WSL season finale: Hayes relaxed as Chelsea bid to hold off Arsenal

Emma Hayes has said she is pleased Chelsea remained competitive this season despite having a squad in transition as she prepared for the Women’s Super League title to be decided on Sunday.

“We’re in a healthy place,” said the manager, who will say goodbye to the long-serving Ji So-yun, Jonna Andersson and Drew Spence at the end of the campaign. “I think we had an ageing squad, we’ve had to try and address that balance and to compete while you’re transitioning. That’s really tough. As a coach it’s why I’m pleased we’re in the position to compete, because that’s the hardest thing to do, trust me, when you’re transitioning ages.”

Chelsea are one point clear of Arsenal going into the final day of the season and will win a third consecutive title if their result at home to Manchester United is not bettered by Arsenal, who play at West Ham. The journey has not been easy for Hayes amid injuries, key absences during the Asia Cup and ongoing worries about the fatigue suffered by the England forward Fran Kirby.

“I would say [the bonds are deeper and stronger as a result],” said Hayes. “Man City had trouble at the beginning part of the year and they struggled. We lost Magda Eriksson for three months, Pernille Harder for large chunks, the girls at the Asian Cup for large chunks, Melanie Leupolz, Maren Mjelde. We expected Maren to be back last August, we’d planned for Maren to be back – huge losses. My question is how many top teams would have coped with that and still be there?”

If there is pressure going into the final day, then an FA Cup final against City the following Sunday, Hayes says she is not feeling it. “I’m from a council estate. Trust me, pressure was putting money on the table to pay the bill; this is not pressure. Look