Just like at Chelsea, Nathalie Bjorn has become an integral part of the Sweden side that will take part in this summer’s European Championship in Switzerland.
From making her international debut in 2016, the defender’s performances have constantly moved her up the pecking order – from a bit-part player in the World Cup in 2019, to appearing in six of seven games at the last World Cup in 2023.
Sweden finished in third place in that tournament, with Bjorn only left out for a well-earned rest in the final group stage match. Now, she’s ready to go again and is relishing the prospect of facing even tougher competition than before.
‘I'm looking forward to it,' smiles Bjorn. 'I think this will be the hardest Euros yet. All of the nations have been developing, and this tournament is getting better and better.
‘It's going to be amazing to play in Switzerland with really good players, play against Chelsea team-mates and represent my nation.’
Bjorn could face Sjoeke Nusken when Sweden play Germany in the final Group C match on 12 July. If, like at Euro 2022, Sweden come up against England in the knockout stages, there will be plenty of familiar Chelsea faces on show.
That doesn’t faze her, but it might mean less communication between the players than normal.
‘It's fun because you want to win,’ Bjorn continued. ‘You get extra competitive. If you win, it's even more fun, but if you lose, not so much. You want to be the best, and you want to beat your club team-mates.
‘I think the group chat will go quiet during the tournament! We will see how it goes…’
Sweden’s first Euro 2025 match is against Denmark on 4 July.