Since joining the Blues from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, Lawrence has made an immediate impression on her new surroundings. A start against Roma during pre-season preceded an official debut off the bench in our league victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old speaks eloquently and passionately about her love of the game, defining moments on her route to the top and the formation of her association, where pivotal work is being done to ensure young girls have female role models.

From an early age, Lawrence was motivated to stay active but as time passed, she quickly realised her desire to pursue football in the long-term. She reminisces about the comradery she experienced through football and the allure of the game in Europe.

‘I started playing football at a fairly young age, four or five years old,' recalls Lawrence.

'I was a very active child, so I was playing football and I enjoyed running track and field. At the beginning, it was just to stay active and as the years went on, I loved it.

‘I loved the feeling of making friends and the atmosphere and so I continued on. One day I knew that I wanted to play for the rest of my life. I didn’t really know of a pathway to be professional, but it was something I wanted to do as a career.

‘I went through university in America, where my ultimate goal was always to play in Europe. In Canada, we had a lot of visibility to the Premier League on television. To see the passion and history of football in Europe, I knew that one day I wanted to play at the highest level.’

Today, the Canadian international is a well-established and experienced full-back, but this wasn’t always the case. Lawrence began further up the field before a coach suggested reverting to full-back, a transition which presented a challenge that she relished.

‘Growing up I was always an attacking player, mainly a ten, an attacking midfielder. I played in that position until I was 15 or 16. It was a coach at the time who proposed the idea to play full-back, very attacking minded like the modern day full-back.

‘It was fairly new at the time but I was open to the idea. There were some learning curves, especially defensively, but I was able to add a lot of elements to my game and my position as a full-back having played in attacking midfield.

‘I could find myself in different spaces, cutting on the inside but also adding to the attack by getting into the final third and putting in crosses. It was a challenge that I actually enjoyed, both sides of the ball, winning my side and that was the mentality for me. I was playing different positions but in the end, it did help me adapt and be more versatile on the field.’

Along the way, there have been many who have supported Lawrence in a profession full of ups and downs.

‘I’m very grateful for that,' Ashley stresses.

'A career is long and there are lots of highs and lows. There have been different coaches that have played a pivotal role for me on the national team. It was a very deciding moment in my career being asked to play a different position, but it opened up a lot of doors for me in the long run.

‘There are a lot of team-mates who have been very supportive. Having those support systems and the positive energy goes a long way. This career and playing football is a very competitive environment and you need that balance.

‘My family are in Canada which is far away but I know that it takes a lot of sacrifice to be away from them. Also, my partner being my rock and a huge impact in my life.’

It is clear the newest member of our Canadian contingent has an insightful perception of the game, which she studies intensely. She is very aware of the importance in the value of educating the next generation and ensuring female role models are more visible to young people.

‘To be honest, away from training and games I am truly passionate about football. I love to watch games across different countries and leagues. I just love watching different styles, coaching styles, tactical styles and learning how different teams play and operate. When I have my downtime, spending time with friends and loved ones when I can just because the lifestyle is so busy.

‘I have my association called ‘Yes She Canada’ which I created in 2017. Every year we try to have an event where we want to inspire young girls and young people to have female role models, whether it’s football players or professional athletes, so they can come out and train, ask questions and interact.

‘We are looking at different ways to expand that because it’s very important for young people to have positive role models, especially today. I want to have a positive impact beyond the field.’