The first half of the campaign was undoubtedly a positive one for the Blues. We ended 2023 top of the Women's Super League having taken 25 points from 30 available. That has given us a three-point buffer to Man City, who sit second.

In the UEFA Women’s Champions League, we lead Group D by a single point after claiming two victories and registering two draws from our four matches. Our remaining two fixtures in the group, against Real Madrid and Paris FC, are on the bill this month.

Purchase your tickets for Chelsea vs Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge

As we enter the New Year, our commitments grow with our FA Cup and League Cup campaigns getting underway alongside our WSL and Champions League exploits. That will undoubtedly push Hayes's squad, but it is a challenge that has been prepared for.

‘Absolutely, the squad is going to be needed,’ Hayes explains. ‘We have to keep everyone healthy so we can start the New Year in a good place, but this is a dressing room that is built to compete.

‘We love every half of the season – and we certainly know what to do in the second half. We have had a good break, will come back fresh, and be ready to go. There are multiple competitions to win.’

January also enables clubs to enter the transfer market. However, Hayes is keen to highlight two existing Chelsea players who are set for bigger things during the second half of the campaign.

The first is Catarina Macario, who has been working her way back to full fitness after joining the Blues in the summer from Lyon. The second is Maika Hamano, who made her eagerly-awaited Chelsea debut in our 3-0 WSL victory over Bristol City in December.

‘Cat and Maika are going to feel like new signings for us,' says Hayes. 'That’s why we built the squad like this. We knew there would be more games coming in the second half of the season.

‘We have prepared well, but I’m not saying we won’t go into the transfer market in January with Aniek (Nouwen) being out. It might be something we look at.’

Following our trip to Morocco, the Blues return to action against West Ham United in the FA Cup. Four more matches follow before the end of January, including a high-profile WSL fixture against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Hayes is relishing the resumption of the campaign and wants to see standards raised as the campaign progresses.

‘How can you not be excited by this team? They are a great bunch of people and they’re always pushing to get better,' says the Chelsea manager.

‘I’m enjoying the way we’re playing, I'm enjoying their company, and how they continue to set new standards for themselves. I look forward to building on that in the second half of the season.’

After almost 12 trophy-laden years with Chelsea, Hayes is preparing for her final months in charge of the Women's side.

A role model and a pioneer for football in this country, our manager has a message for the next generation of aspiring female coaches. She will leave a legacy for those dreaming of emulating her success.

‘Shoot for the moon in anything you do,' she says. 'Don’t let anybody get in the way of that. You’ll have more allies and role models than ever to reference and say, ‘If they can do it, then I can do it.'

‘Have the courage and belief to do difficult things. Of course, you need hard work, you need the right break, and a bit of luck. But if you want something enough in life go after it, go get it!’