Below is part of an interview Guro Reiten conducted for the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final programme, which can be bought on the day at Wembley Stadium connected by EE or ordered online here.
Guro Reiten has been a central part of Emma Hayes’ side since she joined the club in the summer of 2019. During her stay, the Norwegian has helped guide Chelsea to three consecutive league titles, and at the same time established herself as one of the greatest creative talents in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The 28-year-old can do it all, but when it comes to creating goals, nobody does it better, and she currently leads the league as the top assist provider this season.
She will be hoping her personal feats will help steer the team to a fourth-straight domestic title.
But before that, they face title rivals Manchester United in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final on Sunday.
Reiten said: “With the titles and the trophies that we’ve been winning the last few years, the pressure is there already from everyone else.
“We’ve shown it again and again that we’re willing to do the job, to put everything in, and we never give up.
“We know it’s not easy, but I know for a fact that we won’t underestimate them, because they are a great team. They are tough people, and they have been playing some really good football this year, so we have to be ready from the off.
“They have quality players all over the pitch. Full-backs that like to join in the attack, good crossers, and then they have Russo and Toone scoring goals. So, we have to stop all of them, not just one of them, because United are a team. We have to prepare for their threats, but also focus on us.”
When the two sides last met, Sam Kerr produced a sensational lob over Mary Earps to secure a 1-0 win that sent them top of the league.
The prolific Australian goalscorer joined the club shortly after Reiten ahead of the second half of the 2019-20 season, and ever since the two have shared the pitch, they have combined to devastating effect.
The 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ #WomensFACup was incredible! 🌟
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) May 9, 2023
Relive every moment ahead of the return to @wembleystadium on SUNDAY 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tCTHNPpXPR
The Reiten-Kerr partnership is something that Chelsea fans have gotten accustomed to this season, but Reiten reveals that the secret to their successful partnership is instinct.
She said: “Sam is a dream to play with, she’s amazing. She runs in behind and when I get to the line, she’s always in the box. We talk about where I should put my crosses in and her movements, but sometimes it’s just a feeling, I just put it up there and she’s always there. She has scored some amazing goals this season, and hopefully, she can score again.”
With the Final being a Wembley Stadium sell-out for the first time in the competition’s history, Reiten hopes that Chelsea can retain the trophy for the third time.
Some more silverware would only add to a glittering career with the Blues.
