Emma Hayes’ quest for Champions League glory with Chelsea

On Wednesday evening in Madrid, Emma Hayes will commence her eighth and final Champions League campaign as Chelsea manager. Despite a trophy-laden 11-year tenure at the club, the pinnacle of European football remains the only piece of silverware that has eluded her.

Hayes emphasizes that she already possesses a winners’ medal from 2007 when she served as an assistant coach at Arsenal. Reflecting on this, she stated, “I have already won the Champions League, and that meant the world to me… It’s very firmly there in my cabinet. I’ve got a gold one and I’ve got a silver one.” However, she acknowledges the desire to secure the title as Chelsea’s manager.

Chelsea’s journey in Europe under Hayes has been marked by steady progress. Yet, it has not been a linear path. Frustration has often characterized their previous runs at the trophy, facing setbacks against Wolfsburg, their historical nemesis. The 2020-21 campaign saw a breakthrough as Chelsea reached the final but suffered a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in Gothenburg.

Year after year, Hayes has enhanced her squad with world-class players, aiming to take that final step. This season, the arrivals of Ashley Lawrence and Catarina Macario add depth to a team already filled with domestic champions.

However, the challenge for Hayes becomes more formidable with each passing year. This season, Chelsea finds themselves in a demanding group alongside Real Madrid, Paris FC, and Häcken. The landscape of women’s football is evolving, evident in the absence of traditional powerhouses like Wolfsburg, Arsenal, and Juventus in the group stage.

Real Madrid, despite the absence of Caroline Weir due to injury, presents a formidable challenge with talents such as Linda Caicedo, Athenea del Castillo, and Hayley Raso. Paris FC, labeled giant-slayers this campaign, have already eliminated strong opponents like Arsenal and Wolfsburg.

Häcken, narrowly missing out on the Damallsvenskan title, boasts a competitive squad featuring the promising England youngster Ruby Grant.

While Barcelona and Lyon remain favorites, Chelsea’s journey is far from straightforward. Group C, labeled the “group of death,” features Bayern Munich, PSG, Roma, and Ajax. The competition is fierce, and Hayes has consistently warned against complacency.

As Emma Hayes embarks on her final Champions League campaign with Chelsea, the dream of securing the elusive title remains alive. The group stage will serve as a litmus test for their aspirations, showcasing how well they are positioned for a potential run at the trophy.