The Blues face FC Twente in our second Champions League group stage fixture, with both sides coming into the contest off the back of victories in matchday one.

A squad of 22 Chelsea players travelled to the Netherlands this morning, and Macario was not among them. Bompastor explained why.

‘With Catarina, we are building some minutes and building on her fitness,’ she said.

‘It’s part of the plan and her own process. We work a lot individually with every player and try to give them what they need to be fit and back to their best version.

'We just felt it was a good decision to have her stay in London and work individually with some staff. She will be ready for the game on Sunday.’

Kerr is a longer-term absentee, having sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January. While there is no return date set for the Australian striker, Bompastor was pleased to report Kerr is in fine spirits as she works her way back to fitness.

‘Sam is doing well,’ said Bompastor when asked for an update.

‘Mentally she is in a good place. We see her every day, even if she’s not involved in training sessions. She brings some positive things to the team being around even if she’s not training collectively. She brings so much to the squad.

‘During the international break we have a meeting with the staff to make her whole plan, and seeing when she will be able to start practising individually with the technical staff. This will be a new step for her.’

Bompastor is targeting another improved performance from her side when we meet FC Twente. We have enjoyed a flawless start to the campaign under our new head coach, but she reiterated her demands for a consistent showing in the quest for three more precious European points.

Lauren James is one of many of Bompastor’s players who can make a telling difference in big games such as tomorrow’s. The head coach sees no value in pigeonholing James into a set role. Instead, she detailed why the attacker can threaten in so many ways.

Bompastor said: ‘LJ can play in different positions. With the ball she has so much talent. She is able to play in the central corridor or in a wide position. She can also play as a false forward, so she has all the ability to play in different positions.

‘In my game model I can use her in different positions. I don’t have only one position I think she can fit best. LJ is a player who needs to touch the ball. Sometimes she needs to drop a little bit and touch the ball to make sure she is confident in the game. This is something we are learning from each other, and making sure she goes in a position where she can have the most impact for the team.

‘She is unbelievable when she is able to make an impact higher in the pitch, scoring, assisting, crossing as in the last game against Arsenal. This is what we want from her.’

Bompastor will be hoping to see more of the same tomorrow evening. Kick-off is at 8pm UK time with our web and app providing live match updates, and DAZN broadcasting in the UK.