Millie Bright insists former boss Emma Hayes will turn out to be ‘the enemy’ when England tackle the USA – as she admits it has been a ‘seamless’ transition since ex-Chelsea supervisor’s exit

When Emma Hayes made her highly publicised departure from Chelsea for the United States this summer, there was one player who felt her absence more acutely than most.

Millie Bright, the towering centre-back and Chelsea captain, had forged a deeply personal and professional bond with Hayes since joining the club in the early stages of her tenure in 2014. Bright has described Hayes as her ‘life coach, mentor, manager and someone who looks out for her’, and together they shared a decade of unparalleled success, lifting 15 trophies.

Away from Chelsea, Bright also became a key figure for England, captaining the Lionesses to their first-ever World Cup final and playing a pivotal role in their historic Euros triumph the year before.

This weekend, though, Bright and the England squad will face off against Hayes’ new team, the USWNT, for the first time. And with next summer’s Euros fast approaching, it’s a challenge the 31-year-old is eager to embrace.

‘I’m looking forward to the test and the challenge,’ Bright tells Mail Sport. ‘It’s a great team to play in and in this moment – before a massive tournament – you need to be tested in all areas.

‘You want to go into that tournament knowing you’ve had exposure to every type of team and every type of threat and I think the friendlies that we’ve got lined up [against USA and Switzerland next Tuesday] are going to put us in good stead for the tournament.’

Millie Bright (right) has insisted there will be love lost when England take on the USA

Bright will come up against former Chelsea boss and now USNWT boss Emma Hayes 

Bright spoke after helping Goals and their newly announced Goals Girls Hour initiative

When Hayes, 48, took charge of the USWNT this summer, they were in a period of transition. The four-time World Cup winners had suffered an early exit from the 2023 tournament in the round of 16 for the first time, while several key players were nearing the end of their international careers. Hayes made the bold decision to drop some veteran stars, including Alex Morgan, and her focus on youth quickly paid off. Within 84 days of leaving Chelsea after winning her final WSL title, she led the USWNT to Olympic glory.

While the USA side visiting Wembley this weekend are without three of their most potent attackers in Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson due to injury, Hayes is notorious for getting the best out of every squad.

Bright says: ‘It’s going to be nice to see Em again. She knows it but she becomes the enemy as soon as that game comes alive. She knows the score anyway. She knows me inside and out. I’m looking forward to it.’

Meanwhile at Chelsea where stability and winning was the order of the day under Hayes, their start to life under Sonia Bompastor couldn’t have gone better. The team have started the season in blistering form, sitting five points clear at the top of the WSL. With a perfect 12-match winning streak across all competitions, Bompastor has quickly made her mark. Bright, meanwhile, is continuing to thrive as the beating heart of the new French boss’ back line.

Bright says: ‘It was kind of a different situation. When Emma left we were in a really good place. Normally managers leave when things aren’t going so well. So credit to Sonia and Camille [Abily, Bompastor’s assistant] for coming in and being able to put their stamp on the group immediately. For us to kick on where we left off – with a little bit of something new – is incredible. Everyone’s just thriving in the environment.

‘Our goals remain the same. We want to win. We want to be the best team in Europe and in every competition. But most importantly to see how happy the girls are and how much we’re willing to do absolutely anything for each other to keep developing first and foremost. But also to win – that’s the ultimate goal.

‘I think with change it always comes as a challenge, but when you’ve got every single player and staff member that’s got the same mentality and the right attitude and the openness to change, then I think it can only go in one direction.’

And how have things gone personally for Bright, considering how close her and Hayes were?

Hayes left Chelsea in the summer to join USA after a 12 glorious trophy-laden years as manager

Bright insisted that Chelsea have found it to be a ‘seamless’ transition since Hayes’ exit

‘To be honest, it’s been seamless. It’s been the easiest group to mould together, both staff and players. I’ve got a really good relationship with the new coaching staff, Sonia and Camille – they’re incredible people and brilliant manager and coaches.

‘I feel already I’ve developed in so many different ways. They just give you that confidence and that drive to go on and be better – no matter how long you’ve been there or how old you are. I think it’s that ability to take your game to the next level and they’re doing that for the group.’

And winning the Champions League – one of the central reasons why Bompastor was brought in from Lyon after her success in the competition there – is the priority.

‘It’s the biggest aim. It’s an aim that I’ve had every single year since I’ve been at the club, 10 years running. There’s been many ups, many downs. We’ve come very close. We’ve also had big losses but it’s the aim.

‘Sonia put that statement out immediately when she came in and it’s definitely not something we shy away from. We openly admit we want to go all the way.’

 Hayes, pictured with Bright, won the Women’s Super League with Chelsea back in May

Bright was speaking to Mail Sport ahead of Panini and the WPLL’s launch of the 2024-25 Barclays Womens Super League Official Sticker Collection, which will be hitting the shelves on November 28.

She said: ‘When the first book came out it’s about – I always joke – it’s not just about the kids collecting the stickers but myself, my teammates. Bringing that chemistry within the group and having a little competition.

‘But most importantly for the next generation – for young boys and girls out there collecting the stickers and trying to fill out your book the quickest. And for me, it just gives visibility to all players and to all the teams.

‘Rightly so, you always get the star players getting the limelight and always in the media while some players go under the radar – but they’re doing fantastic jobs and are still huge parts of teams. So for me, visibility is the biggest thing.’