The Japanese international has blossomed into a key member of the squad over the past 12 months, and Bompastor named Hamano in her first starting XI of the season against Manchester City. It was a decision rewarded with a goal from the forward.

Hamano will be hoping to keep her place in the side when we travel to Aston Villa on Sunday, and in her pre-match press conference, Bompastor outlined the qualities the 21-year-old brings to the Chelsea side.

‘Maika is a young player who has a lot of talent – as you could see from her performance against Man City,’ said the Blues boss.

‘She's really good out of possession, she runs a lot on the pitch, and she has really started doing what we want her to do in terms of the defensive aspects. She is also working hard in possession of the ball.’

Hamano joined Chelsea from Japanese side INAC Kobe Leonessa at just 19 years old. Two-and-a-half seasons later, she has twice won the Women's Super League, lifted the FA Cup, and celebrated a League Cup triumph.

Yet Bompastor feels there’s still more to come from the young forward.

‘She has room for improvement,' said the Blues head coach, 'such as making sure she always makes the right decision on the pitch.

'If she does that, she's going to score goals – and she did against City – but she will also give some good assists to her team-mates. So this is what she's working on because I know she can improve that aspect of her game.

‘She’s a really important player for us. She's able to start in the big games, as you saw against City last weekend, which is a good thing. There’s a lot of competition in the squad, but as a manager, the most important thing for me when I pick my starting 11 is that I care about the performances.

‘When she's performing, she's one of the first ones I'll select in the starting XI.’