Aluko on Chelsea title, Glasgow tie
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
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Having helped Chelsea win their first league title on Sunday, Eniola Aluko is now preparing for her and the club's European debut against Glasgow City.
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Chelsea LFC celebrated their 23rd birthday on Sunday – kicking off the biggest week in their history.
Later that day they beat Sunderland 4-0 to clinch their first league title and complete the English double having won their maiden FA Women's Cup at Wembley in August. On Thursday they make their European debut in all-British style as Chelsea welcome Glasgow City to their Staines home for the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League round of 32 first leg.
Winger Eniola Aluko has 90 England caps to her name and was Chelsea's six-goal joint leading league scorer this season. But she is yet to play in UEFA club competition. The 28-year-old spoke to UEFA.com about the tie with Glasgow, winning the league and how manager Emma Hayes lured Aluko back to Chelsea in 2013 after a spell in the United States.
Click on the audio player above to hear the full interview
... on Glasgow City
We're confident. We played them in pre-season and did well against them. But they will be a tough team, they've got Champions League experience, so we've got to make sure we are ready for them.
... on the club record crowd that watched Chelsea win the league on Sunday
It's just immense, to see the support here for Chelsea is unbelievable. I think it's been great since the World Cup and [Sunday] was just the icing on the cake, to see this many people see us lift the trophy and hopefully this will be a regular thing next season and throughout the Champions League.
... on winning the league
I've waited 20-odd years for this. My whole professional career I've wanted to win a title and I've done it at a club that I love. I've played in America, I've been to other clubs, but my heart is here. To win it here is unbelievable.
... on why she re-joined Chelsea
I came back because of Emma Hayes. I knew Emma Hayes was the kind of coach who was going to attract good players. She's been all over the world, she had the pedigree to get the best players and I knew titles would come.