The American international's impact was recognised with a place in the WSL’s Team of the Season at the awards ceremony in London, and she explained how being with the Blues has helped her improve after moving thousands of miles away from her Los Angeles home in the summer.

‘I feel like coming here, I didn't have a lot of expectations for myself,’ she said. ‘Being in a new league, being away from home, there are a lot of factors. I feel like now the team has really made me feel a part of Chelsea.

‘I know my role more, and just being able to be here and play with top-quality players makes me better, and I think every day I'm getting closer to where I want to be.’

Thompson plays for the U.S. Women’s National Team alongside her sister Gisele, who is only 13 months her junior. The pair hold the record for the most USWNT starts together by a set of siblings, and will likely reunite for a double header of friendlies against Brazil in June.

‘I always want to be in good form going into the national team,’ Thompson continued. ‘Being in camps with my sister also gives me a lot of confidence to be my best self, and her opinion means the most to me, honestly.

'Having her with me, I know that I play really well, so it's really nice. I have a lot more confidence in myself now, going into this camp coming up next time.’

Thompson was named in the WSL Team of the Year at Monday evening’s awards ceremony alongside her Chelsea team-mate Hannah Hampton.

The American was full of praise for her counterpart, explaining why she feels the talented goalkeeper is essential for the success of the side.

‘Her performances have been amazing,’ said Thompson. ‘She's been a shot stopper for us. She keeps us in games. She's just such an elite goalkeeper.

‘I could see, in the locker room, what it takes to be one of the best goalkeepers, and it's really cool to have her on our team and see what it takes to be the best.’

One player who won't be lining up alongside Thompson next season, but has had a significant impact during her first year at Chelsea, is Sam Kerr.

The Australian striker will depart the Blues this summer, having scored a record-equalling 116 Chelsea goals and cementing her place in the club's history.

While Thompson has only featured for one season alongside Kerr, she paid tribute to how the 32-year-old contributed to the team dynamic and explained what she has learned from playing alongside her.

‘Honestly, I feel honoured to have shared the field with her,’ Thompson continued. ‘You can always count on her to score, which is a quality that not a lot of people have. And off the field, she's one of the funniest people; she's so outgoing and very welcoming to everyone.

‘I think she really brings you in with her humour. I feel like a lot of great people, the best in sport, are kind of scary, but she's the most friendly person that I could talk to.

'I really look up to her as a forward, scoring that many goals, and just being such a force on the field is something that I want to do. Having played with her is so cool, to be honest.'