Kirby joined Chelsea in 2015 and has established herself as a key figure under Emma Hayes. Women's Super League titles have been won. FA Cups have been claimed. Conti Cups have been lifted.

Success has also come with England; Kirby helped the Lioness win the 2022 European Championship on home soil. Unfortunately, she was ruled out of this summer's World Cup.

That was because of a knee injury that has affected Kirby throughout her career. It hasn't stopped her from becoming one of the most prominent figures in the women's game but it has created hurdles to overcome.

'Sometimes when I’ve been injured and we’ve won trophies, when you don’t feel part of it, it’s really hard to get that sense of happiness,' she reflects. 'It’s probably the loneliest you can feel.

'It is something everyone handles differently. I have seen in my own career – and in many other players – that they get told they’ll be back in six months and come back two years later.

'You can always give the guidelines but it’s really dangerous for player’s mental health to say ‘you’ll be back on the pitch in six months’. As a player, you hold on to that.'

Kirby is now back playing – and scoring – for club and country. Yet she remains focused on improving the women's game.

The 30-year-old highlights there is still work to be done on changing perceptions on nutrition and diet, and has also undertaken work with Nike to help in the design of boots created specifically for female players.

'It’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time,' Kirby explains. 'I’ve had knee problems my whole career and for me to be a part of that, and to see the effort that is going into it, it makes me really proud.'