Baltimore, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain last summer with a reputation as a tricky wide player, has established herself as a regular at left-back in her maiden campaign at Chelsea – and she has produced big moments in big matches in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old struck the first goal in our memorable come-from-behind triumph over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, netted in back-to-back matches for her country, and then was influential in our FA Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool on Sunday.

Baltimore put in a tough defensive shift against the threat of Liverpool winger Olivia Smith, but still had the energy to get up the pitch in second-half stoppage time and deliver the cross that enabled Aggie Beever-Jones to head home, secure a 2-1 win, and book our place in the FA Cup final at Wembley next month.

And Baltimore's development over the campaign has not gone unnoticed by Bompastor.

'She had a great performance [against Liverpool],' said the Chelsea head coach. 'I think she's learning about the league and about the good players we have in this league – she already fought a fight with Kerolin against Man City, which was a hard one.

'She's getting stronger and stronger. She can defend well, but can also help the team move forward to create opportunities in the box. It's really nice to have a player like her.

'She's having a big impact for the team. I know that different players are competing for that left-back position, but if somebody is starting in that position, it's because, for me, she's really performing and helping the team to perform.'

Baltimore has netted four goals in the Women's Super League this term and has been deployed further up the pitch by Bompastor on occasion this season – she has also featured as a winger when away on international duty with France.

Yet the Blues head coach believes the skill set Baltimore possesses, coupled with the challenges we regularly face in the Women's Super League, means she will continue being utilised as a left-back in the majority of Chelsea matches.

Bompastor said: 'I think for me, when you look at the season, she's making a big impact for the team and in that position. That's good because I know she can play left winger. She played that position in the last international break with the national team in France and was successful. She also scored in that position.

'But I think here in the league, I think I already said that she's able to hold the ball under pressure, especially when the other team is coming high up the pitch, pressuring you. She's really an expert on the way we want to build up and we want to move forward on the pitch.

'She's having success. For me, it's not only the last few weeks. It's been almost from the beginning of the season.'