Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has reflected on her first year in Chelsea blue as we prepare to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League at Kingsmeadow this afternoon.

The 26-year-old joined the Blues last summer from Hacken in her native Sweden and helped us claim a domestic Double. She netted her first goal for the club in a 3-1 victory over this afternoon’s opponents in March.

A successful season at club level was followed by an impressive performance at the World Cup Down Under. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Zecira Musovic helped Sweden to a third-place finish and came home with a bronze medal to show for their efforts.

Three games into a brand new season, our Swedish winger looked back on some difficult fixtures from which we have emerged unbeaten. Our WSL title defence is very much in its infancy and Rytting Kaneryd believes we are taking positive steps at this early stage.

‘It’s been three tough games, for sure. The first one against Tottenham, I thought there were stages where we played really, really well, that was a good start for us – you never know how the first game is going to go. The next one against City was tough, so was West Ham.

‘Teams are really getting better and better, but I feel like we still got good results even when our play hasn’t been at our best. It’s still early and we are taking steps in every training session. I’m really looking forward to how the rest of the season goes.’

On a personal note, Rytting Kaneryd acknowledged her development as a player during her time at the club. It was a significant transition from Sweden to the WSL, but she is learning all the time from her surroundings.

‘I feel like I’m developing all the time in this environment. It was, of course, a challenging first year. I came from a club where I played almost all the minutes and had a huge part in it, a big role.

'I feel like it was a good first year. I felt important and like I took steps in every training session and every game. It’s a harder league to play in compared to Sweden.

‘I definitely feel like I’m a better player, and mentally I feel like a better person too. I feel like I’m able to tackle situations, not playing every game… that’s of course a disappointment, you want to play, be a big part, be on the pitch, but you learn a lot. I feel grateful for that.'

She opened her account for the club against Brighton at Kingsmeadow last season, and the Swede described the feeling of putting an end to the wait and getting off the mark towards the business end of our Double-winning campaign.

‘It was my first goal for Chelsea so it was a special moment, of course. I was waiting a long time for it. Brighton gave us a really tough game that day.

‘We created a lot of chances and then Sam [Kerr] gave me an opportunity to score my first goal, so it was just a case of putting it in.’

You can see the full interview with Johanna in the matchday programme, so be sure to pick up your copy at Kingsmeadow this afternoon.