Emma Hayes praised the development of Ajax and said their rise had come as no surprise, as she prepared her Chelsea side for Tuesday night’s first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in Amsterdam.
This season, Ajax became the first Dutch team to reach the group stage. Despite being grouped with tough teams such as Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Roma, Ajax managed to secure three home victories at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. While they may be considered the lesser team, Hayes acknowledges that they pose a significant threat to their upcoming opponent, Chelsea.
The Chelsea manager recalled playing against Ajax in a pre-season game about a year and a half ago. Despite a draw in Portugal, he noticed their potential and predicted they would become a top team in Europe. This came as no surprise to him, as Ajax has been nurturing their own talent and gaining valuable experience by playing together. The general manager, Paul Green, shared the same observation.
Hayes specifically mentioned Sherida Spitse, who is currently suspended, as a prime example of Ajax’s talent. “Even though Spitse won’t be playing tomorrow, I greatly admire her skills as a football player. Ajax is a club with clear ambitions in Europe, and they have proven that already. We have previously faced them, so we are fully aware of how strong they are and will not underestimate them.”
Hayes praised Ajax’s 16-year-old midfielder, Lily Yohannes. He acknowledged her incredible talent and expressed admiration for her ability to play at such a high level for a top European team at such a young age in the center midfield position. He specifically noted her exceptional final pass and her skill in navigating tight spaces and escaping pressure. Hayes also emphasized Yohannes’ maturity and vision, stating that her execution on the field is of high quality.
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Chelsea easily advanced through the group stage, finishing first in Group D with 14 points. Their competitors, Häcken, Paris FC, and Real Madrid, trailed behind. In addition, Chelsea bolstered their Champions League team by including Catarina Macario, as well as the January recruits Mayra Ramírez and Nathalie Björn, in response to the injuries of Sam Kerr, Millie Bright, and Mia Fishel.
Supervising Macario’s comeback after being absent for 20 months has been a diligent task, but she is nearing her debut after making three substitute appearances and scoring two goals. According to Hayes, “My team of experienced staff have collaborated to fully comprehend all aspects of Cat’s medical background, her time off the field since her last game, and the careful management of her return, despite encountering some challenges along the way.”
“Cat is highly regarded among our team members. She has a delightful personality and is highly charismatic. Recently, I’ve noticed she has become a bit more mischievous. When filling out a form to be considered for the Olympic roster, she joked, ‘Just pick me already!’ Although Cat is not fully recovered, she is close to being ready to play.”
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After Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Arsenal on Friday night, all of the players will have an additional day off, which is a much-needed break as the team prepares for a busy schedule. Manager Emma Hayes acknowledged that the month of March was particularly challenging, with six out of eight games being played away and three of those being played in a span of seven days up north.
The manager approached midfielder Erin Cuthbert and inquired about its effects. Cuthbert responded by saying how having an extra day is valuable for players as it allows more time for recovery. In addition, it serves as a mental break during the weekend. Cuthbert also mentioned having her family visit, which helped provide a reset from the intense nature of football and the high expectations of winning every game at Chelsea.
Source: theguardian.com
