Emma Hayes has admitted it "means everything" for her Chelsea side to be contesting the Women's FA Cup Final at a sold-out Wembley Stadium this weekend.
The Blues will go head to head with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, with both teams vying to keep their hopes of a domestic double alive. Just a point separates the sides in the Women's Super League table, however Chelsea have plenty of experience on the Wembley stage, having triumphed in the Final for the last two seasons.
The FA confirmed last week the showpiece fixture had sold out for the first time in the competition's history, with last year's record attendance of 49,094 set to be obliterated. And Hayes believes this is a watershed moment for the women's game.
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“We’ve reached that point where selling out Wembley is no longer just a pipe dream,” she said. “The FA, finally they don’t have to listen to me anymore banging on about how important it is we fill the stadium. Well done to everyone for doing that.
“For me, as a women’s football fan, it means everything. It’s been something I’ve sat here on numerous occasions over the last 10 years championing, intentionally pushing, deliberately probing and prodding because I always knew that day wasn’t far away."
The Chelsea boss also confirmed she has close to a full complement of players available for the clash, with injured duo Fran Kirby and Millie Bright the only confirmed absentees.
“Everybody that knows me knows I don’t just put together a team of 11 players," Hayes said. "It’s about a squad and I think it’s fair to say the entire squad is at their best level. Everybody has been prepared over the course of the season. For that reason, it’s a tricky decision to pick a team.”
Sunday will mark the first time Manchester United have competed in a Women's FA Cup Final, with the Red Devils still searching for the club's first major trophy. Chelsea, meanwhile, have competed in six of the past 10 FA Cup Finals, winning four, although Hayes believes that will have no bearing on this weekend's result.
“First of all, previous success is not indicative of future success," she said. "We’re playing an outstanding team who have led the way in the league this year.
"They’re deserving of being in the cup final. It’s a cup final where, we know from last year, we won but I actually thought Man City played better than us that day.
"Being there in the past maybe gives you the luxury of understanding what it’s like. But it is no advantage whatsoever.”
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