The spectre of fixture congestion is causing headaches for Emma Hayes and her staff.
With Chelsea Women taking on Barcelona Femeni at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Saturday 22 April at 12.30pm, that weekend's planned game at home to Leicester has been postponed.
Then the second leg in Spain, on Thursday 27 April, has forced the postponement of the league tie at West Ham. It means two more matches will have to be shoehorned into May’s already tight list.
If the Blues succeed in overcoming Aston Villa in the Women’s FA Cup semi-final this Sunday (a 2.15pm kick-off match which is live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer), that will knock out the weekend of 14 May for the Wembley final.
In many ways, it’s a lovely problem to have... but recent injuries, notably to defender Millie Bright, have shown where Hayes will need to strengthen the squad in the summer if Chelsea are to continue fighting on all fronts.
Tuesday evening’s friendly between the Lionesses and Australia saw Sam Kerr pitched against the England players she knows so well… with a serious wake-up call given to Sarina Weigman’s European champions, previously unbeaten in 30 games.
Kerr was a wrecking ball, scoring first, then setting up the second in a comprehensive 2-0 win. Hayes, commentating on the telly, found herself pulled in two directions – her national pride dented, but her managerial delight at her Chelsea striker’s effectiveness also evident.
It means that Australia, who co-host the Women’s World Cup this summer, have renewed belief, particularly if Kerr is fed the kind of long, looping through balls she’s used to at Chelsea, and which teed up her goal at Brentford’s stadium.
“It’s obviously a really big performance for us,” said Kerr with understatement after the game. The Matildas also had several key players missing through injury, so if they return to fitness ahead of June they will be a formidable force.
Lauren James, who came on as a sub in the Australia match, was arguably the brightest England player on show, while Jess Carter started well, but struggled at times before being subbed.
Now the focus turns to the Midlands and the Blues’ weekend date with destiny against Aston Villa, with the carrot of another Wembley visit dangling tantalisingly.
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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