Emma Hayes' USWNT revelation, injury & Champions League bid – Why Lionesses star Millie Bright has become a ‘mother’ at Chelsea in ‘chaotic’ campaign

The England international is, at 30 years of age, one of the more experienced figures in the Blues camp. She is also club captain, meaning that leadership has to be provided to those around her on and off the field. Bright has never been one to shy away from that kind of responsibility.

She has told BBC Sport of stepping up in a season that has delivered personal fitness setbacks, quests for WSL and Champions League glory and the news of talismanic coach Hayes preparing to leave for the United States: “I feel like I've been a bit of a mother this season. I'm a people person and I take care of the ones around me, whether that's staff or players. I've felt an extra need to do that this year. This season has been one of the most chaotic. We've had players injured, new signings coming in and the announcement of Emma leaving. It feels like there's been so much crammed into one season. We've had a lot to take care of so I'm so proud of the girls' mentality, their professionalism and the way they've handled those situations. It's been a difficult season, for sure.”

Chelsea have slipped from the WSL summit, but hold a 1-0 lead over Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final clash heading into the second leg of that tie at Stamford Bridge on Saturday – with over 34,000 tickets sold for that fixture. Bright added on European ambition: “We are definitely the underdogs in this draw and that's fine - we know our place and our role. But as Emma always says, any team can be beaten. It's how you set yourselves up to do that. I know everyone said [the first leg] was an absolute masterclass by Emma. It was a credit to the players to buy into that game plan - and it worked, we got the result. We will give everything and it's extra motivation knowing that this is Emma's last season. We need every single fan there. We need the stadium packed and absolutely rocking. The fans make an incredible impact on the game. We felt it when we went to Barcelona.”

Hayes is set to take charge of the USWNT when the 2023-24 campaign comes to a close. Her first piece of business there will be the Olympic Games in Paris, with the proven winner hoping to embrace that challenge with a first Champions League crown added to her distinguished CV.