Impetus’ Emmanuel Faith reports from Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes‘ media conference today looking ahead to the WSL champions’ season opener at home to Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (29/9/23).
Above: Chelsea boss Emma Hayes ended the last WSL season with her hands on silverware. She’s going all out to repeat it yet again this time round. Photo: Andy Wicks for Impetus.
Emma Hayes confirmed today that Fran Kirby is fit and ready to go ahead of the defending champions opening WSL game at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Blues and Lionesses fans favourite has spent the last 18 months in and out of the team due to various problems. Kirby’s contribution was pivotal to the team’s domestic success in the 2020/2021 season where she scored 16 goals and 11 assists in 18 appearances. However, she has only amassed 22 appearances over the last two seasons. The team’s priority right now is keeping her fit while easing her back to her playing rhythm.
On a wider horizon, Hayes emphasized the importance of having broadcasting deals that make the matches more accessible to people across the globe to enhance the visibility and growth of the game. The Blues boss also highlighted the importance of the arrival of increased prize money ensuring that the value can trickle down to the lower levels of the game.
Chelsea’s head coach explained the wider factors behind her choice of Millie Bright as the new club captain, in place of the departed Magda Eriksson. Hayes praised Bright for her consistency, and emphasised Bright’s resilience and ability to cope under pressure and when her back is against the wall, as seen in leading the Lionesses to the World Cup Final in the absence of Leah Williamson.
With the increasing discussion around the number of ACL injuries in the women’s game, Hayes talked about the importance of paying attention to and carrying out progressive research on injuries. She read a report from Chelsea’s medical team that highlighted the cycles of international break as one of the major causes of injuries. The travel time, recovery time, and physical movements and adjustments sometimes contributes to physical wellness levels.
As part of this, the Chelsea head coach suggested that FIFA and UEFA should look into a possible calendar that allows players to spend longer time with their nations as against cyclical travels that disrupts players’ schedule
When asked about the UWCL, she says that her immediate focus is winning the opening game on Sunday as the team hasn’t won their opening game in four consecutive seasons and she is hoping to end that streak on Sunday.
The Chelsea coach is excited about her new signings and highlighted the importance of having press-resistant players that can beat the press- praising the quality of talents in Ashley Lawrence, Catarina Macario, Sjoeke Nüsken, and Mia Fishel.
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