Bright has been pivotal to our success during 12 years at the club and has been a part of our squad for every trophy we have ever won.

The 32-year-old has also earned 88 caps for England, was in the heart of defence for the Lionesses' first major tournament win in the 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championship and captained her country at the 2023 Women's World Cup as they reached the final.

Earlier this week it was announced that Bright has decided to call time on her playing career, prompting tributes to pour in for the centre-back, and the last person to manage Bright was no exception.

‘A legend is retiring, and I think Millie has done everything for Chelsea,’ said Bompastor, when asked for her thoughts on Bright’s retirement during her press conference on Thursday.

‘She's been Chelsea through and through. You don't see many players who are able to play for the same club for more than a decade. She's been the captain and a great leader for this team.

‘When you talk about Chelsea being dominant, she won 20 trophies for the club, and she was the main leader for this team for so many years, so many seasons.

‘I had the chance to coach her as a player. I had the chance to know her as a person as well. She is an incredible player. She has done a lot for the women's game in England.

‘She was part of the growth of the women's game in England. I hope everyone understands [just how much] Millie will be missed on the pitch.’

Bompastor admits our captain’s presence will be missed on and off the pitch, both by herself and the players, but she is now focused on giving Bright the best possible send off, by combining the tributes with a successful finish to the season.

Sonia said: ‘My reaction and the dressing room reaction was a bit different because I was involved in some of the conversations with Millie. It was probably more a surprise for the squad, some of the players in the squad, because she's quite close with some of the players as well.

‘Everyone has shared a lot of emotions – being really happy to celebrate Millie because she really deserves that, but at the same time, sad because she's been a big part of what Chelsea achieved in the last seasons.

‘It's difficult to really and fully enjoy that moment because we are focusing also on important games. The club already thought about everything we can do to celebrate Millie in the best way possible.

‘We are ready for that. She deserves it one more time. We are trying to find a balance between focusing on the team and the games we have left, but also thinking about Millie.’

Bright’s retirement comes towards the end of a campaign which has seen her struggle with injuries, frustratingly restricting her involvement in the team. That leaves Bompastor with the main regret that our captain won’t get to bow out the way she deserves, by leading Chelsea out on to the pitch one last time.

Bompastor said: ‘As much as she wanted to stay around the team – and she tried everything to help the team because, as I said, the team is always the most important thing for her – it was tough.

‘And I'm really sad, actually, because a player like her should be able to retire playing minutes in her last game of the season. She won’t have this opportunity. So it's a little bit sad, but she has given everything. In terms of mentality, she's a real hero.’

With two games remaining in the Women's Super League, and a Women's FA Cup final to come, 'do it for Millie' will no doubt be one of the rallying calls for the end of the season, even without our skipper on the pitch, starting with Sunday's WSL trip to Leicester City.