Everything is still quite new with Sonia, the staff and the group, but we’ve come to America and it has been a joy both on and off the field.

Away from working hard in training and in our first match against Gotham, we’ve had a lot of down time to connect as a team. There has been a lot of table tennis, darts and just embracing the moments of joy and laughter together.

It’s key to be able to form those bonds. There are still a lot of players here from last season, but every year the group does change. It’s so important we keep getting to know each other and this trip has definitely brought us closer already.

It’s been really cool to learn about all of the different cultures and people coming to the club from different walks of life. And we’re all here together now for one common goal: to be successful with Chelsea.

Those connections we have been building off the pitch will reflect on the field because it’s all about building that trust as people.

We saw it in the first game: our 3-1 win over Gotham. There were a lot of good spells where you could see the confidence we have in each other and we want to keep building on that.

I felt good coming on in the second half. I think I came on and brought a lot of energy like the other substitutes did, too.

When you come into the game, it is not always easy to match the intensity or add to it, but I think we all did that. I was really focused, felt sharp and wanted to keep my composure to pick my moments when to have an impact and to go forward.

It feels great to be back in North America. Being from Canada, it does feel like my worlds have collided. I do feel at home here.

To play in front of the Chelsea fans on Monday night in New Jersey in Gotham felt amazing. It was a really beautiful atmosphere.

It was our first game under Sonia, and she is someone I played against for many years back in France. To be able to work with her at Chelsea has been great.

She has proven it over the years already, but it is clear she is a true winner. Sonia is so passionate and has a clear idea of how she wants us to play. I think you could see the start of that come to fruition against Gotham.

It’s exciting because we want to be a team who keeps the ball and has possession. We have a lot of creative players, so I think we will be fun to watch and very dynamic. At the same time, we will be very hard working and difficult to break down as a unit.

The rest of the trip we will keep working hard to keep putting all of that into action.

We have a good amount of time to prepare for the Arsenal game on Sunday and it should be an exciting one. I learnt here in my first season that there is always something extra special playing for Chelsea in a London derby.