Here's to you Magda Eriksson

Chelsea loves you more than you will know, wo-oh-oh...

’Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all.’

Canto XXVII of In Memoriam A. H. H., Alfred Lord Tennyson

Those that follow me on Twitter will know I subscribe to the view that the word ‘legend’ is often overused in football. The term ‘legend’ should be reserved for that pantheon of players who have carved extraordinary legacies at a club. The players that have become so synonymous with one era, they not only transcend it but define it.

Magdalena Eriksson is one such legend. She is perhaps the herald of the era that marks Chelsea’s ascent from a strong domestic club to a European powerhouse on the women’s stage.

When she arrived, the Women’s Super League was just starting to make waves in terms of popularity and Chelsea was emerging as a force to be reckoned with. As she leaves the club, Chelsea sits at the pinnacle of English football and now has emerged as one of the most dominant clubs in the world.

I could spend this piece eulogising at length about Eriksson’s leadership or her professionalism. She sets the example on and off the pitch. When a goal is conceded, she is first to bark encouragement. When a lead is to be defended, she marshalls and orders her teammates like a great military general in the midst of battle. When a goal is scored, she is always amongst the first to celebrate but still always ready to remind players to focus. In times of struggle or difficulty, she has always stepped up to the parapet to speak internally and externally about issues, with candour, dignity and honesty. It is no surprise that Emma Hayes believes one day she will manage the football club. You can absolutely see the makings of a phenomenal manager or coach in everything that she does.

I could alternatively go a different route and talk about her defensive ability. The fact she reads the game two or three steps ahead of everyone else, always positioning herself in the right place to intercept or block. I could reference her passing abilities which so often mark the start of Chelsea attacks and have been integral at times in bypassing and breaking down stubborn defences. Her ability to always somehow win flick headers at set-pieces to present teammates with easy tap-ins. Her surprisingly underrated crossing which more often than not results in quality chances. The ability to time slide tackles and standing tackles to perfection to the point some players don’t even bother trying to take her on because they simply know they will not pass her. The flexibility to play in a 3-ATB, 4-ATB or 5-ATB system without breaking a sweat. In so many ways, Magda Eriksson typifies the best elements of a modern central defender.

Magda Eriksson is synonymous with success on the pitch at Chelsea. 4 WSL trophies (and counting). 4 FA Cups. 2 Continental Cups - including the club’s first-ever victory. A Community Shield. I would argue, however, that Magda’s greatest success comes off the field. She has shown a generation of people, young and old alike, that regardless of colour, creed, religion, sexuality or gender, ultimately love is love and rightly it is the most important thing. Her openness about her relationship with Pernille Harder - who I will address in a separate article because she is also leaving - has been hugely empowering for so many people. It has shown them they do not need to hide who they are. It has helped them be proud of their identity.

Most importantly, it has started the tiniest small steps towards the world’s game becoming more tolerant and accepting of everyone. It’s impossible to really quantify this, of course, but the number of people I know who cite Magda Eriksson as an inspiration in that regard is astounding and long may it continue. Everyone deserves to be happy and live in a world where they are accepted because love is love in every form.

There are 3 real moments to me that encapsulate Magda Eriksson at Chelsea. I could pick the numerous title wins, crushing victories, sensational scorelines and goals. But I’m going actually to start off-piste. One of the most crushing moments of recent history is the Champions League Final against Barcelona. Eriksson like so many players was extremely upset afterwards. Yet, who was the first person to step up and brave the cameras, apologise to the fans for the display and vow to do better? The captain, Magda Eriksson. It’s easy to be a leader when things are going well. It’s during your darkest and hardest moments that the true champions of leadership emerge.

Onto a happier memory. The re-arranged 2021 FA Cup Final. The first big ‘showpiece’ at Wembley after Coronavirus. And to this date, one of the most emphatic, brilliant Chelsea performances I have ever watched. I have a great deal of respect for Arsenal FC Women, particularly for the likes of the legendary Vik Akers OBE because, without him, it likely means no Emma Hayes OBE. However, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to see Chelsea beat them. They absolutely annihilated them - it finished 3-0 but it could easily have been 9 or 10 saves from some brilliant goalkeeping.

In winning that trophy, Magda Eriksson captained the club to our first-ever Domestic Treble. The sheer joy she showed that day as she celebrated with the fans is something that will always perennially be etched into my memories. She knew how long the fans had waited to properly enjoy a moment celebrating all the success that the team had over the last 12 months, most of which was unfortunately behind closed doors or at a distance due to Coronavirus.

The final of the three memories is the most recent one. Earlier this year, some people were - unfairly - critical of Eriksson’s performances. With her contract coming up, she turned into a scapegoat for many people. Some even had the temerity to question whether her heart was still in it. Her performances first away, and then at home to Lyon typified exactly what the club meant to her. It was gutsy, it was never-say-die, and it was backs-to-wall counterpunching.

And you know what? It f*cking worked. For the first time ever, Chelsea managed to topple the almighty Olympique Lyonnais, the Queens of Europe, the most dominant team over the last decade. After the game, exhausted, in the pouring rain, Magda Eriksson was leading the cheers at Stamford Bridge and chanting for the fans that stayed to honour the team. She was belting out the club anthems and chants with the same passion and enthusiasm that would match any veteran fan because she 100% grew to love Chelsea Football Club, the fans and everything it represents. The Champions League had a lot of heartache for Magda at Chelsea in various forms, and I was so happy to see her get her moment at Stamford Bridge to properly enjoy a European night.

Of course, this isn’t necessarily a permanent goodbye. Magda Eriksson might return to the club in another team’s colours. She’ll be venerated and adored in exactly the same way as she is now, such is her status. It’s a measure of what a sensational person she is that she will probably be embarrassed by all the praise and reminiscing that will come her way over the forthcoming days. She will just want to focus on the job, securing that final WSL title. This again, speaks volumes for her phenomenal presence of her as a leader.

And on a personal level, I have to say thank you to Magda Eriksson. Not only for allowing me to enjoy so much success as a fan of the club particularly in some difficult times. But also on a deeper level. I have become extremely good friends with 2 people due to conversations that started about how good Magda Eriksson is. I won’t embarrass them by naming them, they know who they are.

On a wider level, the Eriksson era is when I started to consistently go to Kingsmeadow, to soak in the matchday atmosphere, enjoy some amazing moments with some great people and most importantly, keep the Blue flag flying high. And that is something else I will forever be thankful for.

Sunday will be an emotional time as Kingsmeadow says farewell to an absolute icon. But again, it’s only right to say: Here’s to you Magda Eriksson, Chelsea loves you more than you will know.