The Dutch media were eager to hear about our two young Netherlands internationals during our pre-match press conference ahead of the Women's Champions League match with FC Twente.

Kaptein has started all five of our opening Women's Super League matches this season. Praised for some excellent performances, the 20-year-old has provided two goals and two assists already this term, while Buurman has been in the XI twice and helped us to two clean sheets in defence.

Bompastor was happy to give information about Kaptein and Buurman to their Dutch counterparts, yet refused to be drawn on whether the duo would start the match at the De Grolsch Veste Stadium on Wednesday evening.

‘I would like to give you the answer,’ the head coach smiled. ‘But I'm someone who really likes to bring some surprises, so you will have to wait to see the line-up!

‘Of course, I know it’s important for them to return to their country, and both of them want to play in this game. It’s something I have in my mind. All their families are coming, too.’

The Dutch media were able to study Kaptein during two matches between Chelsea and Twente in the Women’s Champions League group stages last season. The midfielder started in the 3-1 win away from home and came on as a substitute in our 6-1 victory over the same opponent at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Buurman has only just begun her career in a Blue shirt, having returned from a season-long loan at PSV earlier this summer. The defender made her debut in our 1-0 win over Leicester City at Kingsmeadow and started once more in our next match, helping to keep a second successive clean sheet in a 4-0 win away at West Ham.

There was a natural curiosity among those present over how she had settled in overseas. The answer was unequivocally positive.

‘Veerle is a really good player, a young player, but she has a lot of talent,’ explained Bompastor. 'I think she already proved that from the first minute she played in the WSL. Our league is really competitive, and she was able to perform and make an impact for the team. We are happy to have her in the squad. It feels like she's been part of the group for more than just a few weeks.

‘As the Chelsea manager, I love that the competition is so high. She's competing with other really good players. Sometimes, my choices are about picking the best from that competition in the squad, but it's also important to rotate so the players are as fresh as they can be going into every game.

‘It's a mix of both, but I knew from the beginning and from the games she’s had with us, she's good enough to play in almost every game for Chelsea.’