How long and intense was Chelsea’s interest?
I have been in contact with the club for practically the last 4 years. The offer to transfer came for the first time during my time at Slavia, but in the middle of the season I simply didn’t want to leave in a great year, and Slavia didn’t release me in the summer. Only the transfer to West Ham came out, so now the circle of several years is closing to a certain extent.
| The transfer through the eyes of Viktor Kolář, head of the football section of the SPORT INVEST agency |
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| Kateřina Svitková has long been ranked among the best Czech soccer players, she is, in the best sense of the word, an ambassador for women’s soccer in the Czech Republic. By signing a contract with Chelsea, he takes his exceptional career to the next level. After great seasons at West Ham, when she was able to quickly adapt to the highest quality football, she becomes part of one of the most successful and traditional football brands in the world. The Chelsea women’s team is a six-time English champion in the last 11 years, currently they have won the competition three times in a row, last year they appeared in the final of the Champions League. It is an imaginary pinnacle of the club’s career and at the same time a huge opportunity for further promotion and development of women’s football in the Czech Republic. |
At West Ham, you finally made a great name for yourself on the Isles, didn’t you?
All my life I follow the motto that what is meant to happen will happen. It is difficult to estimate how my career would develop if I moved from Slavia straight to Chelsea, in any case, I am now coming as a better and more experienced player. West Ham is a great club, I will always be grateful for the chance to try English football in their shirt. However, it is still a club where you can surprise within women’s football. Whereas at Chelsea you simply have to win. The intermediate step between the Czech environment and the big club of the highest format was certainly beneficial.
Chelsea FC Women are delighted to confirm the signing of Katerina Svitkova on a three-year deal. ✍️
Welcome to Chelsea, @Svitkova10! ????
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) July 5, 2022
How will you look back on West Ham?
Always only for the good. We did well in sports, in the league for the first time in history we finished in the top half of the table, we played in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, we beat Manchester City for the first time. The club took excellent care of me even when I was out of health for 5 months. I also learned to play in a new position and I believe that this greater versatility will also come in handy now.
In what position do you come to Chelsea? For traditional central midfield or for the region that you played at West Ham?
We’ll see. I continue to feel more natural in the middle, but I am ready to play where I can help the team the most.
You met the Chelsea women’s team as opponents, you are watching the whole scene. What can you actually look forward to the most?
Above all, for the chance to play in the Champions League again, Chelsea also has a huge ambition to win the entire competition. I look forward to the quality in every training session and to the great atmosphere. The women’s team has already managed to sell out Stamford Bridge, on the other hand, the team’s management is resisting a complete move to the main stadium from Kingsmeadow. The current stadium can hold only four thousand fans, but it creates a fantastic and stormy backdrop.
How would you characterize the current Chelsea team?
It is similar to the men’s team in the sense that it is a national mix with representatives of individual countries in practically all positions. Of the most famous names, they are certainly the top scorer Samantha Kerr, the best player in Europe Pernille Harder or Fran Kirby, who is really someone like the Messi of women’s football.
What awaits you now before the start of the season?
We already have an individual training plan, preparation starts on July 25. Communication is at a high level, all data from individual preparation is immediately evaluated and we are in regular contact with the implementation team. It’s an incredibly efficient system.
After all, a large team from the media and marketing department was also present at your presentation.
I saw how spectacularly the previous reinforcements were presented, but the reality still exceeded my expectations. I really felt like a movie star. In any case, the people from the club explained to me that they use the same procedure and shot for the women as when introducing the men’s reinforcements. It can be seen that women’s football in England is simply a concept. I’m glad to be a part of it.
