The conversation took place at our winter training camp in Portugal which began on Friday, and the boss also took the time to detail why a change of scenery is the best possible way to prepare for an intense second half of the campaign.

‘It was a really good break,’ Bompastor says. ‘I think it's always important when you have the chance to reset mentally and physically. Our job is really demanding as coaches, and it’s the same for the players. It was a great opportunity to reset and to come back with freshness and a new mindset.

‘We know the importance of the next block of matches; we will have a lot of big games to play, and I think this is the best place to come and prepare for the second part of the season.

‘We work on a lot of things, but especially our values and the environment we want to create, the culture we want in this team. It allows you to get to know each other well. I think the chemistry you can gain off the pitch is really valuable, and allows us to connect as humans.

‘It’s also really important for us to have training sessions in a different environment. For people to have the opportunity to be mentally in a good space and to work outside of their comfort zones. I think these elements make the foundations for the second part of the season, and that's crucial.

‘The team has been working together for a few months now, and the players are gelling together, but I think it's important to keep working on that.

‘For the staff, it’s an opportunity to talk about the game model and what we want to achieve, our goals, our ambitions, and to make sure we’re on the same page and we are advancing in the same direction.’

With a busy schedule of competing on four fronts, the matches come thick and fast for Chelsea.

While Bompastor is experienced enough to know how to analyse matches efficiently before the next one, she explained how having a break over Christmas allowed her to take a step back and assess the games without the intensity of emotions the matches inevitably evoke.

‘When you have more time, it's a good time for you to reflect and see things with more clarity,’ she continued.

‘But when you play every three days, you have no choice. You have to find the space to reflect on the games because even when you have a good performance and a good result, you need to make sure you're going into the next match with good learnings.

‘Even if you’re really busy, you have to make that process happen, and the only difference is time. Your days can be really long when the season is in full flow, so maybe your mindset is a little bit fresher when you have time to reflect.

‘Sometimes you can make decisions in a rush when you play every three days. You need to make the right decision with the elements you have in your hands.

‘When you play a lot of matches, you are in your emotions, and that's not always the most beneficial time for you to make decisions. But I think from the experience I have now, I'm used to the situation, and that’s what probably makes the difference between me and some other managers.’