Chelsea club captain Magda Eriksson is being prepared to be a future Blues manager.
Current gaffer Emma Hayes is convinced that her left-sided centre back is not only management material, but is a prime candidate to take charge at Chelsea at some point.
After the crucial 2-1 win at Kingsmeadow, knocking Manchester United off the top of the Women's Super League table, Hayes revealed that she is consciously preparing Eriksson for the role.
"You want your leader to mirror you, and she mirrors me in exactly the ways I want her to. We are side by side, we are together," declared Hayes, in a passionate endorsement of the 27-year-old Swede, who was presented with a framed shirt for reaching 100 appearances for the Blues in the recent Champions League win against Benfica.
"I have huge respect for Magda," said Hayes. "She'll go on to be a great manager in her career, so I often coach her with that in mind and often share with her how to handle certain situations when she's in my shoes. I've no doubt in my mind that Magda Eriksson will be a future Chelsea manager."
Beth England also received a framed shirt for joining the 100 Club.
In the low winter sun on Sunday, the Blues equalled the record of 31 consecutive WSL games unbeaten.
"To be undefeated for two years is unbelievable," said Hayes, pointing out, however, that in the modern era no team had managed to retain the league title.
Chelsea bossed the first half, but were only 1-0 up at the break thanks to Pernille Harder scoring after efforts by Millie Bright and Fran Kirby had been blocked.
Erin Cuthbert, player of the match, delivered the corner which led to the goal.
She's back to her persistent best with a free-ranging role in midfield.
"She had a job to do, and she did exactly what I asked her to do, to the letter, in exactly the way I wanted her to," said the manager. "You just don't find players like Erin Cuthbert any more, and for a player of her age to do what she does and do it with the intensity and application that she does is a dream!"
Cuthbert briefly lost her mojo following the disappointment of Scotland failing to qualify for the 2022 Euros. Psychologically, the midfielder seemed to slump in her next matches for Chelsea, but now has managed to regain her grit and determination.
Although Lauren James equalised for United after 55 minutes, it merely re-energised the home side. Four minutes later, Ann-Katrin Berger booted a ball upfield, and Kirby was on the chase. She outwitted United's two central defenders, ran at Mary Earps and fired past the keeper for 2-1.
"I take that goal seriously as I was a centre back myself," said United manager Casey Stoney afterwards. "For me, the goalkeeper should never get an assist! You have to stay switched on all the time. It'll be a lesson for our centre backs."
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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