Chelsea’s Lauren James, Niamh Charles, Jess Carter and Millie Bright, pictured above, have been selected to be part of England manager Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong squad for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

Bright, who will captain the side, and Carter, played their part in the success of the Lionesses who won the European Championship last year.

Blues striker Fran Kirby, who was also part of that winning team, will miss the tournament Down Under as she recovers from knee surgery.

Also selected from the Chelsea Women’s side who play at Kingsmeadow, Kingston, are Melanie Leupolz and goalie Ann-Katrin Berger who have been named in Germany’s squad.

Off the pitch, the Blues head coach Emma Hayes was named Women’s Super League Manager of the Season for the fourth time on the trot, and a 13ft high mural commissioned by the Football Association and Chelsea FC of Guro Reiten, Hayes’ stand-out player this season, has been painted on a wall in Hayden’s Place off Portobello Road, Notting Hill. It will be there until next Tuesday.

The Norwegian played an instrumental part in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign, scoring nine goals and notching up 11 assists – the most assists of any player.