Pernille Harder: Chelsea star dreaming big with club and country

Chelsea midfielder Pernille Harder has become accustomed to being a league champion. For the past six seasons she has won the title — whether that be in Denmark, Germany or England.

So it is not too surprising that, despite her team having trailed Arsenal in the Women's Super League table all campaign, she remains confident about her team's chances.

«We don't need to look at the table to know that at the moment Arsenal are in first spot,» the 29-year-old Dane told BBC Sport.

«Our goal is to win the title, and we know that to do that we have to win as many games as possible. That's just what we focus on — to win the games and how to win the games.»

The Blues, who lost their opening match of the campaign to the Gunners, faced a difficult few weeks this winter which saw them win just one game in five in all competitions, while top scorer Sam Kerr departed to play in the Asian Cup with Australia.

After that sticky period, Emma Hayes' side got back on track with a victory over West Ham in the league, and have since followed that up with comprehensive wins in the FA Cup and League Cup. They go into Sunday's match against Manchester City with a spring in their step.

«It was a tough end to 2021, so yes, the confidence has come back. It's important to win games and get this confidence,» Harder said.

«The games in 2022 have really helped. Also bear in mind that we were missing lots of players — because of the Asian Cup and also because of injuries — so all the players who have been available in this period have been doing really, really well, and really stepped up.

»It gives a lot of confidence to the squad."

Capturing Harder — who came second in the Ballon d'Or in 2018 — from Wolfsburg at the start of last season was a statement move