Emma Hayes has emphasised how important it is Chelsea Women did not concern themselves with the permutations regarding first place in their Champions League group ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Blues are in a commanding position after four wins and a draw, but still have some work to do to guarantee top spot in Group A on the final matchday. PSG are seeking a two-goal victory to try and usurp us, so Hayes and her players know a point will be enough to be one of the seeded teams in February’s quarter-final draw.
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Hayes will never settle for anything less than a victory, though, even in these circumstances, and that was a message she reinforced at her pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
‘We play to win every game,’ she stressed.
‘That is what you learn over the years. Last year was such a learning curve for the team. When you’re going into a game thinking ‘as long as you don’t lose by a certain number’, that’s a catastrophic headspace and one I won’t entertain.
‘Training has been hard for many reasons. If the team aspires for the biggest things it has to train with that application, and stimulate different overloads. This week, with that in mind, I expect my team to have the right approach and I will be disappointed if it is otherwise.’
Hayes was pleased to confirm there are no fresh injury concerns going into the PSG game, which brings the curtain down on 2022. The Blues are not in action again until 15 January next year, when we visit the Emirates to play Arsenal in a mouthwatering London derby.
Hayes, who is off to Lapland with her son Harry over the festive period, admitted she felt bad for saying she was looking forward to the break.
‘I had six weeks off and I’m feeling as fresh as a daisy.
‘I am happy for my staff and the players that they get a break. Me personally, I am just finding my feet again.’
Hayes was also able to reflect on the campaign thus far. As we reach the midway stage, the Blues top a tight WSL table and have booked our place in the last eight of the Champions League.
‘We have to be extremely grateful for this team,’ Hayes acknowledged.
‘It’s a team that’s been at the top at least domestically for a long time. The fact we can continue to maintain a set of standards we live and die by is the thing we can be most proud of.
‘The hardest thing to do is to keep winning. Credit to the players for getting us to the halfway point.’