Hayes on the World Cup, injury concerns and player recruitment
Chelsea Ladies head coach Emma Hayes tells West London Sport that the mid-season break is a perfect time to take in even more football, catch up with friends and learn from the sport’s showpiece event.
Hayes, who has guided her undefeated Chelsea side to the top of the Women’s Super League and to next month’s Women’s FA Cup final, is currently working as a World Cup analyst.
A working holiday
“If I wasn’t working here I would be watching all the games anyway and not switching off. This is the job; it is relentless. If you want excellence you have to put in the time. I can totally understand why managers take sabbaticals when they finish a job but I don’t plan, or want, to take a break soon.”
Watching with a Chelsea hat on
“As Chelsea Ladies manager I have been watching the games with my hand in my mouth hoping and praying that they all come back fit and healthy – the same as any other club manager. Ji So-Yun had a hamstring injury before their quarter-final and I was praying the manager would not play her injured. Thankfully she didn’t play. You don’t want to destroy a player’s career for the sake of short-term interest.”
World Cup wary
“Scouting as such at the World Cup does not interest me now. I did it earlier in my career but I am more interested in trends in the game and advancements than scouting. Of course it is good to see players from Thailand, Cameroon etc, and it deepens the player pool, but I never sign a player just on the back of a World Cup.
“Recruiting is a big part of my job, but it is always a part of the job – not just at the World Cup, it’s just that most people are far more aware of other players at a World Cup. I am always looking at players whether it is the World Cup, Euros or other games.”
England
“Reaching the quarter-finals was the minimum aim and I said I fully expected them to beat Canada – which they did. The talent in the squad meant they should have reached the last eight. England have grown in to the tournament. They have been building momentum nicely and getting the key moments right. The tinkering has proved that the strength in depth is there. Any of the players in the squad can come in – it’s not the 11 that wins games.”
A break or a hindrance?
“We had four games in 15 days so you could say we needed a break, but other than that it doesn’t help any team. It breaks the stride and pattern and is far from ideal but it is what it is. We had a great start to the season and are looking forward to getting back in to it. We are top of the league and have a cup final to look forward to. Things have been going great.
“But before that it’s incredible to see the interest the World Cup has created. Seeing matches live on the BBC is amazing and does great things for the game and our league.”
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