Cuthbert Interview: Leaving Home at 18 to Chase Her Dream, Wearing the Blues Captain's Armband Ten Years Later

Erin Cuthbert has officially become the new captain of Chelsea Women. In a club interview, the Scotland midfielder reflected on her ten-year journey with the Blues, recalling how she left her hometown for London at 18 to chase her dream, the uncertainty she felt when she first joined the team, the moments when she cried from homesickness, and her feelings upon learning she would become captain.

Nearly ten years ago, 18-year-old Cuthbert said goodbye to her family and left familiar Scotland for London, a huge sacrifice. At the time, women's football was far less popular than it is today. Cuthbert had already spent one and a half years at university but chose to interrupt her studies for her professional football dream. The sadness of leaving her family became motivation to move forward, and she was determined to make that sacrifice worthwhile. Over the decade, championships, national team appearances and countless honors followed, and her dedication made her a natural choice for captain.

Trial memories: Being substituted and thinking her dream was over, then receiving Chelsea's offer at Heathrow Airport

Cuthbert recalled how her trial opportunity began: at the time, she represented Glasgow City against Chelsea in the Champions League. She was substituted during the match and thought her professional dream had ended. A few weeks later, she received an invitation to London for a three- to four-day trial.

"I told my parents. They were happy for me, but they were also worried inside. I had already planned out my life, and coming to a big city at 18 meant I had to give up many things. During the trial, we played against a men's team. At first, nobody wanted to pass the ball to me, so I had to earn my teammates' respect through my movement and ball handling. Gradually, everyone became willing to give me the ball."

Just as she arrived at Heathrow Airport and was preparing to fly back to Scotland, Chelsea's contract offer email arrived in her inbox. However, the club had just signed several big-name players including Dunn, Bachmann and Mjelde. Hayes clearly told her that she would only train with the first team and would need to compete for match opportunities with the reserve team. But through hard work, Cuthbert never played for the reserves and directly earned the trust of coaches and teammates. Still, her path toward her dream was not without difficulties.

The hardships of moving to England alone: Missing home and being unable to hold back tears while listening to a song

"I cried many times. I remember going to see Jessie Glynne's concert with my sister. When 'Take Me Home' played, I completely broke down. I love Scotland very much and miss the life I had with my family."

"Giving up everything to chase a dream is incredibly difficult. I knew that even if everything went wrong, my parents would always open their door to welcome me home. But I also understood that my leaving broke their hearts too. That sadness pushed me forward, and I knew I had to achieve something to make it all worthwhile."

After arriving in London, she lived with England players, Blundell and Ji So-yun among others, creating many happy memories, and she also thanked Kirby for teaching her how to cook. Chelsea supporters also helped her through the adjustment period, with fans creating a dedicated chant for her early on.

"My debut was at Wheatsheaf Park, which was a long time ago. Back then I was nowhere near the level of the team's stars, I was just the ordinary Erin, but the fans accepted me without reservation. Not seeing my family in the stands was naturally disappointing, but hearing songs calling my name continuously filled me with warmth and eased my homesickness. Chelsea is a second home to me."

Learning she would become captain: Surprised and delighted, as her mother called her "Captain" immediately

"Sonia called me into the office and told me I would become the official club captain, asking if I was willing to accept it. I immediately said of course I was. The captain selection involved opinions from all the players, and the coaching staff also took part in the evaluation. Receiving recognition from my teammates is a huge honor. Honestly, it felt unreal, and I was incredibly surprised."

Her family's reaction after hearing the news was amusing. "When my mum called, she didn't start with hello anymore. She directly called me 'Captain' and always jokes about it. My dad only casually said 'that's good,' but I know he is extremely proud inside. That is just his way of expressing emotions."

Message to new fans: Come to Stamford Bridge, and you will definitely want to return

In the new season, Chelsea Women will use Stamford Bridge as their home ground. The team welcomes new signings and a new coach as it begins a new era. As captain, Cuthbert invited fans who have never watched a women's football match in person to attend.

"If you have never watched one of our matches live, I can guarantee that after coming once, you will want to come again. Sitting in the stands and cheering for the team becomes addictive, and you will be immersed in the bond between supporters. Celebrating a goal with strangers is an unmatched feeling. Even if you come alone, you will never be alone inside the stadium."