One big positive for the head coach was the availability of Sam Kerr, who could make her long-awaited return on Friday night under the lights at Stamford Bridge.

The possibility of an appearance from the Australia international adds to the excitement of the fixture against our WSL rivals. Supporters will also have the opportunity to see players from both sides show off the Women's Euro 2025 trophy before kick-off.

'Sam is in a good place,' confirmed Bompastor.

'She's been training well, she's physically in a good position, and she's also mentally in a good place. I think she's one of the players everyone wants to see on the pitch. It’s nice for me to have her in the squad with her leadership experience, but at the same time, we have to be patient with her because she's been away from the pitch for a long time.

'She’s not at her best level yet, but hopefully that will come soon. It’s already a good step for her to be in the squad.

Bompastor added: 'It’s been enjoyable for me to have Sam around the squad again, not only because of her quality on the pitch, but also what she brings as a leader in the team. She’s a really smart footballer. I really enjoy watching her, making those good runs with the right timing, and with these kinds of players, you don't really teach them how to play football; they already know how to do that.

'For me, it's more about giving them all the confidence to be the best version of themselves on the pitch, but also sometimes I can give some more details about when to make the run, how to do something even better.

'I've tried to help in that sense, but Sam is a great player and she doesn't need much. Sam is in the squad, so she will be involved in the game, but we don't know yet if she will start or if she will be on the bench.'

This week has also brought some disappointing news, in that Mayra Ramirez has undergone surgery on a hamstring injury she sustained against AC Milan in a friendly at Kingsmeadow last weekend.

Both Ramirez and Lucy Bronze have been confirmed as out of the squad for Friday's match, and Bompastor delivered an update on them both.

'It’s sad for everyone,' she confirmed when speaking about Ramirez. 'First of all, for her. She had successful surgery, which is really positive. She is a really important player for us in the team, and you never want to be in that situation. But it happens, and for me now, it's making sure we give her a speedy recovery as a staff, and I focus on the players I have available.

'But it’s a big loss. We don’t expect her back before January.

'It's difficult for now to put a time frame on Lucy's return, but she's doing well, she's in a good place mentally and physically, and hopefully she will come back soon, but I think she's still some weeks away from her return on the pitch.'

Finally, the boss also gave an update on Lauren James' rehabilitation from injury after she returned to Chelsea with a problem sustained during Euro 2025.

With an important clash against Man City on the horizon, the boss discussed how she might set up the forward line with those two key injuries in attack.

'LJ is doing fine,' Bompastor confirmed. 'Again, it's difficult to put a timeframe on her because everyone is different, but her rehab is going in the right direction. I'm not expecting to see her for the next few weeks, but hopefully soon, because she's an important player and we need her on the pitch.

'I have different options in my squad, the first one able to play in that position after doing some great things from last season is Aggie Beever-Jones. 
I'm confident. I have others who play that position, Catarina Macario being one of them.

'I have in my mind one or two options where I can do something that may be surprising for people. So we'll see what we need depending on the games.'

Help cheer on Sam Kerr and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge against Manchester City in the first Women's Super League game of the season this Friday! Secure your tickets for that fixture here.