The Swedish winger was a central part of Sonia Bompastor’s plans right from day one, when our new head coach arrived to take charge last summer, and her importance to a hugely successful season was underlined by a new two-year contract with Chelsea earlier this month.

Bompastor's decision to give Rytting Kaneryd a key role would pay dividends, as the 28-year-old rewarded the faith shown by the manager with some dazzling displays, often providing the creative spark for the Blues in arguably her best season since leaving her homeland in 2022 for west London.

‘I’ve learned a lot from Sonia,’ said the Swedish international, who has been called up by her country for this summer’s Euros.

‘From the first meeting I had with the staff it was super clear how she wanted to play. She’s a winner and that was clear from the beginning, that we want to win in every competition we compete in.

‘For me personally I’ve learned to be more direct in the way I play. I know that I play the best when I’m not overthinking stuff, just doing what I’m good at, and that is to be more direct in the way I play.

‘Of course it’s been a challenging season in so many different ways but I think my best games have been because of the staff believing in me and being super clear with what they expect from me.’

As Rytting Kaneryd reached new heights, so the did the rest of the team, as we put in an incredible undefeated domestic campaign to win the Women’s Super League, Women’s FA Cup and Women’s League Cup in 2025.

She explained: ‘It was different in many different ways. Just the fact that we have a new manager this year. For me also playing a key role this season, I feel like I’ve developed a lot both as a player and as a person. Looking back at the season it’s been a long one but it’s been challenging with ups and downs, both as a team and me as an individual player.

‘Both as a team and me as an individual we were very successful for the first six months. It was challenging during the winter but we always find a way to win and I think that’s such an incredible strength to have in this team.

‘I’m super proud of what we have achieved. Sometimes you don’t really have time to look back, you always look forward and want to win the next game and the next game, but sometimes I think it’s important to look back and see what you have actually achieved and be proud of it.’

It was also a landmark campaign for Rytting Kaneryd personally, as she made her 100th appearance for the Blues in her third season at the club. It came in dramatic circumstances too, as we triumphed 3-0 over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge to overturn a 2-0 first leg loss in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.

‘That is a big achievement,’ she continued. ‘I am super proud. Playing 100 games for Chelsea is just amazing in itself.

‘I think I’ve grown so much both as a player and as a person. Coming here from Sweden it was a big step and I think I learned a lot about my patience. I don’t really have any patience at all! But I had to learn to manage and control it and just enjoy every moment. I’ve really enjoyed every moment here.

‘Playing for this club is something special. I love this club and I love everything around it. It’s probably one of the biggest things I’ve ever achieved and I need to look back and be proud of it.

‘Last season I felt like I developed a lot and this season I developed even more. I started the season off really good and my role was super clear from the beginning.’

That development was evident on the pitch, with 2024/25 being Rytting Kaneryd’s most successful season in front of goal in English football so far, finding the net five times in 36 games for Chelsea.

However, both in terms of her own performances and the team’s success, the winger is never satisfied. Despite an impressive campaign, she is already thinking about how to improve further in 2025/26.

‘I always set goals and as an attacking player you always want to help the team to win, that’s about scoring goals and doing assists.

‘In the beginning of the season I felt really good. I felt like I got a lot of my strengths out on the pitch and that’s when I scored and did assists as well. Being more direct in the way I play I think.

‘Of course there’s been ups and downs, it’s been challenging, and I wish I could add even more goals this season. That’s something I learn from and need to improve and get better.

‘I’m never satisfied and I’m always striving for more. In this team I learn from every game, every training session, and I’m never happy.’