New Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor reveals why Blues will 'rely' on Lionesses star Millie Bright this season

Former Lyon manager Bompastor has hailed the leadership qualities of England captain Bright ahead of the new Women's Super League season. The Frenchwoman has big shoes to fill following Hayes' exit, but having players like centre-back Bright will make her job a lot easier.

She told Chelsea's website: "I think it’s really important to have leaders in the team. Millie has been one of those leaders and I think you can tell from those conversations I had with her on the phone that she’s such a great athlete, but also such a great person. She is for sure one of the players in the squad who I will rely on. She’s not the only one, but she is a leader in this squad."

Chelsea clinched their fifth-straight WSL title in Hayes' last season in charge of the club before taking the USWNT job. Bompastor could be an excellent successor for Hayes after winning a heap of trophies at Lyon but coming into a new team is never easy and she will need her new players to get behind her if they want to hold off challengers Manchester City and Arsenal.

Chelsea are just over a month away from the new WSL season but before then, Bompastor's side take on Gotham FC on August 19, followed by a clash with Arsenal six days later. They then round off their pre-season campaign against Feyenoord on September 7.