We Are Chelsea - Shaping the Future with Zećira Mušović and Ashley Lawrence

Episode Date: March 8, 2025

This is We are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Škoda, the official car partner of Chelsea Women and proud supporters of women’s sport. www.skoda.co.uk Caz De Moraes is joined by goalkeeper Zećira Mušović and her team-mate Ashley Lawrence to celebrate International Women’s Day. They fill us in on how it went down when Ashley surprised a young fan with a team talk, and what they’re doing to inspire the next generation of women’s footballers. To watch the full episode on YouTube, click here: https://www.youtube.com/@chelseafc/videos Send us your questions to [e-mail] #WeAreChelsea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to We Are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea Women, brought to you in association with Skoda, who are the official car partner for Chelsea Women, and they are proud supporters of women's sport. I'm Casdemore's, and today I am so happy to announce that we will be joined by goalkeeper Zichira Musovich and defender Ashley Lawrence. We've been trying to get these two on the podcast all seasons, so I'm very excited for them to be able to join. us to mark international women's day this is we are chelsea with zechira moosevic and ashley lawrence welcome back to the podcast but first time this series how are you both good thank you everything yeah you've been talked about by the fans a lot they've been requesting you both so we are very happy well very interesting episodes i would say

last season so we're very excited to have you back on and it is international women's day let's go yeah let's start with you both were in the new york stock exchange oh yeah oh that was a cool experience yeah and i heard someone got up and gave a little speech oh my goodness who that someone is not me who would do that be who's going to be yeah I did why did you randomly I mean I loved it but why did you decide to randomly get up and give a little talk that's a good question I I don't know in the moment it just felt right it was really cool to be there to be to be fair um I didn't realize the amount of people um that you know you need that actual permission to get into the stock exchange and it's very like heavy

security like i could understand that but it's an honor for us to be able to even be in that space um let alone an entire team so yeah when we were in that um before the actual presentation i got up i saw um like the altar and i'm like i'm just gonna give a little speech i think i blocked out though i don't remember even what i said it okay i think the whole moment was all like hyped up and we were buzzing we were taken all over the place and you just went up there and and smashed it I want to. Yeah, you were amazing. Well, what's funny is that Hannah and Cio said that you were the most likely to be a politician

of anyone in the group because of, I guess, these great speeches. Ah. Would you see yourself in an alternate reality as a politician? That's interesting. Possibly, I would say, funny enough, the two players on the team that could potentially be like a politician or even like a lawyer, I would say as myself and Z. So funny enough, yeah.

Motivational speaker as well, you can react. Yeah, I'm already like, maybe you can be my life coach. That's a lot of roles. I'm right. She can be my life coach, or I might vote for her. Ashley, you have just made your 50th appearance for the club. Yeah. How did it feel?

How was it? Do those things stick in your mind, or is it afterwards when someone tells you that you go, oh, I didn't even realize it? Or did you know that it would be? Yeah, I didn't know. So we got into the locker room and there's always the game program. And I saw that I was on the cover. And so I was like, oh, that's cool. And then it was actually Millie. And she was like, congratulations on your 50th game. I was like, really? So I kind of knew that I was in like the 40s. I didn't know that it was that actual game. So that was really nice to learn in the moment. And it felt like it kind of went quite fast to get to 50. So, yeah, I'm just, I was really happy and, you know, getting the victory was a cherry on top to celebrate. This season, we have talked a lot about friendships and it's obviously why we've got your pairing on. But Z, you've got your fellow Swedes here.

How nice is it having them at the club with you? No, we're talking about that quite often, actually, how fortunate we are that we have each other just to have, I think, like this team, you're close friends with so many people and you're creating. this strong bond because you're spending so much time together but to actually have someone from your culture that speaks the same language like we have the same humor we have the we have known each other for such a long time like it's just it is amazing we love the swedes we do but i also feel like chelsea as a team from what we saw in portugal from what we saw in america with all the kind the team building things that you guys did. You all seem quite close and like a really good group.

Do you think that there are so many memories that you created on those trips, but also really good team building? Yeah, I would say I think our environment that we have created is a team building in itself, like the challenges that we are being faced with or playing these big matches or like you have to get to know each other so well and you have to have that trust for each other. So just by being in this challenging environment, I think you get so close to each other and have to be if you want to be a successful group. And I think everyone is aware of that. But yeah, not to mention the trips we've had, I think it's been some really fun ones.

And obviously it's International Women's Day. And I remember speaking to Yuzi and you said that growing up, Zlatan was a hero because there wasn't that many female role models. but obviously now you guys are the female role models for the younger generation. Is that something that you take lightly? Is that something that you feel pressure to deliver? Because there is, I guess, a certain weight that comes with being in the position that you guys are in. But it doesn't have to always be like a big, deep, serious thing. It can also be pretty amazing, right?

Yeah. We've actually had a lot of conversations about this. because we both have, like, organizations on the side. So I think naturally we both have that connection with the next generation. You do see the platform that we have and the impact that we can have on our teammates, on our friends, our families, but yeah, especially the next generation of people that are looking up to us. And I would say we don't take it lightly, but at the same time, it is fun because it's our passion. We're passionate about it.

And just seeing, like speaking to Z, the project that she's involved in, having that impact directly in her country. It's really cool to see, you know, that players are stepping up beyond the field and beyond, you know, their careers. Yeah. Tell me a little bit about your organization. For those who don't know, tell us what it's called and how it came about. Yeah. So I had an initial organization. It was called Yes, She, Canada.

And that one was mainly on inspiring the next generation in Canada and also raise donations for people in need. And then I also recently started an online academy called Ashley Football Academy. And that is to offer sessions, individual group sessions to people that want to connect directly with me. And I can provide advice, insight on my career and help them. be a source of inspiration. How amazing would it have been when you look back to when you were a kid if you'd have had something like this? For sure. A hundred percent. I think that it's really cool, especially with social media, the amount of people were able to reach. Not only, of course, being a Canadian in Canada, but on a global scale. And yeah, growing up, if these things were

available, you know, we say see it, you know, be it, it's an example, seeing examples of females that are thriving. We could see it now more than ever. But yeah, it's amazing just to see the amount of women in sport, football, but all sports that are just thriving at the highest level and it's really cool. And Z, tell me a little bit about your project. So very similar to your stuff that you're doing. I think we're passionate about similar things and we've had, like you mentioned, some great conversation about it. We sit next to each other on the plane. So we always end up having these really deep conversation about everything in life and a lot about that is around this but yeah my project is called next generation dreamers and it's a lot about dreams i'm a high believer of of having dream

and also being allowed to dream for me it's always been like it started off as a dream vision and then it's a goal now it's reality playing for chelsea and playing on the world stage with top players so that's what the project is about uh given the opportunity for young girls that comes from different backgrounds to be able to dream. The most concrete thing we have within the project right now is that we have a team in Sweden in Helsenborg, containing of 17 hand-picked girls who have identified that needs to be seen and heard

so they can start the dream. We have a coaching team. We're working with the football skills, but also about individuals and self-s, yeah, self i'd say confidence and yeah what i particularly liked is when you were both talking about your projects i don't even know if you noticed but you both really smiled like you were both really you seemed obviously quite passionate about it when did you first have the idea to when it became reality i think my my dream about this project started off early in my when i started to play

football and just landing in my own story and what I've been through and what I've pushed through to be able to have those dreams and I remember the walk that I had in 22 where I was like I'm really passionate about the next generation and I really want to give something back and then I started to think I started to think like huge I wanted to do that and that and that I had all these meetings and spent so much time so yes it's a lot of time in the background nobody sees but it's so worth so worth it and to see these 17 girls playing football creating a community who's being important role models for such a big question in the whole world today it's something that yeah it gives me so much energy and it's worth all my time that i've been

spending on this my little heart project ashley did i read correctly that you you turned up at a football match randomly and you gave them all a team talk. I did, yes. So we had a national team camp and we were playing at home in Toronto. So that was really cool. Have the best support, the best fans. And when you walk into the stadium, there are fans that are waiting. And there was one young girl and she had a big poster of me.

And she also had like a little envelope. So she gave me the envelope. and it basically said that they had a game in Caledon, which is where my family resides. Yeah, and it was on this date. And if I had the time, if I could come out, great. It's an Ontario Cup game. And I also played in this competition.

So it's really big. They're under 15. So I remember that age group being that age. And I remember these games, it's just like, it's like their World Cup at that age. So it was like, I have to go to the game. Like, this is, this is like more than a coincidence. So I showed up and I was really discreet on the side. It was like a grayish day kind of raining a bit.

And then it kind of caught wind through the parents and the team. And they were still playing. So I came over at halftime and just seeing her face and all the other players, they were like shocked. They were like jaw dropped to the floor. And I just like melted my heart because for me it was nothing. It was down the street and, you know, I wanted to go give my support and she was just like almost crying and it was really cool to be there and I stayed for the game, cheered them on. They ended up winning and the coach is like, you definitely gave them a boost and I just shared a few words at the end.

So yeah, that was really nice and just how it started from the game, a poster and how it can get to that moment and create such a special, you know, connection with herself and her teammates. well what's interesting is that will have given that little girl such a boost to not only be brave and turn up to a game and give you an envelope because when you're that age well at any age but when you're that age and you're giving someone that you see in high regard or you know that you are a fan of you're giving in this envelope you don't know how she's going to react you don't know if she's even going to take the envelope you don't know if she's even going to read it you don't know all of those things so it's such a risk and by you i guess turning up you've a that, yeah, take risks, try. For sure. Yeah, I think that's really, that's a really good message. Because, as you said, at any age, that's an example she didn't really know what to expect, but how it all came about. I think that was really cool. And it shows, like, as you said, the power of, you know, taking that step, even if you don't know,

stepping into the unknown, and you can be pleasantly surprised of the results. So then, if I ask you both, what does international women do? today mean to you? What has it come to mean to you? I just feel like we've created a platform in the world or at least at certain stages where you're allowed to express yourself. You're allowed to be yourself truly. And as a woman, you're so amazing in so many different ways. And if we can, I love to work together. I think in everything that we're doing, we should be working together. And I think as us as females, if we can live, lift each other up if we can like raise each other's stories like I don't know that's something

that's really powerful for me and that's yeah that is maybe what international women's day should remind us of well you guys are creating opportunity that wasn't there before you guys are creating this will to dream this will to go maybe I can do that because you're both doing it right and you're both living it and so it's exciting to have the role models that we didn't have I mean when you were growing up actually who were your role models particularly in football yeah um growing up honestly mostly I would say um men players uh you know watching a lot of the primary league um you know I watched a lot of messy playing so I watched him looked up to him but yeah, I would say there wasn't a lot of examples of women that were competing at a high level

and seeing that for myself and for my friends that were playing, oh, that is this possible for us? Is there a pathway for us to get to a professional environment and make a career out of this? Like, those are actual questions that I was asking and I was 14, 15, I was playing. I loved the game, but I didn't know if this was actually something that I could do. And now seeing where the game is at, you know, we're still almost the pioneers in this. Yeah. And I think that's so exciting because we're living it five years ago, 10 years ago, seeing the difference in the game, the amount of supporters that are coming out, the investment in the game. And, yeah, just to piggyback off of Z, it really is about supporting each other, lifting each other up.

She did say on the plane, we're often sitting beside each other. And I'm listening to her talk about her projects. just like smiling from ear to ear and I just want to add like I'm like almost cutting her off because I want to add to it. I'm like, wait, have you considered this? And then she's doing the same for me. And it's like really cool because when you feel that support from someone next to you, it just fills you up and it, you know, allows you to continue to believe and push and hopefully continue to break barriers. So yeah, it's really cool. This podcast is brought to you by Skoda, the official car partner of Chelsea Women and proud

quarters of women's sport. It's football season. Time for afterwork training, muddy boots and early morning weekend games. Whether you're playing five-a-side after work, cheering the kids on from the sidelines on a Saturday morning, or gathering with your mates to watch the big leagues each weekend. Skoda's the perfect companion for your everyday adventures. Zip around town in the fully electric eniac or give the squad a lift home in the all-new seven-seater Kodiak. There's something in the range to suit teams of all shapes and sizes. Don't just take my word for it, though. Search the SCOTA range today to jump in and see for yourself. So Z, you're also, just to add another string to your bow, you are part of the first all-female

cohort to do your UEFA license. Is that right? Yes. UFA A. Yes. Mm, got to specify. Okay. Tell us about this. I love that you're, He's like, I'm not busy enough. I'm not busy enough. Let me just add something else to my place. Exactly. Tell me about it and why did you want to do it? No, but I'm like, I'm an extremely,

I would describe myself as an extremely curious person, like a sponge. Whatever you challenge me with, I would try to learn as much as possible, regardless of what area it is in. And yeah, this opportunity came. I did my way for B. A coaching license was it last year?

I found it interesting, wanting to challenge myself even more had the opportunity to jump on board on this course together with other amazing players from the country so yeah no another thing that i want to learn that i want to challenge myself with don't know if i will end up being a coach but i definitely want to work with people and and bringing out the best possible from every individual to create the best group. Ashley, what do you think are the qualities that would make Z a good coach? Putting you on the spot.

Yes, but it is easy, actually, to answer that. I would say her leadership, definitely as a coach, you're setting the example for the group, for the team, for the staff. I would say also her willingness to listen, she touched upon being curious. And, you know, even when you're in a position of power, I think you can never stop learning, and Z is open to feedback. She's open to growth, to improving. As much as she knows, she wants to take in all the information.

I think that's something that's really good, especially when you're operating in a group setting. So I think that she would be honestly, yeah, really good as a coach, just that, like, leadership. There are different coaching styles, and especially as a goalkeeper, she's used to commanding from the back and communicating, she can see everything. And that's also a really good, really high quality that you need to have as a coach, and she has it. Wow. Thank you.

You're welcome. She's just like, I'm very grateful for this. This is one. Keep it coming. Keep it coming. No, thank you. I'm going to come in with another deep question. The problem is you guys are so interesting at speaking and you go deep.

So then I'm like, I'm going to go in with another deep question. What is one thing that you hope to see, or one change that you hope to see for future female footballers? I don't think change, but I think just to add, once again, to keep working together, to keep building this amazing community that we're about to build, to keep empowering each other, to keep lifting each other up, because we need each other.

that's been the key of the growth in the women's game and I think in the women's sport like how can we work together to get to the best possible stage where the sport is about passion and love rather than about money and yeah can you already maybe see any differences in the younger generation of the Chelsea squad they're extremely talented from such a young age

I would say, yeah, we were, I think we were pretty good when we were young as well. But the young upcoming start is coming up to train with us, for example, Lola or Vera. Such an amazing, talented players with such knowledge already at such young age. So I would say that's a big difference. And I'm really curious to see where that can take the game in terms of the quality. Yeah, I would just add even opportunities. Like, as you mentioned for the young players, now they're coming. They have the possibility to train with the first team.

I remember growing up in Canada, we didn't have a lot of options. I took the route. I went to university in America. I did my schooling. I got my bachelor's degree in psychology. But I did want to play football professionally, but there wasn't a lot of opportunity or pathways. So I do think there is a lot more, and that's really good.

because, yeah, there's so many talented players, so many talented young players. And I think now they do have a bit more options of if they do want to go pro, if they want to get their education, there are more teams available to train at the highest level from a very young age, and that's good. Do you feel like, because I've interviewed some of them on the podcast, so obviously I'm seeing a different side, right? But do you feel or would you agree with me? Because I feel like they're much more confident than I may have been

at that age. Do you feel like they're confident coming in and stepping into this environment at quite a young age for some of them? I think that might link to what you were saying about opportunities. Like, they see it. It's in front of them on a daily basis. We couldn't see it.

We could just dream about it. And of course, you're not confident enough if you're going to make it because nobody else has done it. So I think that's part of it. I think with that comes the challenge of like too much confidence, because it's not easy

it's not easy to get to the point where we're at like it's been a hell of a journey to get here and that's something that you can't take for granted you have to put in the work it's going to be days where it's everything is bad and it's rainy it's like it's not what you expect it but you have to push through and so yeah maybe it links a little bit

to the opportunity bit yeah definitely links I think that's what makes Chelsea so great because you've got you guys who have had to push through and had to dream in order to believe it. And then you've also got the fresh young ones who in a way are just like, of course we can do this.

It's so easy. It's been done before. And maybe that's that kind of equilibrium is the winning formula. So far it's working. No, I think it's a good mix between a mix of culture, mix of different age, experience, everything. I think it's a really good combination

to have in a winning group for sure because they have quality that we are missing we need them, they need us so once again it's about working together and finding the perfect balance between those two we've suck with it all about and it's also just to add like the young players you see them on the field and then off the field

I'm like oh right like sometimes I'm like oh right like their age you know yeah because you find yourself in these situations and you're just playing and it's football and everything is around football and then sometimes I'm like you know it's fine like if yes someone does something off the field and I'm like oh wait yeah she's like really young yeah that's normal you know 17 yeah like we could almost be like you know her mother but um yeah so it is finding that balance but it's fun because it does

keep us young too like we're young but yeah you know actually it's on her toes 40 or so I know exactly what you mean I know exactly it's a different generation yeah when we come to like social media like There's a lot of things where I'm like, I can't keep up. The thing with sport is even three to five years feels sometimes like 10 or 15 because of the way that football, all sport tends to work. Yeah. I feel like this is going to have an obvious answer. But what is the main goal this season for you guys?

Should we ask you? Maybe the question. Exactly. No, I mean, I think from the beginning, we want to win everything. But at the same time, we know it's going to take a lot of work. And even to get to this point, we're very, I would say that we're very proud of all these games that we've played, the different competitions, it's not easy. You know, the group that we have, it's a special group. And, you know, we definitely are privileged to be able to have the players, you know, starting, not starting, to come in to make an impact.

It makes a big difference when you're managing so many competitions. So, yeah, I would say that we want to win it all. But, you know, we are taking it one day at a time. Ladies, thank you so much for coming on. I have like so much to talk about. We could literally be here all night. So I am sorry. You're just so interesting to talk to.

Thank you for taking the time to come on the pod again. Thank you. Thank you for listening to We Are Chelsea, the official podcast of Chelsea, women brought to you in association with Skoda, the official car partner of Chelsea women and proud supporters of women's sport. Remember to leave a comment on our YouTube channel and we'll read it out in the next show or you can email us with your questions at we are at Chelseafc.com. See you next time.