In retrospect, introducing a new kit design incorporating a yellow streak might not have been Chelsea Women’s best idea ahead of the Women’s Champions League final.
The garish background of blue chequers and zig-zags, accented by that line of spilt custard, isn’t the most pleasing colour combo on the eye.
The Blues-and-Yellows (as they may now have to be known) previewed next season’s version of their home kit against Barcelona in Gothenburg – and were duly thumped 4-0 in the match that gaffer Emma Hayes most wanted to win.
The men tried out the same kit in the FA Cup final at Wembley... and also lost (though it’s hard to begrudge ex-Chelsea youth coach Brendan Rodgers his achievement).
Chelsea’s new-look socks also have yellow bands, evoking happy images of buttercups, bananas, egg yolks, butter and daffodils, as well as that regrettable connotation of fleeing an enemy.
Tears flowed in Sweden after a combination of luck and naivety saw a superior Spanish side strung together the kind of passes Chelsea usually generate to put the game beyond doubt in a frantic 35-minute first-half spell.
It was the kind of overwhelming display that Chelsea are used to meting out against lesser opposition at Kingsmeadow, week in week out.
But being on the receiving end of a drubbing is outside the experience of many in Hayes’ squad, and repairing bruised egos will involve a lot of careful work.
“Emma doesn’t get angry – she's a rational human being. She’ll tell you off if you’re not doing well enough. But she’s not an angry person,” said skipper Magda Eriksson when asked to paint a picture of the manager’s dressing room manner.
Hayes herself was gracious in defeat, as you’d expect from this wise owl, even though the pain was obvious.
“Coaching is like a hobby. I’m just doing something I love every day. This is not a job. Lucky me,” was how she summed up her role ahead of that defining match.
How she ‘builds better’ in the summer, to create the squad capable of going a step further will be fascinating to observe.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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