‘She is really tough on me at times’ - Chelsea star Erin Cuthbert opens up on ‘interesting’ Emma Hayes management style ahead of USWNT takeover

Hayes brought the Scotland international to the club from Glasgow City back in 2017 as a teenager and she has since gone on to establish herself as a vital player. During that time Cuthbert has benefitted from the insight of the Chelsea boss and she has now opened up on their working relationship.

Asked about Hayes' influence in an interview published in the club's matchday programme, Cuthbert said: "Emma and I have an interesting relationship. She’s super demanding of me, but that’s how I respond best. I like being challenged. I don’t mind having tough conversations or her calling me out. Equally, Emma’s the first one to praise me, and I do appreciate that, because she is really tough on me at times. She expects a lot from me, but I think the only reason she does is because she knows I’m capable of it."

Cuthbert and Hayes' bond will be severed at the end of the season when the Blues manager takes over as USWNT head coach. It is not yet known who will succeed her in the Chelsea hot seat, though it won't be Casey Stoney, who recently signed a new contract at San Diego Wave. Elisabet Gunnarsdottir and Laura Harvey are understood to be two candidates in the running, with the Chelsea squad requesting that Hayes' replacement is a woman.

Cuthbert will currently be enjoying some well-earned rest after captaining Chelsea to a hard-fought victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The 25-year-old scored the winner in the contest and will be hoping to retain the armband for the Blues' WSL clash with Brighton on Saturday.