Chelsea Womens boss Emma Hayes and forward Sam Kerr on their UEFA Womens Champions League clash with Paris FC
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00:00 [Sigh]
00:02 [Footsteps]
00:04 [Footsteps]
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00:16 [Footsteps]
00:26 [Footsteps]
00:28 Emma, really good to see you. Can we start with the team news?
00:38 And I'm told Millie Bryant, because I didn't see her way wise at training earlier.
00:43 Yeah, Millie's 50/50 for tomorrow.
00:46 I've made it clear that having so many games in quick succession,
00:52 that we're managing our loading.
00:56 We wanted to give her a little bit of extra time,
00:59 but I think she's very much in doubt for tomorrow.
01:02 What's the issue?
01:04 As you know, prior to the World Cup, she had a surgery on her knee,
01:09 so preparation going into the World Cup wasn't ideal.
01:13 She probably rushed herself back, and she's also come back after the World Cup
01:19 and quickly into the Chelsea season, so perhaps she needed a little bit longer.
01:24 So her knee's a little bit angry at the minute.
01:29 It's not anything that's too detrimental,
01:33 but I think we're just listening to her body at the minute and how it's feeling,
01:38 so we're just going to take decisions on a day-by-day basis.
01:42 Could that mean she could withdraw from the Lionel squad?
01:45 Yeah, possibly. I think there's a strong possibility that that could happen.
01:50 On the weekend, it was released record viewing figures for your game against Liverpool.
01:56 I just wanted to get your reaction on that when you hear news like that.
02:00 Wow, that's amazing news.
02:03 I know we like to talk about viewing figures and attendances a lot,
02:06 so it's great to know that we won the great viewing figure statistic race.
02:14 This week, lots of attention, as you're not surprised about, on your next move
02:20 and what this international break will look like.
02:23 How are you finding that balance since that's been announced with being Chelsea head coach
02:28 and still having an eye on what's going on with the US women's team?
02:32 Yeah, I think I've been very generous in what I've said so far,
02:36 and as far as I'm concerned, I'm here to talk about Chelsea business,
02:39 and that's all I'm going to talk about today.
02:41 No problem at all. Sam, just wanted to get your opinions on your boss leaving at the end of the season.
02:47 We haven't heard from you. Love to hear your thoughts.
02:51 Yeah, it's obviously sad. Emma's a great coach, a great leader, and she's been here for so long.
02:57 But, you know, that's football. I'm in a different position than most of the girls.
03:02 I've had many different coaches over my career, so I don't want to say I'm used to it,
03:06 but I'm more, I guess, used to it than someone like Millie or the other girls that have been here longer.
03:13 So Chelsea's very lucky that they've had her for as long as they have.
03:17 But, I mean, most of us in football are used to this thing, so it's sad to see it go, of course.
03:22 But, of course, we all wish her all the best.
03:25 Do you mean it?
03:26 No.
03:27 I was going to say, will you be thinking that when you're going out for Australia and Emma's in the US dugout?
03:35 Oh, no, the USA never want to play us anyway.
03:38 They never pick us to play them, but hopefully now they pick us and I can go to the USA a bit more.
03:43 Sam, last week in the Champions League, we saw some interesting officiating.
03:50 I wanted to just get your opinions on that and what can be improved,
03:55 certainly within the European game, to improve those decision-makers
03:59 so we don't see maybe such big errors made?
04:03 Yeah, I mean, I'm here to play football.
04:06 I hate commenting on the referees because I think it just becomes tick for tack.
04:10 I don't want to get into that.
04:12 I think, yeah, of course it's frustrating, but we've moved on from it
04:15 and that's Emma and Paul's job to deal with those things as a player.
04:18 I just try and stay out of it because, like you said, it can become frustrating.
04:24 But I don't know how to improve it.
04:26 I don't know if I love VAR or not.
04:28 So, yeah, it's not for me to comment on.
04:31 I just try and focus on the game and be in the moment and play
04:34 and have the best impact I can have
04:36 rather than let the referees control my emotions and feelings.
04:40 Appreciate it.
04:42 Thanks, James.
04:43 Can we come across to Emma Saunders next, please?
04:46 Hi, James. Hope you're well.
04:49 Hey.
04:50 Thanks for your time.
04:51 How are you?
04:52 Emma, I'll start with you.
04:53 I just want to ask you about the new development.
04:59 I know you've chatted about her quite a lot already this season
05:01 because obviously she's had a great start.
05:03 But I just wondered if there's anything that she's maybe...
05:06 Oh, Neve.
05:08 Yeah, I just wondered if there's anything different
05:12 or maybe just something that she's adapted this season
05:14 to sort of fulfil her potential
05:17 in the ways that we've obviously seen glimpses of.
05:20 But she seems to be doing it a lot more consistently.
05:23 I think it's probably a question for her than me
05:27 because only when you ask her you'll know what her learnings have been.
05:31 I think she's been in this place for quite some time.
05:34 I'd probably cite maybe February or March of last year
05:39 where I felt she's been in that place.
05:41 I don't think she's looked back.
05:43 In terms of the way that the team's setting up this year,
05:47 do you feel like you're getting...
05:49 Maybe it's that you're getting better up,
05:51 rather better for strengths maybe a little bit more
05:53 than you were last season?
05:55 I mean, I always intend to get the best out of her strengths.
05:59 It's just she's in a great place, she's on form,
06:02 it's all coming together.
06:04 I think she deserves a lot of credit for the work she's done
06:08 because it's all been Neve.
06:10 She's a top pro and she's, for me, a role model for many to look up to
06:18 of what you can do with hard work and application.
06:24 I guess this competition has been very important for several players
06:29 and Neve obviously being one of them.
06:31 When you play against opposition that provide different challenges
06:35 to what you're used to in the WSL,
06:37 does that give you so much more of an area to grow
06:41 than the usual weekly games against the same opposition
06:45 that you're used to playing?
06:47 Come and watch our training environment.
06:49 The opposition against each other every day is fierce.
06:52 I'm telling you that is as tough as it gets.
06:54 So our players, Neve included, are ready to play
06:59 against multiple different teams and we're an experienced side.
07:03 Neve in the last four years has developed a lot of experiences
07:08 against different opponents.
07:10 So none of this is a surprise to us.
07:12 Sam, just one for you quickly,
07:15 just on the way that the group has looked after the first round of fixtures.
07:21 Obviously I know it's still early days,
07:23 but how important is it to not lose ground?
07:26 And yeah, it feels like, while it's not a must win,
07:30 if you were to drop points again in this game,
07:32 it feels like that's early ground to have to make up in this angle.
07:35 Yeah, I think the Champions League is obviously really tough.
07:38 You play different opponents every week.
07:40 But we don't think like that.
07:42 We go into every game wanting to win, especially at home.
07:46 And obviously we have a lot of respect for every team in our group.
07:51 But when we go out, we expect to win.
07:53 So I mean, I definitely don't think about must wins or anything like that.
07:58 I'm just thinking about performing.
08:00 And I think if we play to the best of our ability,
08:02 I know we're only tied against Madrid away,
08:05 but I think last time we played them in the group,
08:08 our away point was an important point.
08:10 So I think come the end of the group,
08:13 that point will probably be a really important one again.
08:16 So you have to play every game as it comes.
08:19 You can't think about the future or the past in the Champions League.
08:22 You've just honestly got to focus one game at a time.
08:24 And that's what we'll do tomorrow.
08:26 That's all I've got to say tomorrow. Cheers.
08:29 Thanks.
08:30 Thanks, Emma. Can we come across to Dan next, please?
08:33 Hi, Emma. Hope you're well.
08:36 Hey.
08:37 Just wanted to know what you thought of Paris FC.
08:39 Obviously, I'm sure they're enjoying the journey in the Champions League.
08:42 But what have you made of them so far?
08:44 Really organised.
08:46 Tough to break down.
08:49 Deserving of the position they're in.
08:51 You know, they fluctuate between a 4-4-2 and a 4-2-3-1.
08:57 Very narrow formation.
08:59 They're very compact.
09:01 They'll make it difficult to play in between spaces.
09:03 And they're very good in transition,
09:06 trying to get down the sides.
09:08 As I've said before,
09:10 I think we respect them.
09:13 Look at the games they've won so far.
09:15 And I think in the game they played in their opening match against Heck,
09:20 and they were equally very good,
09:22 just on the losing side.
09:24 So, I think this will be an extremely tough game.
09:28 Obviously, it's Alsou Abdelina's lawn club.
09:34 So, how's she doing there?
09:36 And presumably, she won't give you any secrets?
09:39 Oh no, absolutely she won't give us any.
09:41 But it'll be lovely.
09:42 I know the girls will be excited to see her.
09:45 She was such a popular member of the team here.
09:48 So, everybody will really be looking forward to seeing her.
09:51 That's brilliant. Thanks Emma. Best of luck for tomorrow night.
09:55 Thanks.
09:57 Cheers though. Catherine next please.
09:58 Hi Emma. I just wanted to ask you about Adelina Jones.
10:06 Because Serena said yesterday that while she wasn't in the England squad,
10:09 she's very much in the conversation and somebody that they're thinking about.
10:13 And I think looking at her stats, she's got four goals from eight shots.
10:17 So, just kind of the thoughts of how well she's doing,
10:20 and is it evidence that the loan system, how valuable that is,
10:24 and how that's kind of helped her in her development this season?
10:27 Yeah, I think it's great that Aggie's in the conversations.
10:31 I agree with Serena.
10:33 I think Aggie's got work to do still.
10:35 Knowing when to go it alone in situations and when to link with others.
10:43 But she's such a good learner.
10:45 And she's, I think, unbelievably efficient in front of goal.
10:51 You know, the chances she's got, she's taken really well.
10:55 There's a competition going on between her and Sam Kerr on a daily basis,
10:59 which is fun to see.
11:01 They're driving standards for each other.
11:03 And she's someone, like I said, it's good for her to be in the conversation.
11:09 But it's also another good moment for us to show how important the loan system
11:14 has been for us.
11:16 And Aggie is the first Chelsea women's player to come through the academy system
11:22 all the way through.
11:23 It's been a long time coming.
11:25 And hopefully, Aggie will be the first of many to come through.
11:30 [inaudible]
11:50 Yeah, I'm feeling better.
11:52 Thank you.
11:54 But no, yeah, it's been a process.
11:56 Honestly, I've never really, since I've been at Chelsea,
11:59 dealt with a little bit of an injury or a niggle.
12:02 So it's been quite frustrating, to be honest.
12:04 And I'm used to myself being at such a high fitness level
12:08 and just being able to back up game after game,
12:10 training session after training session.
12:12 So it's been quite frustrating.
12:14 But I definitely feel like I'm on the up now.
12:16 And I'm still not at my peak, but I'm working towards it.
12:21 And, yeah, enjoying it.
12:24 Honestly, it's something that I haven't really dealt with in my career a lot.
12:28 So it's been a bit of a challenge.
12:30 But I feel like I've turned the corner now and I'm on the up.
12:35 [inaudible]
12:43 Hi Emma, hi.
12:44 Hi.
12:45 [inaudible]
12:50 How has it been for the younger players who are currently in there
12:52 just to see Aggie's progress over the last couple of seasons, actually?
12:57 It's been brilliant.
12:59 Of course, it's great for them.
13:01 And, you know, Aggie came back.
13:03 She went away an academy player on loan
13:06 and she came back very clearly a first team player.
13:09 That's been the big difference.
13:11 I think the team embraced her
13:14 and acknowledged how important that loan experience was.
13:17 And, of course, that makes it easier for the academy set up
13:21 to speak to young players about when you sign contracts
13:25 that there is a path and that pathway to first team
13:28 isn't directly into the first team.
13:31 It may involve multiple loans over multiple years
13:35 before that path happens.
13:37 And if you think Aggie's Everton and Bristol,
13:40 she has journeyed to get here.
13:42 And I think as a result of that, she's more readied.
13:46 And do you do just out of interest life skills training
13:48 for some of those young players coming through as well?
13:50 Handling, like, say, for example, if they're, you know, like, Aggie,
13:54 they make it through, they break through,
13:56 just that kind of being young and being your profile,
13:59 getting bigger, I suppose, with your talent?
14:02 Yeah, there's a team of people in the academy
14:05 that do various things with them,
14:07 from, you know, welfare, lifestyle, academy director, their coaches.
14:12 You know, they'll work through a number of different things
14:15 that are preparing them for life.
14:18 It's another generation too.
14:20 We're having to do a lot of education around social media
14:23 and their use of it.
14:24 And I think that's probably the most challenging one.
14:27 But we have to work with it at the same time.
14:30 But yeah, we certainly have built a strong infrastructure
14:34 around the players.
14:36 And a question for you both.
14:38 Just playing that first home game in the Champions League
14:41 at Stamford Bridge, and just, you know, your thoughts on that
14:44 rather than, like you say, the enclosed kind of King's Meadow
14:48 ground on top of you, Tottenham Field.
14:50 We love both stadiums for different reasons.
14:57 I do feel that Stamford Bridge is becoming more familiar.
15:01 And I think the more you play there, the better it will be for us.
15:06 I think the team doesn't mind where they are,
15:09 but we understand that for our growth and for competition
15:15 regulation requirements, we have to be at Stamford Bridge
15:18 and we'll embrace that.
15:20 That's great. Thanks. Thank you. Good luck. Bye.
15:23 Thank you.
15:24 Sandra, Charlotte, and then Tom, please.
15:27 Hi, Emma.
15:28 I know you said full focus on Chelsea.
15:33 Yes, and I meant it.
15:34 Tyler Pilger said she's sharing information and ideas with you.
15:38 You picked the US squad collaboratively,
15:40 and you will do that moving forward.
15:43 She'll come to the UK and have conversations with you
15:47 and hopefully vice versa is what she said.
15:49 Can you just clarify how your time is split between the US and Chelsea?
15:53 No, there is no split. My time is here with Chelsea.
15:57 Of course, since I've been appointed as the coach,
16:01 I've had conversations with people to establish that, you know,
16:06 there are full-time people in post in the US and I will be there in May.
16:10 And of course, when the opportunity arises,
16:14 I will have conversations with Twyla, but my full focus is on Chelsea.
16:19 Will you fly to the US during this international break for games?
16:23 I haven't decided yet.
16:25 I certainly focus on the next couple of games,
16:30 and if not, then I will try and take a Zoom call where possible.
16:34 I imagine you don't need to do a lot of research regarding the US players,
16:38 but presumably you're watching them in order to be able to pick the squad with Twyla.
16:42 No, I'm not watching them. I'm watching my own team.
16:45 I'm watching our competition.
16:47 You know, that's the work of Twyla and the full-time staff that are in place.
16:50 I don't start working for US soccer until May.
16:53 Thanks Emma.
16:54 Thanks.
16:55 Hey Sam.
16:56 Hello.
16:57 Great to hear that you're better.
16:59 I just wanted to hear what you feel like you've done well at the start of the season
17:03 and what you really want to improve on.
17:05 I feel like for me it's kind of been a bit of a build the first few games of the season.
17:14 I obviously wasn't, you know, I missed out on pre-season, missed a lot of the World Cup,
17:19 so I hadn't really trained when I came back to Chelsea in like 10 to 12 weeks.
17:23 So for me it's been just getting my legs back onto my fitness,
17:28 you know, finding my way in the game.
17:30 Obviously, are you laughing at me?
17:34 Obviously, like I haven't been at my fittest,
17:36 but I think for me it's been a real positive that although I haven't been at my fittest
17:41 and maybe my top level that I've scored a few goals.
17:45 And that's given me confidence because I think as a striker when you're not at your top fitness
17:50 or I mean you're not in the groove I guess, you can lose a little bit of confidence.
17:55 But the fact that I've scored a few goals and helped the team out has given me confidence
18:00 and allowed me to kind of focus on just building myself back in.
18:04 And I'll get there I think in the next two to three weeks.
18:09 I'll hopefully be back at my fitness.
18:11 And these last few blocks of games where there's been game after game after game has really helped me
18:16 because I feel like I play my best when there's repeat games,
18:20 but I just maybe haven't been as fit as I usually was or last year.
18:24 But yeah, I think for me I've taken confidence out of the fact that I haven't been at my best,
18:29 but I've scored a few and had a few assists.
18:32 So that's been nice for me as a striker.
18:34 Any key targets you want to achieve this season?
18:37 Win the Champions League.
18:39 That's the main one.
18:41 I also noticed your Aura Ring.
18:43 Did you have that before the club provided them?
18:45 And how has that helped you monitor physical, mental recovery?
18:50 No, I actually just got it from the club.
18:52 It's been quite interesting.
18:54 I've only been wearing it for like two weeks now, but it's just been interesting.
18:57 I don't really pay attention to all of that stuff.
18:59 I don't really think it's – I mean, not that I don't think it's beneficial,
19:03 but I think it's a little bit like –
19:05 Tell the truth.
19:06 The more you know, the more you make excuses.
19:08 So I just kind of think like I don't want to know what's wrong.
19:11 Have you been running to Georgie every day she's been in to tell her how well you've been doing?
19:16 Oh no, I actually got a little bit of a cold over the weekend
19:19 and my Aura Ring told me on game day, "Oh, your temperature's rising,"
19:23 but I didn't feel sick and then that night I got a little bit sick,
19:25 so I thought it was quite interesting.
19:27 My ring told me that I was about to get sick, but I don't like those things
19:31 because I hate when you wake up in the morning and your ring tells you you've had a bad sleep
19:35 because it just gives you an excuse to be tired.
19:39 But it's all right. I actually don't mind it. It's okay.
19:42 Wishing you a good night's sleep before the game. Thanks.
19:46 Thanks, Charlotte. Last one from Tom, please.
19:49 Hi, everyone. You can hear me all right in the heart, yeah?
19:54 Just before I ask the question, can I just quickly say congratulations to Sam?
19:59 I'm sure I speak for everyone. I was very pleased to hear about your engagement.
20:02 Massive congratulations.
20:03 Thank you.
20:04 Thank you.
20:05 And anyway, can I just clarify one thing on Halsu?
20:09 Abdelina has been conflicting media reports, some saying she can't play, some saying she can.
20:14 Can you clarify whether she can play against Chelsea tomorrow?
20:17 Paul's nodding his head, yes, she can.
20:20 Okay, thank you. That's helpful.
20:22 I just wanted to ask you a question about Hannah Hampton.
20:26 She's in the England squad, great to see.
20:28 Serena Viggon was essentially saying that Ellie Roebuck's not in it because she's not playing for her club.
20:34 I guess I'm wondering whether we might therefore see Hannah involved in any of these Champions League group stage games
20:39 or have you got any plans to give her a run out in a competitive game?
20:44 No, I haven't given it any thought.
20:46 Are you pleased so far with her development?
20:51 Oh, sorry, the second part. Yeah, no, Hannah's been great.
20:55 Hannah and I agreed that this block would be all about developing in training and working into the team on a daily basis.
21:07 I'm sure we'll sit down before international break and start to discuss what the next block looks like.
21:13 But so far, really, really good.
21:15 And I can only judge her based on what she's doing day in, day out.
21:19 And she's been brilliant in her environment.
21:21 Thank you so much.
21:23 Sam, can I just ask you one question about Paris FC, just to follow on from what Emil was saying?
21:27 As you say, there's no risk of complacency.
21:29 Does the team appreciate how dangerous Paris FC can be?
21:33 Yeah, absolutely.
21:34 I mean, I think you saw with the results against Wolfsburg and Arsenal to beat two really good teams over two legs shows that they're an amazing team.
21:43 But just watching them in previous games, they look really good going forward.
21:49 And like Emil said, they look really disciplined.
21:52 So, I mean, you can't take any team lightly in the Champions League or any league for that matter.
21:58 But I think with them, they're kind of riding this wave at the moment that can be quite dangerous if you don't take them seriously.
22:03 So, hopefully tomorrow we can play really well and shut them down.
22:08 But yeah, they're definitely a team that we have to respect, not only because of their results lately, but because when a team has confidence like this, they can be really dangerous.
22:16 Thank you both very much. Good luck.
22:19 Thanks.
22:20 Thanks, everyone.
22:22 Cheers, guys.
22:24 Cheers.
22:25 Cheers.
22:26 Well, yeah, two weeks ago she was like Charlotte.
22:54 (laughing)