Chelsea Women make Johanna Rytting Kaneryd their fifth signing

Just a few weeks before the Chelsea Women kick off their preseason in the United States against Lyon, Emma Hayes adds another depth piece to the three-time defending WSL champions. While the men’s team just beginning to add reinforcements over the last few weeks, Hayes has already secured her fifth signing of the summer. Swedish international Johanna Rytting Kaneryd heads to Kingsmeadow following a sensational season in the Swedish top flight at BK Hacken FF.

Kaneryd played in every game in the European Championship for Sweden, starting in two and playing mainly on the right wing for manager Peter Gerhardsson. It is the second attack-minded signing of the summer for the Blues as they look to add even more versatility to an attacking unit that is looking to contend with the best of the best in Europe. It is truly an embarrassment of riches for Hayes as the Blues are rolling through the transfer window, adding even more to its arsenal of an already dominant team domestically.

Chelsea Women make their fifth signing in Johanna Rytting Kaneryd

Hayes may not be done doing business, but the acquisition of Kaneryd is yet another sign of intention to the WSL that Chelsea is aiming for that coveted fourth consecutive title. Kaneryd has played her entire professional career in Sweden, collecting four goals last season for Goteborg FC, which was second on the team that finished fourth in the Swedish first division. She has been on a team in the top four of the Swedish top flight for the past four seasons, including winning the league with Rosengard in 2019.

After the completion of yet another signing to the defending WSL champions, Hayes expressed her thoughts on Kaneryd, stating,

"“We’ve been watching Johanna develop over the last 12-18 months and she has had an unbelievable season last year in Sweden … She’s extremely quick, direct, a great age and she’s the profile player we’ve been looking for … Johanna will bring another dynamic to the team and we are really looking forward to her career with us at Chelsea.”"

During the majority of her career, Kaneryd has played on the right side of the pitch, in support of the striker playing higher up the field. Depending on the formation that Hayes sets her side up in, Kaneryd could play as one of the three strikers at the top of the formation, on the right side of a four or even in a five-player midfield. Her ambitious tendencies provide the Blues with yet another threat to any opposition’s back line.

She has been in the top two for goals scored on her club team during the past two seasons including last season, where she possessed the highest +/- net rating per 90 minutes at +2.60 goals. Whenever she is on the pitch, Kaneryd is going to make an impact. With the number of competitions that this team is going to compete in, she is going to be in the rotation with players like Katerina Svitkova, Lauren James, or even someone like Niamh Charles.

Following signing with the club Kaneryd expressed her delight to finally be in London, stating:

"“I’m delighted to join this amazing club! I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and staff and start working on our goals for the season!”"

Kaneryd is a spark plug, and while it may take time to adjust to the speed of club football in England, her creativity will serve her well. She adds even more lethal, forward-thinking players to a team that has led the WSL in goals in two out of the last three seasons. It is not only her pace that is one of her best traits on and off the ball, it is her composure in the final third that is going to unlock a whole new element to the Blues’ attack.

While she is clinical in front of the net, Kaneryd has continued to be a player who keeps her head on a swivel, looking for the best opportunity to punish her opposition. She is always willing to try something new in order to frustrate a defender, and with her pace on the pitch, Kaneryd can turn a half chance into a full one. Some may question the competition she played against in Sweden and how this may translate to the WSL, but Kaneryd has been a mainstay in the Swedish National Team. She has played in the Champions League throughout her career, including being a part of a squad that lost a nail-bitter to a mighty Wolfsburg side in 2014. In total, Kaneryd has played in eight total Champions League matches, and 10 if qualifiers count. She has netted three goals in those outings, making the starting XI in each of those contests.

Kaneryd is teammates with current Chelsea defender and captain Magdalena Eriksson on the national team. While she only has 20 caps under her belt, she is often looked upon as one of the next leaders of the team at the age of just 25 years old. Preseason will demonstrate a solid gauge of where Kaneryd is in terms of the depth chart on the team, but for now, her development in her home country last season earned her an opportunity such as this one.

Kaneryd could start many games this season, or come off the bench to ignite the Blues’ attack when they need it. Her flexibility and potential to grow into an even better player make Kaneryd the perfect individual to bolster this midfield that needed more creative players contributing in a deeper position, behind the world’s most dangerous striker in Sam Kerr.