Emma Hayes has explained why Fran Kirby did not start Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Paris FC on Thursday in the Women's Champions League.
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Kirby starts on bench against Paris FCHayes: Decision influenced by upcoming England gamesChelsea have one more game before int'l breakWHAT HAPPENED?
The England star was omitted from the starting XI against the UWCL giant killers at Stamford Bridge, with Hayes opting to field Sjoeke Nusken, Erin Cuthbert and Jessie Fleming in midfield. However, with the scores level at 1-1 heading into half time, the Chelsea boss opted to introduce Kirby for Fleming, with the Blues going on to score three unanswered, second-half goals – two of which were registered by Sam Kerr as she completed a 55-minute hat trick.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT EMMA HAYES SAID
Asked why Kirby did not start, Hayes explained that she had one eye on keeping the attacking midfielder fit for England's upcoming games. "I felt there was a lot of work out of possession that over 90 minutes might have been too much for Fran I said this to Sarina [Wiegman] this morning. It’s so important we keep her healthy for England and Chelsea," she said.
"And while Fran always wants to play in every moment, I felt that was the perfect cameo for her. The team needed it. I thought we didn’t work close enough to Sam [Kerr] in the first half, I thought we struggled to build in a double pivot. I changed that shape after 20 minutes but we were sloppy in the first half."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Kirby was recently named in Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad for vital UEFA Women's Nations League clashes against the Netherlands and Scotland. Following an unexpected away defeat to Belgium in the last international break, England's chances of qualifying for the finals – and thus securing Great Britain's place at next year's Olympic football tournament – are out of their hands.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Kirby has earned 67 England caps during her career so far, during which time she's netted 18 goals. She made her Lionesses debut all the way back in 2014, scoring in a 4-0 friendly win over Sweden.
