It’s been some season for Nathalie Bjorn. A WSL winner. A League Cup winner. Countless blocks and tackles. Huge goals. And now, as voted for by her fellow team-mates, Chelsea Women’s Players’ Player of the Season.
A first full campaign with the Blues for the Swedish international has seen Bjorn complete an incredible domestic double, and with a potential treble still on the cards through the upcoming Women’s FA Cup final, Nat is not finished yet.
But to hold this latest piece of silverware in her hands is more than surreal. Although it’s an acknowledgement of her incredible work this season, the defender is quick to thank all the people who have made it possible in her trademark selfless manner.
Nat opened: ‘I’m really happy and really honoured to have received this prize voted for by my team-mates, the people that I work with every day. I’m just very grateful.
‘When they announced the winner, I was blown away. I was looking at the video and the girls said some really nice stuff. I think I need to watch it again because I think it was a blackout moment for me! It came as a bit of a surprise.
‘I love to play for this team and I love to play with my girls. They made this possible, it’s easy to work with them every day and I'll just enjoy this moment.’
Reflecting on another trophy-laden year, Bjorn pointed to the team’s incredible bond and togetherness as key to their success, while helping her develop into a better footballer.
‘As a team we have accomplished a lot,’ she continued.
‘It’s easy to play in a team that wants to improve, where people want to learn and people want to win. That makes it easier as a defender when we’re scoring goals.
‘I think this season, overall, has been the biggest one of my career personally. I feel like I have developed into a much better football player.’
Bjorn also believes Sonia Bompastor has been crucial in her journey this campaign, thanking her head coach for instilling an indomitable confidence within herself.
She added: ‘She has given me the trust and the chance to let me play and show what I can do. I’ve loved this season and I think with her confidence in me, believing in me, it really helped me grow.’