WSL: Emma Hayes' honest response to how she's changed since joining Chelsea | OneFootball

Emma Hayes is ready to challenge for her fourth consecutive Women’s Super League title with Chelsea as the 2022/23 season prepares to launch.

The Blues clinched their fifth league title last campaign, rounding their silverware count under their long-serving manager up to 11 major trophies.

This season marks Hayes’ tenth year in charge of Chelsea and she reflected on her decade at the club in an interview with Sky Sports.

Ahead of the champions’ opening match against Liverpool on Sunday, Hayes was asked how much she feels she has changed since she first signed with the Blues in 2012.

She gave an honest response in true Hayes fashion.

“I’ve aged, what else?” she smiled. “My jokes have gotten worse, I think that’s probably fair to say.

“Anything else? No, that’s about it.”

How do Chelsea look ahead of the new season?

During the summer transfer window, Chelsea lost veterans Ji So-yun and Drew Spence, but they have also strengthened their already well-stacked roster.

The champions signed the likes of midfielder Katerina Svitkova, who joined the club from WSL rivals West Ham, as well as Canadian international Kadeisha Buchanan from European heavyweights Lyon.

Additions of Eve Perisset, Lucy Watson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd round off the team’s summer business.

The five newcomers join the likes of Magdalena Eriksson, Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr, who won her second consecutive WSL Golden Boot last season.

Chelsea also boast the likes of Norwegian international Guro Reiten and rising star Lauren James.

English trio Millie Bright, Fran Kirby and Bethany England rejoin the ranks after enjoying success at Euro 2022.

The three were part of the history-making Lionesses side that ended the nation’s 56-year long wait for silverware.

Chelsea finished the 2021/22 season with 56 points, just one ahead of title rivals Arsenal. They won 18 games, drew two and lost two.

The Blues scored a total of 62 goals and conceded just 11 throughout the campaign.

Following on from Euro 2022

After a record-breaking 87,192 strong crowd packed out Wembley stadium for the Euro 2022 final, more eyes are on the women’s game than ever.

Clubs have reported record numbers of season ticket sales since the summer and with matches also being shown on both Sky Sports and the BBC, the WSL is set for another thrilling season with an even bigger audience.