Chelsea expect to be in Women’s Champions League semi-finals, says boss Emma Hayes

Emma Hayes says Chelsea “expect to be” in the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League after securing their spot for a second season running by dispatching Dutch side Ajax.

Chelsea were beaten in the semi-finals by champions Barcelona last season.

“We expect to be here, I should say that,” said Hayes.

“If you look at our record in the Champions League, even in the last five years, it was only once we didn’t qualify from the group. We’ve made the latter stages every [other] year.

“I don’t make any excuses, we should be at this level and we should be at the semi-finals. Of course we have a little bit more depth to be able to do things like make more changes [on Wednesday] than we’ve ever had.

“But we haven’t won anything, we’re in the place we want to be. I don’t know who the opponent will be – but we’re ready.”

Chelsea could set up another meeting with Barcelona in the last four. The Spanish giants have a 2-1 aggregate lead going into the second leg of their quarter-final tie with Brann on Thursday.

Hayes, who leaves Chelsea in the summer to manage the United States women’s national team, hopes to guide her side to the quadruple this season but will need to rely on every member of the squad after being hit with long-term injuries.

As well as chasing a first European crown, Chelsea are top of the Women’s Super League, face Arsenal in the Women’s League Cup final on Sunday and play Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals next month.

“We love winning. I always say this to the players. No-one cares who scores. Everyone has a role to play,” said Hayes.

“We have to count on each other. Some will play more than others throughout the season. I trust the squad, I trust the players. We’re in the place we want top be.

“There were some that absolutely needed to recover [on Wednesday] so I’m really happy with the whole squad.”