Earlier this week, the Blues swapped their traditional training base at Cobham for a change of scene with Portugal the destination. A group of 28 players made the trip to southern Europe with preparations for the return of the WSL going up another gear.

All eyes are on the season opener against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 1 October and with only a few weeks until the big kick off, Bright sat down to discuss both our trip abroad and what there is to look forward to as we return home.

Time spent in different surroundings has been beneficial for the team with a busy schedule on the horizon. It has also allowed our summer signings to integrate into the fold both on and off the field from a football and social perspective, helping bring the group together after the summer.

‘Pre-season trips are nice to get into a different space,’ Bright said. Going to Portugal the weather was amazing, the facilities we had were really good quality and as a team it’s nice to get out of Cobham sometimes. The seasons are so long and intense that this really sets us up for the intense period that is about to come.

‘We’ve created new relationships, new connections on the pitch, allowing people to settle and the new players to find their rhythm. For the players returning that have been here a while, it’s a new journey and a new challenge. We’ve got so much out of it, whether that be touches on the ball or pushing hard so the fitness levels are going up, and as a collective just finding our style really.’

We begin the defence of our WSL crown against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 1 October and with the countdown to kick off well and truly underway, Bright described what Stamford Bridge and the fans support means to the team.

‘I’m excited, it’s something we reflected on last season and as players we demanded more games at the Bridge. It’s where we want to be. We want to be in that big stadium with the Chelsea character. It just oozes Chelsea, determination, mentality and that’s where we want to be.

‘We want to hear the fans cheering us and being a racket for the opponent we’re coming up against. We can’t wait to kick start our season and being at the Bridge just lights everyone up.’

Click here to secure your seats for Spurs at the Bridge on Sunday 1 October, with kick-off at 5.30pm (UK time).