Chelsea club captain Magda Eriksson and striker Beth England (above) both received framed shirts for 100 appearances ahead of the crunch win against Manchester United on Sunday… with Eriksson being tipped, in the process, as a future Blues gaffer by the current incumbent!

The presentations underlined the fact that, despite high-profile new arrivals in the squad, the core of Chelsea’s team is stable and consistent – the bedrock on which performances are built.

For Magda, pictured right being snapped with her new wall hanging at the mouth of the players’ tunnel at Kingsmeadow, it’s a souvenir that will mean more in future years.

Because manager Emma Hayes is convinced that her left-sided centre back is not only management material, but is also a prime candidate to take charge of the Chelsea team at some – unspecified – point in the future.

Not only that, but Hayes is actively grooming her for the role, and described her as her ‘mirror’, reflecting the manager’s thoughts and feelings.

“You want your leader to mirror you, and she mirrors me in exactly the ways I want her to. We are side by side, we are together,” declared Hayes, in a strong and passionate endorsement of the 27-year-old Swede, who actually notched up 100 appearances for the Blues in the Champions League win against Benfica.

Hayes added that, along with Millie Bright, she was fortunate to have such leadership and experience in her group of players at Chelsea.

“I have huge respect for Magda; she’ll go on to be a great manager in her career, so I often coach her with that in mind and often share with her how to handle certain situations when she’s in my shoes,” she said, adding: “I’ve no doubt in my mind that Magda Eriksson will be a future Chelsea manager.”

For striker Beth England, pictured top, who is gradually being reintroduced to the first team after the Christmas break,  joining the 100 Club is also important recognition of devoted service and continued commitment… despite the arrival of Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder to fight for the forward roles.

With a question mark now hanging over the future of the Women’s FA Cup, in these Covid-affected days, England will be hoping for selection for the rearranged Conti Cup quarter-final against City up in Manchester on Wednesday evening.