Scotland forward Erin Cuthbert has revealed the importance of learning to be more "direct" on the pitch, a trait she believes has been crucial in her development as a player. Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport's Emma Sanders, Cuthbert attributes this newfound directness to former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes.
The 21-year-old winger credits Hayes with instilling in her the value of decisive action and swift decision-making during games. "I think that's something I've learned from Emma," Cuthbert said. "Being able to make quick decisions on the pitch, not thinking too much about it, just going for it."
However, Cuthbert believes that learning to be more direct wasn't always easy. She recalled a story about her mother educating her on how to use the tumble dryer when she was younger.
"When I was young, my mum taught me how to use the tumble dryer," Cuthbert said with a smile. "It's funny because it sounds silly now, but at the time, I didn't know how to do it. She just sat down and showed me how to do it step by step. And that's what I think I've done with football too – taken things one step at a time, learning from people like Emma Hayes."
Cuthbert's journey to becoming a more direct player has been nothing short of remarkable. From playing for her local club in Scotland to joining the Chelsea Women's Academy and eventually making her debut for the first team.
Her rapid rise to prominence has earned her recognition as one of the top young players in the women's game, with many pundits hailing her as a future star of Scottish football.
However, Cuthbert remains humble and grounded despite the attention surrounding her. She attributes her success to hard work and dedication, both on and off the pitch.
"It's not just about being direct on the pitch," Cuthbert said. "It's also about being confident in your ability to do things. And that's something I've worked on a lot."
With Chelsea currently competing for league titles and international tournaments, Cuthbert will be crucial in determining the success of Scotland and her club this season.
As she continues to grow as a player, one thing is clear: Erin Cuthbert has learned to be more direct – and it's served her well.
The 21-year-old winger credits Hayes with instilling in her the value of decisive action and swift decision-making during games. "I think that's something I've learned from Emma," Cuthbert said. "Being able to make quick decisions on the pitch, not thinking too much about it, just going for it."
However, Cuthbert believes that learning to be more direct wasn't always easy. She recalled a story about her mother educating her on how to use the tumble dryer when she was younger.
"When I was young, my mum taught me how to use the tumble dryer," Cuthbert said with a smile. "It's funny because it sounds silly now, but at the time, I didn't know how to do it. She just sat down and showed me how to do it step by step. And that's what I think I've done with football too – taken things one step at a time, learning from people like Emma Hayes."
Cuthbert's journey to becoming a more direct player has been nothing short of remarkable. From playing for her local club in Scotland to joining the Chelsea Women's Academy and eventually making her debut for the first team.
Her rapid rise to prominence has earned her recognition as one of the top young players in the women's game, with many pundits hailing her as a future star of Scottish football.
However, Cuthbert remains humble and grounded despite the attention surrounding her. She attributes her success to hard work and dedication, both on and off the pitch.
"It's not just about being direct on the pitch," Cuthbert said. "It's also about being confident in your ability to do things. And that's something I've worked on a lot."
With Chelsea currently competing for league titles and international tournaments, Cuthbert will be crucial in determining the success of Scotland and her club this season.
As she continues to grow as a player, one thing is clear: Erin Cuthbert has learned to be more direct – and it's served her well.