The Blues welcome the Hammers at Kingsmeadow for a London derby clash in the last four. And with a place in the final at stake, which will be played at Pride Park next month, summer signing Jean-Francois is relishing the opportunity to reach a maiden showpiece in English football.

'Happy, very happy,' Jean-Francois replies when we ask how she feels to be only one game away from a first final as a Chelsea player. 'Our aim is to go to the final, of course. It's a big game, but we've prepared well.

'When you come to a club like Chelsea, it is to play these kinds of games. You want to get to finals and win trophies. I want to make sure we put all that we can into the game so we get to the final and get this first trophy.'

Jean-Francois certainly played her part in helping the Blues reach the semi-final, with the midfielder playing the full match against Durham in the previous round and scoring our second goal of the eventual 5-0 win.

That display, one of her best for Chelsea to date, has motivated her as she hopes to be given the chance to make an impact against the Hammers.

'When you perform well and have those 90 minutes in the tank after a long injury, it feels good,' the midfielder says. 'It was a good game and really good for the confidence. Hopefully, I can get more opportunities.'

The midfielder's goal against Durham was one of the best Jean-Francois might score in her whole career. From the edge of the box, the midfielder hit a stunning strike on the half-volley that soared straight into the top left corner.

She hopes to find herself on the scoresheet again this evening, as the French international added: 'I got one in training on Tuesday, so hopefully! If I have the opportunity I will take it.'

The semi-final clash against West Ham arrives less than three weeks after we played the same opposition in the Women's Super League. On that occasion, the Blues prevailed with an impressive 5-0 win, but Jean-Francois knows a cup encounter offers up a different challenge.

'Of course, it can help that we played them recently, but the game in the cup will be much different,' she says. 'It's another competition, and we have to be aware of that. We have to have all the ingredients right to make sure we win.'