Hayes: Chelsea in least advantageous position to retain WSL title

Emma Hayes says progression in the Champions League puts Chelsea in "the least advantageous position" to retain the Women's Super League title.

The Blues manager - who will leave the club after 12 years at the end of the season to take up the role as USA Women's head coach - has guided her side to the quarter-finals of the competition.

They face Ajax away in the first leg on March 19, with the return leg at Stamford Bridge eight days later.

In addition, the west Londoners are top of the Women's Super League - having won 11 of their 13 league games to date - as well as having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals and Conti Cup semi-finals, meaning they face a run of eight games in 28 days throughout March.

"I've always said, for many years, the team that's in the latter stages of the Champions League is in the least advantageous position to win the league," Hayes said, speaking in her press conference ahead of the visit of second-placed Manchester City to Kingsmeadow on Friday night.