Chloe Sarwie embracing England opportunities

For most teenagers, making their senior debut would be the standout moment of a season. For Chloe Sarwie, it was just one chapter in a remarkable year.

The Chelsea left-back has enjoyed a whirlwind rise over the last 12 months. Still only 17, she has made her BWSL and UEFA Women's Champions League debuts, signed her first professional contract, and helped the Young Lionesses win the WU23 European Competition while becoming a regular starter.

Now, another milestone awaits as she prepares for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Poland this September.

"It's been surreal," admits Sarwie.

"Honestly, I didn't even expect to be training with the first team, let alone play multiple matches, sign my pro deal and also be called up to multiple England age groups above my age.

"It's been a massive year of learning, and I think that learning has really helped me become who I am now. I'm just forever grateful for every opportunity I've been given."

Raised in Clapham in south London, Sarwie's journey into football almost didn’t happen.

"Ballet was my mum's dream. I wasn't really interested in football.”

But it was watching her older brother play football when she was a young girl that changed everything.

"I was just dribbling on the side of the pitch while watching him play," she explained. "Then I started playing in the park and one of the coaches came up to me and said, 'you should be playing for an academy by now.'”

Sarwie joined Chelsea’s academy at age nine, as she takes up the story speaking from the WU20s base in the USA for their summer games in July.

“From there, I’ve just been seeing where football would take me," she added.

"I wasn't taking it seriously back then because ballet was still my priority. But after that, I started to enjoy it more. That's when I knew that I could actually make this like a big thing in my life.”

Last season brought countless memories, but two in particular stand out: "Either my Champions League debut or getting player of the match for the WU23s. Those two moments were really special."

The latter, awarded as England beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the U23 European Competition semi-finals in April, was made even sweeter after overcoming a difficult start.

"Halfway through the match I was upset because I wasn't happy with my performance. But the support from the girls really lifted me and helped me play better throughout the second half. That's how I ended up getting the award."

That willingness to learn has also shaped her England journey. Sarwie was just 16 when she received her first call-up to the England WU23s squad – a daunting prospect given the older and more experienced players around her.

"My first U23s call-up was really nerve-wracking," she recalls.

"I knew it was a time where I just had to learn from players who had been standout performers for their clubs.

"They always told me to be yourself and don't be afraid to make mistakes on the pitch. That's really helped me carry myself a certain way and gave me the confidence to express myself."

Even with the faith shown in her by coaches at both Chelsea and England at such a young age, Sarwie admits self-belief didn't always come naturally.

"The amount of trust they've put in me is incredible because, at times, I didn't even trust myself for those moments. The girls around me gave me confidence in myself and helped me play how I wanted to play."

Now her attention turns to the biggest stage of her young career. England's WU20 squad are currently fine-tuning their preparations in the United States before heading to Poland for the World Cup, and Sarwie is determined to make the most of every second.

"Every camp is a privilege," she said. "So to be playing in such a massive competition is incredible. Even if I only get one minute at the tournament, it'll be an amazing experience and there'll be so many learnings to take from it."

England's last appearance at the competition in 2018 produced a bronze medal, with half of that squad going on to earn senior Lionesses call ups under Sarina Wiegman. It's a pathway that inspires Sarwie and her teammates.

"It gives everyone belief that they can make it to the first team and that anything can happen," she says.

As for her own long-term ambitions, they're both grounded and ambitious. "I want to make my name great," she states.

"I want to inspire younger girls and let them know that anything is possible. Everyone has different journeys, so it's important to focus on your own and see where it takes you.

"And, of course, winning major trophies for club and country would be great too."