Emma Hayes Reveals the Winning Formula: Pochettino Partnership and Squad Evolution for Chelsea's WSL Title Pursuit

Only a remarkable manager can consistently secure league titles with one team, especially when faced with the continuous evolution and changes within the squad. This distinction holds true in the realm of men's football, where figures like Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola come to mind. However, in women's football, none have achieved this feat quite like Emma Hayes of Chelsea.

The Blues' pursuit of their fifth consecutive Women's Super League title this season is the driving force behind their unparalleled success and the admiration they command. With a string of records under their belt, they have become the team that everyone strives to defeat. Despite significant departures this summer, including Magdalena Eriksson and Pernille Harder, the team has bolstered its ranks with the formidable acquisitions of Ashley Lawrence, Hannah Hampton, Catarina Macario, and Mia Fishel.

Chelsea is entering a new era as they strive to maintain their hold on the WSL trophy. However, how does Hayes determine when a squad cycle is approaching its conclusion?

"It's likely a mix of various factors," Hayes shared exclusively with We. This weekend, Chelsea will face West Ham in a match that will be broadcast live on We Premier League and Football.

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Firstly, my primary focus is always on assessing the availability of training. Our objective is to have our players on the field for 90 to 95 percent of the time. It is crucial to ensure that we have an adequate number of players who are actively participating in both competitive matches and daily training sessions, irrespective of the score.

Additionally, I consider the injury history of each player as it may serve as an indicator for potential future issues. I also gather relevant data pertaining to recovery, which provides valuable insights into areas that are significant to us.

Currently, it is essential to consider the contractual status of individuals in the game. This can be a simple or intricate task, depending on the circumstances.

Moreover, there are potential chances in the market to recruit players at a younger age, which may influence decision-making. However, this process now involves a group of individuals, not solely myself and Chelsea's general manager, Paul Green.

Hayes approaches player recruitment and improvement in a multi-faceted manner, similar to the complexity of the end of a squad cycle. She believes that certain transfers can take years to materialize, emphasizing her unwavering determination to propel both the team and the club to reach their utmost potential. This drive serves as the underlying motivation behind all of her actions.

"I have a passion for constructing and creating," she stated, defining herself. "My desire to build and establish foundations for lasting success is what drives me.

"Throughout my career, I have consistently strived for leaving a positive impact before my time is up. This principle is at the core of my mindset, and I am unwavering in my pursuit to constantly exceed expectations. This commitment is a requirement for both my role and the team I lead."

I believe the transfer process has likely undergone changes during my 11-year tenure here. Over the course of my coaching career, I have likely established a successful scouting network and an extensive list of contacts, which have proven valuable in various instances.

With time, this process has become more structured and has extended beyond just myself and Paul conducting extensive scouting and recruitment activities. Now, we have a dedicated team that primarily focuses on monitoring the top under-23-year-old players from around the world. As someone who thoroughly enjoys women's football, I consistently keep an eye on it, gaining insights into players who I believe would be a good fit for our team. This enables us to engage in detailed planning and preparation."

"We will analyze the average age of our squad and consider how we envision it in the next 12 or 24 months. We want to anticipate the direction of the game. Our focus has been primarily on signing players through free transfers, but I believe that approach will shift in the future.

"This is a gradual process of evolution. My philosophy revolves around the question, 'Can we adapt while maintaining success?' It's not about abrupt changes and starting from scratch. Instead, we need to provide gradual exposure and opportunities to our players over a span of one or two years to ensure their readiness. Moreover, each player's journey is unique, and there is no standardized plan for any of them."

An instance Hayes presents is that of defender Niamh Charles, who has been pushing higher up the field for Chelsea in their two matches this season. This adjustment in position was disclosed by the Blues manager, highlighting that it had been a work in progress for a year.

She has been preparing for this role for the past year, training in the background. In terms of her development, there was a chance for her to play with England. However, I believe she needed to face both positive and negative experiences to gain the necessary skills. Now, I truly believe she is prepared.

"That's a pleasant dilemma for Sarina [Wiegman], but I firmly believe that Niamh Charles is prepared for the next level. In my opinion, her performances at the beginning of the season have been outstanding, making her the top player on our team.

"It truly reflects her dedication and effort, especially in the past two years when things haven't always been smooth - inconsistency and limited playing time.

"I enjoy utilizing Niamh's experiences to demonstrate the impact of hard work on her determination and passion. I am eager for the upcoming progress."

Charles played a crucial role in Chelsea's victory over Tottenham in the opening weekend, providing assistance for both goals. He continued his good performance by assisting in a last-minute draw against Manchester City, despite them only having nine players on the field.

These games marked the return of key players Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby, who had been dealing with their own injuries during the summer. Additionally, even though Chelsea has excelled in almost every attacking aspect, their shot conversion rate has been lower than anticipated.

During our match against Man City, we faced a team with only nine players, which influenced the outcome. This resulted in our expected goals (xG) being potentially higher, and it may have affected our shot statistics, leading to some distortion in the overall performance analysis.

Additionally, we have not had the opportunity to play alongside Sam Kerr, who is our leading striker and plays as an outright number nine. As we witnessed in the first game, Mia showcased immense talent, but she is still adjusting to the demands of the WSL due to her physical condition.

"So we've had no Sam Kerr or Fran Kirby - levels that we know we have to be at are missing, so that is going to take time to get going and you have to be patient with that.

We have had a positive week, but we still need to maintain our high level of performance. As long as our team keeps progressing as we anticipate, we hope for this success to continue. Furthermore, alongside the changes in the women's team, the club has also welcomed Mauricio Pochettino in the men's division. Pochettino, who initially started his managerial career with the women's team, has spent the current international break with Hayes and her squad.

Hayes teased that due to her lasting popularity, she has missed encountering Pochettino multiple times. However, she has utilized her extended time at Chelsea to assist the Argentine manager and his team in adjusting to the club.

"Mauricio has visited a few times this week, but unfortunately I have either been occupied or the game had just concluded. Nevertheless, he has made efforts, and when I finally crossed paths with him on Thursday, I jokingly mentioned, 'I have finally made it, but I can't help being popular!"

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"I showed him around the building, introducing him to our staff and players. He always takes pride in proclaiming that his initial coaching experience was with a women's team at Espanyol."

I have assisted him in every possible way to spread awareness about the club. He is an intelligent individual, a kind-hearted and dedicated manager. I have no doubt that he, Jesus Perez (long-time assistant to Pochettino), and my staff team will always make time to sit down and have a coffee or a [yerba] mate together.

The Women's Super League (WSL) will be the main focus this weekend as Chelsea hosts their first home game of the season at Kingsmeadow. They will face a revitalized West Ham team under the guidance of their new boss, Rehanne Skinner.

Hayes and Skinner are among the five female managers in the WSL. The Chelsea boss desires greater acknowledgment of the impact women have in football clubs.

"I'm delighted for Rehanne. It is uncommon to witness women being rehired. While male managers in the women's game often receive rehiring opportunities, female managers rarely do," expressed Hayes.

"She's a talented coach and it doesn't just mean that whenever you have a set back, it makes you a bad coach. I am sure she is all all the better for her experience at Tottenham.

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Regarding the hiring processes, I am not familiar with how everyone goes about it, but I have consistently expressed that there are numerous skilled female coaches, not only in England, but worldwide.

It is crucial for clubs to make diligent efforts in acknowledging the significance of including females in their staff or leadership roles and the positive influence it can have, provided that the suitable candidate is chosen, as it is crucial to make the right decision.

Watch Chelsea vs West Ham live on We Premier League and Football from 5pm on Saturday; kick-off 5.30pm. Watch free in-game clips and match highlights across We' digital platforms.