Hayes: I don’t care when we play Man City - we have to win all our games to retain title
By Paul Lagan
Chelsea have three league games left and need to win them all to retain their WSL title according to coach Emma Hayes.
Following their thrashing of Birmingham City 6-0 on Sunday afternoon, Hayes said: “We know how difficult it will be to win that title - we have to win every game which will be difficult considering our schedules. It’s relentless for the players.”
Manchester City are just two points behind the west Londoners and are next up on April 25. But it’s a game that’s likely to be postponed due to Chelsea’s participation in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
Hayes said: “We know anything can happen in a single game. I would not want to go into that game with any other players. I know those players have come through many different situations and they will have to go through it again.
“The only request I have is we have a free week between the two semi-final matches - apart from that I don’t care when we play them.”
Sam Kerr netted a hat-trick against Brum with her striking partner in crime Fran Kirby snatching a brace with substitute Guro Reiten showing what a class act she is too, getting the other goal.
But Hayes attributed the win to all the players
She said: “It was a performance that the whole squad contributed to. Everyone has to perform at the same level. This was the first game when I thought that whoever I put in, there would not be a drop in standard - it was a complete performance.”
But of Kerr, she said: “On her third goal, I thought she was going to leap out of the stadium. She delivers that vital blow whenever the team needs it.
“That’s what’s so exceptional. She pounces gazelle-like. She has confidence and intelligence which is growing every week. I call her a doll - the ultimate team player, she would sacrifice herself for the team.
“Her goals speak for themselves. She’s at her happiest at the moment. She has worked on her ability to link play and hold up the ball.”
Kerr is not the only ultimate team player in west London, Reiten gets that plaudit too.
“She is an exceptionally talented footballer,” said Hayes.
“She adds so much value to us in the team - the ultimate team player.”
