Sarina Wiegman should be thanking Emma Hayes! Chelsea boss reveals why Lionesses star Fran Kirby did not start Champions League victory over Paris FC

The England star was omitted from the starting XI against the UWCL giant killers at Stamford Bridge, with Hayes opting to field Sjoeke Nusken, Erin Cuthbert and Jessie Fleming in midfield. However, with the scores level at 1-1 heading into half time, the Chelsea boss opted to introduce Kirby for Fleming, with the Blues going on to score three unanswered, second-half goals - two of which were registered by Sam Kerr as she completed a 55-minute hat trick.

Asked why Kirby did not start, Hayes explained that she had one eye on keeping the attacking midfielder fit for England's upcoming games. "I felt there was a lot of work out of possession that over 90 minutes might have been too much for Fran I said this to Sarina [Wiegman] this morning. It’s so important we keep her healthy for England and Chelsea," she said.

"And while Fran always wants to play in every moment, I felt that was the perfect cameo for her. The team needed it. I thought we didn’t work close enough to Sam [Kerr] in the first half, I thought we struggled to build in a double pivot. I changed that shape after 20 minutes but we were sloppy in the first half."

Kirby was recently named in Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad for vital UEFA Women's Nations League clashes against the Netherlands and Scotland. Following an unexpected away defeat to Belgium in the last international break, England's chances of qualifying for the finals - and thus securing Great Britain's place at next year's Olympic football tournament - are out of their hands.

Kirby has earned 67 England caps during her career so far, during which time she's netted 18 goals. She made her Lionesses debut all the way back in 2014, scoring in a 4-0 friendly win over Sweden.

Kirby is likely to get the nod over the out-of-form Ella Toone for at least one of England's game next week. Before then, Chelsea host Leicester in the WSL. After successive games at Stamford Bridge, that match will see them returning to Kingsmeadow.