birth: Kolsva, Sweden

Position: Winger

DOB: 12 February 1997 (age 26)

Height: 1.63m (5 ft 4 in)

Chelsea career

Rytting Kaneryd joined the Blues on a three-year deal from BK Hacken in her native Sweden in August 2022 and during her first season, the 26-year-old helped us towards a fourth consecutive WSL title and a third straight FA Cup triumph at Wembley in May.

The Swedish international grew in confidence with game time and when given the opportunity to shine, she grasped the chance to impress and was a thorn in the side of opposition defences with her pace and versatility.

She scored her first Chelsea goal in a 3-1 league victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Kingsmeadow in March 2023, capping her debut season with two trophies while also reaching the final of the League Cup and the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

International duty

The Swede is well into double figures for international caps since making her senior debut in a victory over Austria in 2021. Her first goal arrived in a friendly win against Brazil in June 2022, shortly before she helped her country reach the semi-finals of that summer’s European Championships.

Rytting Kaneryd represented Sweden at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, playing an integral role in helping them to a third-place finish, where she lined-up alongside compatriot and club teammate, Zecira Musovic.

Click here to secure your seats for the Blues opening WSL fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 1 October, with kick-off at 5.30pm (UK time).