Johanna Rytting Kaneryd eager to make most of second appearance in FA Cup final
The Sweden international, signed from from BK Hacken in August 2022, was an unused substitute when the Blues beat Manchester United 1-0 to lift the trophy two seasons ago.
Rytting Kaneryd has since gone on to become an integral part of Sonia Bompastor's squad – making 21 appearances during Chelsea's unbeaten Women's Super League title-winning campaign as well as lifting the League Cup.
Now a key player in the Chelsea frontline, the 28-year-old is determined not to let the occasion pass anyone by when they face holders United back at Wembley on Sunday.
'It was such a big experience coming from Sweden – I didn't really understand how big it was to play for a final at Wembley,' Rytting Kaneryd said.
'But I realised the way everyone was talking about the FA Cup, that it was huge.
'I realised pretty quick that this is something really, really big to win – and just the fact to play at Wembley, that is what you dream about to play in a big stadium.
A post shared by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (@johannakaneryd)
'I remember just walking out there before the game, it was like 'wow, just take this in, take a moment because this is what a young Johanna dreamed about'.'
Rytting Kaneryd added: 'The fact that we are here, that we are now going to play another final at Wembley, (we must) use that because it is big.
'We have to really enjoy and take the opportunity, because it is not every day you play a final at Wembley.
'We really want to end this season on a high, so I am very much looking forward to it.'
Rytting Kaneryd feels her game is now very much at a different level compared to the 2023 final.
A stunning strike from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd 🤩#BarclaysWSL @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/kdZoCHNxfu
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) September 25, 2024
'A lot has happened since that day. It was my first year in Chelsea and I have developed a lot since,' she said.
'The first year was a lot about just learning. It was a big step coming from a Swedish team to Chelsea, so it was all about trying to stay positive and to learn every day.
'I feel like I have improved a lot. It has been about working hard, taking every training session, every game for what it is and trying to always be better.
'I am never, ever happy – I always want to do more, so I definitely feel like I have been growing as a player and a person.'
Chelsea secured a sixth straight WSL title with a 1-0 win away to United last month.
One year ago today, @manutdwomen were crowned #AdobeWomensFACup champions for the first time in their history 🏆
Will they make it two on the bounce this weekend? 👀 pic.twitter.com/7YpI3W3zQB
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) May 12, 2025
Rytting Kaneryd, though, insists there can be no sense of complacency when they take on Marc Skinner's well-drilled side again at Wembley.
'Man United is a really good team, with really good individual players as well,' she said.
'We have to watch out for them and we know it is going to be a physical game, but we need to believe in the way we know we can play.
'Even if we won the league away playing against Man United, we were still not happy with the performance.
'That says a lot about the mentality we have in this team – we always want to do do better.'
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