Erin Cuthbert: Chelsea midfielder on ‘tough love’ and title races

Hunting down silverware has become normal for 27-year-old Cuthbert, who has spent almost a decade at Chelsea, winning 16 major trophies in the process.

She has amassed more than 150 appearances but enjoys increased competition for her place in the team.

“You can’t sit still because all the other teams are coming up. Other players are coming for your position,” said Cuthbert.

“It matters every day in the training sessions and how you apply yourself. You’ve got competition in every team.

“We’ve got a big squad but as long as it’s healthy competition for places, then it’s going to get you places.”

Cuthbert has developed as a player during her nine-and-a-half-year spell at Chelsea, but says the thing she has learned the most is to be “more direct” when communicating with staff and team-mates.

“I probably learned that under [former manager] Emma Hayes because of how brutal she was, but also caring at the same time,” she added.

“It really was a bit of tough love and I think you can still care for somebody and want the best for all your team-mates and be direct in your communication.

“Even with Sonia Bompastor, if you’re not playing a game, you have to go and have that tough conversation because it makes you feel so much better afterwards.

“In the first few years under Emma, I was maybe scared to go to the manager’s office but I wanted to know what I could be doing to be playing more.”