Emma Hayes’ Chelsea could turn the tides of history in Europe

A cool, calm and collected header from Sam Kerr was all it took to turn Chelsea into WSL record-breakers, having secured a run of 29 unbeaten league matches after a 1-0 win away at Brighton earlier this month.

Although the Blues are currently sat in third position, six points behind league leaders Manchester United, due to a string of recent Covid-19 infections within the WSL, the team have two games in hand. If Emma Hayes’ side remain consistent with their drive and determination for success, we could see them knock United off of the top spot shortly after the Christmas break.

It is without doubt that Hayes has an abundance of world class talent to choose from when assembling a match day squad, which has led to what members of the team have described as ‘healthy competition’ among themselves to vie for a coveted spot on the bench, let alone within the starting eleven, each Sunday.

From up-and-coming youngsters such as Niamh Charles and Jessie Fleming, to the likes of seasoned international seniors in Magdalena Eriksson and Sophie Ingle, the Chelsea squad has it all. It was announced earlier this week that two of the Blues, defender Millie Bright and record-breaking signing Pernille Harder, had each earned a spot within the 2019/20 FIFA FIFPro Women’s World 11.

The accolade, which is decided through the votes of fellow female professional footballers, left Bright “speechless”. On receiving the award, Harder, who has also recently been named as UEFA Player of the Year, reflected on her transfer to Chelsea from Wolfsburg back in October as “something really big” for her.

However, there is one title that she is still yet to grasp

Blues boss Emma Hayes was herself featured amongst the top three Best FIFA Women’s Coaches in recognition of leading her side to glory in last season’s WSL and Continental Cup. However, in her 12 years at the club, there is one title that she is still yet to grasp.

Chelsea have twice reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and are through to this year’s last 16 after comfortably beating Benfica 8-0 on aggregate. Their first meeting also saw England striker Fran Kirby overtake Eni Aluko as the club’s top goal scorer after netting her seventieth goal for the Blues just one minute after kick-off.

Chelsea fans will have to wait patiently until February, when the round of 16 draw will take place and the side’s next opponents will be revealed, giving a true indication of their prospects for long awaited Champion’s League glory.

Hayes has expressed how European clubs such as seven-time champions Lyon, Barcelona and PSG have “finances that are probably double that of English clubs” which has allowed them to consistently reach Champion’s League finals.

The Blues’ boss has also remarked how she believes that “depth is key” within the European competition and that she is confident that she has been able to build “a squad to cope with its demands”. It seems as if Hayes could not be in a better position as her side inches closer to the trophy that she is so desperate to lift, and one which as a manager, she thoroughly deserves to bring back to Kingsmeadow.

With attack in abundance, a highly adaptive midfield and an almost immovable back four, Chelsea will have all bases covered as they encounter their next opponent. This squad could make English footballing history.