Ingle spent two seasons with the Blues early in her career, but when she rejoined the club in 2018, she did so with the experience and quality to help cement Chelsea atop the women's game.

The Women's Super League title was won in her second season – and hasn't been relinquished since – and there have been three FA Cup triumphs at Wembley, two League Cups lifted, and an FA Community Shield claimed. Ingle was also awarded an OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to football.

Each success has a place in Ingle's heart. Each has its unique memories and emotions. Yet one trophy win stands out in the Wales international's mind.

'It’s probably the FA Cup for me,' she says. 'Everyone wants to play in the FA Cup final at Wembley in front of a sold-out crowd. I'm lucky enough to have done it three times. The first one is always so special with your friends and family in the crowd – and yes, beating Arsenal was the icing on the cake.

'I've won 11 trophies in the last six years, which is a good number. It's always been about being consistent and giving everything every day, always trying to improve your weaknesses, and always trying to help support your team-mates.

'Obviously, you look at trophies because that is success, but it's about making friends off the pitch too. I think that's hugely important because your teammates become your family.

'You see them more than your family – every single day when you're at the training ground or when you're travelling on the bus, they are there with you. So to me, that is success because I've made long-term friends throughout my time at Chelsea.'

Ingle played the 2012 and 2013 seasons with Chelsea before embarking on spells at Bristol Academy and Liverpool. When she returned to the Blues in 2018, she joined a squad that contained the outstanding Ji So-Yun and a young Erin Cuthbert.

And they are two midfielders the 33-year-old namechecks when reflecting on the players she has played alongside at Chelsea.

'Ji is up there with the best I've ever played with,' she says. 'I learned so much from her because she's quite similar to me: very laid back but gives you everything, and her quality on the pitch spoke for itself.

'Erin [Cuthbert] is someone I've learned a lot from in a different way because she plays a little bit differently to Ji. Playing alongside her is great because she will give you everything she's got in every single game..

'She's an out-and-out winner, hates losing, and I think the battles we've had in training when we've been on different teams have always been good match-ups. I think she's made me better, and I'd like to hope that I've made her a better player too.'

Whether alongside Ji, Cuthbert, or the other quality midfielders to have plied their trade for the Blues, Ingle remained a consistent and reliable presence in the Women's Super League. And in November 2023, she set the record for the most appearances made in the competition.

Fittingly, her 184th outing in the WSL, which saw her overtake previous record holder Kerys Harrop, came against former club Liverpool.

'It was a nice reward for all the years I'd given to football,' she says. 'Whatever club I've been at, I feel like I've given 100 per cent and always tried to stay fit and healthy. It was a really proud moment to reach that.

'You have to prepare in the right way and look after yourself, both on and off the pitch. Whether that's eating the right way or getting enough sleep. But it's also about taking time away from the game because it can be so intense and football is a brutal world – one minute you're playing, one minute you're not.

'You have to try and stay confident within yourself. I think I've been quite level-headed the whole way through my career. I don't get too high on the highs and too low on the lows.'

Unfortunately, Ingle's record has since been surpassed; her absence this season due to an ACL injury is part of the reason why. Yet she has supported her team-mates from the sidelines, offered help when possible, and remained an upbeat presence at our training base in Cobham.

She says: 'It's been tough because you're used to playing and training every day and that gets taken away from you, but I try to see the positives in things.

'So when it first happened, I thought, right, I'll get some more time with my family, who you don't get to see as much when you're fit and healthy and playing football every day.

'There are a lot of positives you can learn about yourself, too. I have had to push myself in a different way, do things differently from what I've been used to. That’s been a good test as well.

'When it first happened, the club wanted me to come to terms with it. We then had some talks after a few months, and they said they would support me throughout my journey and try to get me back as fit as they could.

'It put my mind at ease as I knew I would have care up until the very last minute when I was ready to be back playing. And then when I'm fit enough to join a new team, they will support me with that, too. So I am grateful.

'The girls also know I've tried to support them where possible. I've watched every game and, if someone has scored or done something really well, I'll always go up to them and say well done because I think we don't do that enough.

'We often look at the negatives within ourselves. So I think it's always nice when someone gives you a positive.'

Such has been Ingle's longevity – she made her senior debut in 2007 for Cardiff City – she has seen firsthand the transformation in the women's game. No more has that been evident than at Chelsea.

'When I first came back in 2018, there were probably about ten staff members, and some of those were part-time,' she says. 'Now it is very different, and that's changed in just six or seven years.

'It's one of those where you almost need to be successful to force quicker changes, to get bigger budgets, to get better facilities, and then bigger players are attracted to the club.

'Football is football, and we always want to advocate that anyone can support us. It doesn't matter your age, gender, anything like that, we accept everyone, and they accept us.

'The club also does a lot with the Foundation, which is really important. I've met some of the school kids that have come in and presented to me different ways of how they can make match-days more accessible, which is really exciting as these 10 and 11 year olds are coming up with ideas and the club is willing to listen.'

As our interview draws to a close, Sophie focuses on those who have always been there during her Chelsea story: the supporters. Many will follow her next steps and want the very best for the midfielder, especially after overcoming injury.

She says: 'Personally, my main aim is this summer's Euros. I'm quite realistic that it's going to be a tough ask, but if I could make it to the Euros with Wales, it would be an amazing achievement.

'After that, hopefully, I will find a team where I can get back playing and enjoying football after such a long injury. I know it can take a good few months to get back to your best after such a long time out. So, I just want to enjoy football again and be in another good team environment.

She adds: 'To the Chelsea supporters, I just want to thank you. The fans have supported me and the team from day one, and especially since I came back to the club in 2018.

'I hope I gave that back to them by always playing for the badge, playing for the girls, for the team, for the club. I'm so thankful they've supported me and the girls on this amazing journey.

'The club can go to even bigger heights and win that big trophy. It's what the club deserves: to win the Champions League.'

And you can see the WSL champions get crowned at Stamford Bridge this weekend! Get your tickets now for Chelsea Women vs Liverpool Women on 10 May by clicking here, with tickets starting at £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions.