Hayes focus is on winning with new-look Blues squad

EMMA HAYES wants Chelsea to get even better ahead of the start of their Women’s Super League title defence.

Chelsea were due to start their season against West Ham at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

But with the opening-day programme postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Blues will now kick-off at promoted Liverpool today.

“I just want to get better,

I’m not focused on winning,” boss Hayes said.

“I want to make sure training is top class and that the starters I select perform at the levels we demand in this environment.”

Five internationals – Kadeisha Buchanan, Jelena Cankovic, Eve Perisset, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Katerina Svitkova – have arrived since last season when Chelsea completed a league and FA Cup double.

Hayes said: “It’s nice always to see top players coming into our league and every single one of them has settled.

“It’s not a European championship where you’ve got to play maybe six games, those players have got to play 44 games minimally.”

Liverpool won last season’s FA Women’s Championship by an 11-point margin, and former Chelsea boss Matt Beard says his players are excited by the Prenton Park clash with the champions and the campaign ahead.

Beard said: “We feel we are equipped and we can compete in this division.

“Chelsea are a fantastic team. But we will be setting up to try to get something out of the game.

“I’m confident we can give a good account of ourselves.”

Today’s Games: Aston Villa v Man City (12.30), Leicester v Tottenham (3pm), West Ham v Everton (3pm), Liverpool v Chelsea (5pm).