When Millie Bright’s diagonal pass drifted towards the far post, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was perfectly positioned to unleash a stunning volley past Tottenham’s goalkeeper Becky Spencer. This third goal in Chelsea’s exhilarating 5-2 victory over Spurs was crowned the Women’s Super League’s goal of the month for October.

“A few months ago, scoring like that wouldn’t have been as natural for me as it is now,” Rytting Kaneryd reflects, sitting by Chelsea’s indoor 3G pitch before their upcoming match against Liverpool. “I’ve been working on being more direct, finding the right spaces at the right moments, and positioning myself more at the back post. The coaches have been very clear about this being an area for improvement.”

Confidence played a significant role in her decision to take the shot. This goal against Tottenham wasn’t her first to catch attention this season. Her first-half goal in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the start of the season set the tone for her impressive performance. That goal, where she cut onto her left foot before striking the ball, was also something she had been advised to work on.

“In my first meeting with Sonia [Bompastor] and Cami [assistant coach Camille Abily], they emphasized the importance of using my left foot more. I’ve been practicing that diligently. It’s not something that just happened; there’s been a lot of hard work behind it. Before the Aston Villa game, I did repetitions with just my left foot, and I felt good going into the match.”

After the celebrations, Rytting Kaneryd glanced at Abily, conveying, “Yeah, I get it, it’s working.” She doesn’t want to be a predictable player, which is her worst fear.

The immediate satisfaction of seeing all the extra training pay off was crucial, boosting her confidence and strengthening her bond with the new coaches. “It’s always reassuring to have the coaches’ support, which makes you feel very confident,” she says. “I’m just happy right now, and that makes playing… easier.”

Her current form isn’t a surprise to her. “Last year was a big learning year for me, and this season, I was very clear from the start about what I wanted to achieve on the pitch: to be more direct, score more goals, and get more assists. I’m not a different player, but maybe a Jojo 2.0.”

The desire for instant results hasn’t always made her journey easy. Emma Hayes, who has since moved on to manage the US women’s team, once said, “I wasn’t happy about it in the moment,” recalls the Swede. “She was right. It took a year to settle in at Chelsea and learn everything. It was a huge step from what I was used to in Sweden. The first year wasn’t about struggling, but mentally, it was tough because I’m not a patient person. I want everything to come quickly.”

Rytting Kaneryd’s development shouldn’t surprise anyone. She grew up in Kolsva, a town with a population of less than 3,000, 97 miles west of Stockholm, playing football with her twin brother and coached by her father. At 12, she was playing senior women’s football. “It was division two,” she says. “I was playing with my mum’s friends, which is crazy when you think about it. I was a kid, but I learned a lot and it was physically challenging. I’ve always been quick, so I managed to avoid most physical duels.”

At 15, she moved to Stockholm’s Tyresö, experiencing a culture shock. “I’ve always been clear about what I want, and I’m grateful for my family’s support in letting me leave at 15, but it was challenging. There were many nights calling my dad crying.”

At Tyresö, she learned a lot from playing with legends like Marta, Christen Press, and Caroline Seger. At 17, she was an unused substitute in the 2014 Champions League final loss to Wolfsburg. “Thinking about it now, it’s pretty insane,” she says. “Marta is one of those players I’ve always admired. Playing with her and seeing her daily is something I’m very thankful for. Even though I was young and not especially confident, I learned a lot about what it takes to be at the top level.”

This season, Chelsea has won all seven games in the league and Champions League. Despite a new manager, coaching changes, and new players, their form is formidable. They’ve scored 20 goals in five league games with 13 different goalscorers. Manchester City and Tottenham, next in line, have scored 12 each across six games. It feels like something special is happening, and the elusive Champions League trophy is not an unrealistic goal.

“If there’s a time to win it, it’s this year,” says Rytting Kaneryd. “The squad is incredible. Emma did a great job giving young players like Aggie [Beever-Jones] and Maika [Hamano] minutes. Everyone in the squad can start and feel comfortable.

“A big factor is our unselfishness. That’s why we’ve had so many goalscorers. I’ve always been unselfish, but it’s good to have a mix. You can be too unselfish: you have to do what’s best for the team but also trust yourself. That’s what we’re all getting right now, and that’s what I’m getting right now.”

Chelsea has a crucial few weeks ahead that could solidify their title credentials. After Liverpool on Sunday, they travel to Celtic in the Champions League, then face Manchester City and Celtic at Stamford Bridge, followed by a home game against Manchester United. Stamford Bridge feels like home now.

“The more games we play, the better,” Rytting Kaneryd says. “Hopefully, the fans show up and we can put on a great show for them. I love Kingsmeadow, it’s a nice arena and you’re close to the fans, but Stamford Bridge… it’s something else.”

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