In a matter of days, new head coach Sonia Bompastor will take charge of the Blues for the first time when we face NJ/NY Gotham at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. We will then face Arsenal at Audi Field in Washington DC.

Like Bompastor, it will be a maiden trip as a Blue for summer signing Bronze, who will hope to take to the pitch for the first time as a Chelsea player in America.

Bronze is no stranger to the States, having had a short spell playing college football in North Carolina as a teenager. Although only young, her time across the pond had an enduring impact.

It’s where she learned how to win, Bronze has previously recalled. She returns certainly well-versed in the practice of lifting silverware.

‘I love going back to America,’ Bronze says with a big smile across her face. ‘There are a lot of familiar faces in different parts of the country and I have such fantastic memories of being there.

‘It’s a place I have a nice connection with. The way the women’s game is over there and the way they develop players, it was great back then and still is now. There are still players playing in America who I’ve played with or against, so it’s always a nice feeling to go back.’

Cuthbert also has fond memories of playing in the United States, but unlike Bronze, she did so in Chelsea blue. Our supporters left a lasting impression.

On that occasion, the Blues were based on the west coast in Portland, Oregon, and played matches against Portland Thorns of the NWSL and French side Lyon, then managed by Bompastor.

Our Scottish midfielder can’t wait to play in front of our American supporters again, but this time on the east coast in New Jersey and Washington DC.

‘I remember how cool the fans were,’ Cuthbert says. ‘When we went over there it was crazy how buzzing they all were. ‘There were so many people in Chelsea shirts and they loved the fact we were there. They were so loud. They just love women’s football over there. It’s a great culture.

‘I’m looking forward to seeing all our fans who maybe don’t normally get the chance to watch us or maybe have to get up at silly o’clock or stay up light to be able to watch us on the TV. It’s nice to reward them with some live football.’

Although the tour's focus is, of course, to get crucial minutes in the legs and showcase a new-look Blues under Bompastor, it is also an opportunity for team bonding and for friendships to flourish.

‘We want to be testing ourselves right from the beginning, and it gives Sonia a good marker to see where the team is at,’ Cuthbert adds. ‘Both games are good challenges. Gotham are in season so physically they will be on it – and it will show where we need to get to.

‘The manager has set her stalls out early and we love how demanding she is of us every day and with every technical detail on the pitch.

‘It’s going to be a good trip. For a new team, there are new players, new staff – so, there will be a lot of initiations going on! It’s nice for us to get away and to bond somewhere different to where we’re used to.’

As well as a potential Chelsea debut, Bronze is looking forward to playing against Arsenal having been a spectator of the rivalry between the two clubs in recent seasons.

She has been involved in several different derbies with her former clubs, but a London derby? There is nothing quite like it, Bronze believes.

‘After watching the WSL over the past two years, the London derby is always a really big occasion,’ Bronze added. ‘It’s one everyone looks forward to.

‘It’s two teams with a lot of quality. Arsenal have a lot of players I know well, and I’m sure they will be looking forward to getting their season underway with a bit of a bang, as well.

‘It’ll be a good game in Washington, where the women’s game is really kicking on as well with their team in the NWSL. I think everyone watching in the US and back home will be looking forward to it.’