Coming back from months on the sidelines is a large problem for any footballer. To do it twice in succession is a frightening prospect — however Chelsea’s Nathalie Bjorn has overcome the percentages to just do that.
The defender suffered a hamstring harm in December 2025, holding her out for 3 months. She made her comeback throughout the then-named League Cup last towards Manchester United in March – however lasted simply 120 seconds till she picked up one other harm and was pressured off.
“It was actually troublesome having your comeback, getting subbed out after two minutes and then you definately win a trophy, however you are crying on the identical time and also you’re joyful. It was a bizarre curler coaster of feelings that day and actually troublesome to deal with,” Bjorn solely instructed Sky Sports activities of that day.
This time, it was her calf – and begun the method of rehabilitation as soon as once more. This time, it sidelined her for six months.
“The primary harm was actually troublesome,” the Sweden worldwide mirrored. “I’ve had longer accidents earlier than, so I felt assured within the assist I received round right here. I felt assured in myself and my physique.
“It isn’t good to overlook video games, however I used to be very hopeful. I had an excellent rehab, I used to be aiming for the League Cup last and considering ‘in direction of the top of the season, I will be again.’
“Then that did not go in response to plan. I felt fairly early within the recreation towards Man Utd that ‘oh this feels completely different’.
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Highlights of the Girls’s League Cup last between Chelsea and Manchester United.
“The second time round, it was a extremely powerful rehab, I will be sincere. There have been days the place I felt like ‘I can not do that. I do not wish to be within the health club. I do not wish to be right here’.
“However I had actually good assist from Andy Walling, who was my physio right here at Chelsea. We had a extremely good relationship and he allowed me to really feel all of the feelings that I needed to really feel, which actually helped, so I might have days the place I felt like ‘I simply wish to go dwelling’ and he was like ‘that is fully nice. You try this’.
“He actually helped me and together with my team-mates, who got here within the health club asking ‘how are you? How’s it going?’, nevertheless it was plenty of ups and downs.
Sunday twenty fifth October 11:45am
Kick off 12:00pm
“I did assume ‘am I going to return again in the identical method that I used to be earlier than?’. There had been doubts in my thoughts throughout my rehab and studying find out how to stroll, studying find out how to run, studying find out how to do every part from scratch, as a result of the season earlier than was in all probability the perfect season of my profession.
“It was going from the best of highest to the bottom of lowest.”
And Bjorn does really feel like she is getting again to her greatest, including: “I really feel sturdy. I really feel good within the [training] periods and good within the video games that I have been managing to play.
“After this era of being out for thus lengthy, I actually discovered find out how to admire my physique and day-to-day coaching. Individuals at all times ask me ‘what are you trying ahead to?’ and I am simply joyful to be proper right here proper now.
“That is been the most important studying level for me on this 10 months of rehab is to take pleasure in every single day.”
Bjorn made her Chelsea newest return on the finish of September towards Birmingham, approaching as an 87th minute substitute.
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Highlights of the Girls’s Tremendous League match between Chelsea and Birmingham Metropolis.
“The reception was unreal,” she mentioned of the sport. “I did not perceive it was for me at first, however then after I began trying round and I noticed my teammates me smiling, I assumed ‘oh OK, that is for me’.
“I received a bit shy, nevertheless it was one of many highlights in my profession, and my mum and my sister have been there as nicely.
“The emotional feeling after was extra like ‘I did it, like I am lastly again. I have been by hell and again and I am right here now’. All the times the place you do not wish to do your rehab, every single day once you’re doubting your self, it is all value it ultimately. That simply got here washing over me. It was a bit bizarre, nevertheless it was wonderful.”
‘I lead by being dependable’
This summer time, Bjorn was additionally named as considered one of Chelsea’s vice captains alongside Lucy Bronze, supporting new captain Erin Cuthbert. It helps, Bjorn says, that all of them have completely different traits as leaders that make them crew – confirmed by a persona take a look at.
Reflecting on her personal qualities, the 29-year-old mentioned: “I am a really calm chief exterior the pitch. I am very social, I see everybody, I feel I am very simple to speak to.
“On the pitch, I wish to be dependable. I wish to maintain my normal excessive always. I haven’t got to be the one who’s making essentially the most tackles or scoring essentially the most objectives. I at all times put the crew in entrance of me and I no matter function I’ve, I’ll play it to one hundred pc.
“I feel that’s my method of main the crew. I wish to be the particular person they will depend on.”
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Highlights of the Girls’s Tremendous League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
How Chelsea are studying from final season
Bjorn’s return has coincided with an uptick in Chelsea’s type and performances. The 2025/26 season was a take a look at after an unbeaten earlier marketing campaign – Sonia Bompastor’s first on the membership – however the Blues are unbeaten in all competitions this time period.
Chelsea have additionally conceded the fewest objectives this season (3) – one thing pleasing for a defender like Bjorn.
“Since we got here on this summer time, the depth and the best way we apply throughout the [training] periods has been good,” she mentioned.
“To drive that high quality on a regular basis, it actually helps us. There are additionally world-class gamers on this setting, so each coaching is essential and it is troublesome. We problem one another rather well.
“From final season, we have managed to construct extra relationships to know one another and what every participant wants in sure conditions or throughout the recreation.
“The primary season when Sonia got here and we went unbeaten, every part was excessive and we have been residing our greatest lives, we additionally felt like ‘there’ll come like a bump within the street and the way are we going to deal with that state of affairs?’.
“Final season was a take a look at for us in lots of points and it is the way you come out from these conditions that proves how sturdy you’re as a crew.
Nathalie Bjorn has beforehand scored towards Crystal Palace in 2024
“It is crucial that we study from these video games and the errors that we made. What can we do higher so we do not find yourself in that state of affairs once more?
“That additionally displays a bit bit on the Aston Villa recreation. We did not get that time, we all know we had many alternatives to place the sport to mattress, so take that as a studying after which try to be higher.”
Dealing with Crystal Palace this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities, will likely be one other alternative not just for Bjorn to get extra minutes below her belt, however for Chelsea to proceed their unbeaten begin to the season. The Eagles have already proven their competitiveness, drawing 0-0 with Arsenal on the Emirates in September.
“It sounds so cliché, however every part can occur in soccer,” Bjorn remarked. “Like we are saying in Sweden, ‘the ball is spherical’, so every part can occur. We have to set the tone immediately from the start, put them below strain and play our recreation.”
Watch Crystal Palace vs Chelsea within the WSL stay on Sky Sports activities Combine from 11.45am on Sunday; kick off 12pm. Watch in-game clips and free match highlights throughout Sky Sports activities’ digital platforms shortly after full-time.