‘Believe it or not,’ says Millie Bright, ‘when I first signed for Chelsea, I knew I would be here a decade. And I wanted to make sure that when I left, I had a legacy to leave behind.’

Whenever that day does come – and it will be a very sad day indeed – there will no doubting the impact Bright has had, and will continue to have, on this football club.

She may have arrived in 2014 as a ‘deer in headlights’, but she now sets the standard as our captain, leader and legend, passing on years of know-how and personal experiences to those who follow in her footsteps.

Bright explains her growth as a person and a skipper stems from an innate empathy and a willingness to learn.

‘I'm always looking to take care of those around me,’ the 32-year-old says. ‘My family and friends will vouch for that. I naturally take control in situations. If something needs doing, or if someone needs something, I'll do it. I don't hesitate. I’d run through a brick wall for anyone.

‘Sport is a beautiful thing because it brings so many people together from different backgrounds and cultures. As a leader, you have to learn what's good for them. You know one shoe does not fit all. And I’ve loved that. I've loved every single player that's played here. All my team-mates have been amazing to get to know.

‘Wearing the armband is the biggest honour,’ continues Bright. ‘It’s been such a good experience. Even when I wasn’t captain, I learned so much about myself.

'Leadership, in general, is something that you have to learn about. And even as a leader, you have things to work on. You have to learn about yourself and what you need to be better at and how you can accommodate everyone.

‘Seeing the way Emma [Hayes] led was a big driving point and a mentor for me, because you've got to have those tough conversations as well. People might always see you get the glory, lifting the trophies, but there's all the hard stuff that you probably don't see. It's all part of being a leader.

‘I'd like to think the fans can see the passion and the pride that I take, whether I've got the armband on or not. I've always been the same. I'd like to think that's not changed me in any way other than having more responsibilities.’

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As well as Hayes, manager for all but one of her completed seasons to date, Bright singles out two former team-mates who had a major impact on her: Katie Chapman and Magdalena Eriksson.

The Swedish centre-back lined up alongside Bright for several years. The pair formed a ‘really close bond’, Bright says, and complemented one another as leaders, with the ‘calmer’ Eriksson fulfilling the role of good cop.

‘Something that I've learned is that getting the best out of everyone requires different people for different roles,’ notes Bright.

Chapman, meanwhile, is one of the most decorated players in the history of the women’s game in this country. She was an inspiration at the start of Bright’s Chelsea journey.

‘I have always looked up to her. She took me under her wing when I first came and really showed me the ropes. She's the one that I can relate to the most as a leader. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She gives absolutely everything every single day. She'd do anything for anyone and plays with so much pride and passion. She is a true representation of a Chelsea player for me.

‘The environment at the club has taught me what it takes, and the mentors that I've had. They run through brick walls for anyone and anything. They'd do anything to win. They'd do anything to be successful. They'd do anything to make their team-mate look better.

'It's team-mates like that and people like that that stick with you for life. Those morals and that way of being a team-mate never leaves you.

‘I want to pass that on to the next generation. It's good to know what came before because it's what got us here. But it's not what will get us to the next place. We have to evolve again.’

Bright’s unrelenting commitment to improvement and willingness to play through the pain barrier have enabled her to reach the landmark of 300 Chelsea games. All the while, she was inspired by those around her – the likes of Chapman, Hayes and Eriksson. It is why Bright has never considered leaving.

‘When people say my name, I would want them to say she was a winner, caring, a fighter on the pitch. Those things drive me on. And giving back to my family is always a big thing as well.

‘Honestly, I've never had a reason to leave. Everyone asks, “Why have you stayed so long?” But I've never had a reason to go. I felt challenged every single year. I've developed every single season. Whenever you love what you do and you love where you are, that's a really big thing.’

Bright admits she could not have imagined achieving as much as she has at Chelsea when she signed, despite knowing she would call the club home for a long period.

Alongside the multiple trophies – 19 in total – Bright is especially proud of playing so many games for the club.

‘I always used to joke around when [Cesar] Azpilicueta was at the club and he had a lot of appearances, I was like, “I'm going to beat him”.

‘I kept looking at his appearances and thinking what an incredible achievement it was. A Chelsea legend, his legacy is unbelievable. It was always in the back of my mind and I know we don't play as many games as the men, so maybe I won't be able to achieve that. But maybe in the women's, I could be that figure and have that number.

‘I loved him as a player – a solid leader who led by example - and he was a really nice guy, a gentleman who was always polite whenever we were up in the men's building.

‘I always looked up to him and John Terry. The way they played, what I saw from them, I wanted to put in my game. When they were on the pitch, they just had that spark. And I want to leave something behind where players are proud to play for a club for a long time and don't feel like they need to move if they're achieving what they're achieving.’

Any list of great Chelsea defenders and great Chelsea captains would rightly contain the names of Azpilicueta, Terry and Bright. Among the many virtues that bind them together is an undiminishing motivation to accomplish more. Nothing says Chelsea quite like that burning desire to win. And for Bright, blue-blooded to the core, there is no sign of it going away.

‘We've still got so much to achieve: things to be won, achievements to be done. Like I said, when you love what you're doing, you'll go above and beyond for it. I still love what I'm doing. I adore this club. And there's still so much more we can do as a club. And I love my work being a trustee for the Foundation and just making a difference.

‘There's just there's too much to give still and there's too much to be done. And every time it says you've broken another record, writing history in the books is the most rewarding thing as a player. I don't care about the individual stuff. I want the team accolades. That's what means the most to me.’

Three targets remain in Bright’s crosshairs: winning the Champions League, securing a seventh WSL title in a row, and playing in front of a capacity crowd at Stamford Bridge.

Judging by what has come before, we can be confident her wishes will come true. Either way, Bright’s legendary status at the club is assured.

It is time for our interview to draw to a close. Honest and engaging throughout, Bright concludes by summing up exactly what it means to her to be Chelsea.

‘Making 300 appearances probably says it all. It means everything. It's my reason for waking up every day and fighting for what I love to do. Sitting here talking about making my 300th appearance is incredible and something that I don't take lightly.

‘It's crazy, the journey that I've been on. Everybody knows that I'm Chelsea through and through, and it'll be the last club that I play for. I won't ever play anywhere else. Chelsea is my club and I'm very dedicated and loyal to that.

‘I'm forever grateful for what the club's given me, and the people that I've met along the way. Emma [Hayes] has been one of them. She's the reason why I have got to 300, to be honest - putting that faith in me and that trust to be at this club and giving me that first opportunity.

‘I'd like to think I've built a legacy at this club, and one day, when I look back and my time's done, I can be proud of what I've achieved. And hopefully I've left the shirt in a better place, and the club in a better place.’

Of that, Millie, there is no doubt.

Chelsea host WSL newcomers London City Lionesses at the Bridge on Saturday 1 November, with tickets on sale now.