Emma Hayes relishing chance to measure Chelsea’s progress against Wolfsburg in Champions League

Wolfsburg thrashed the Blues 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals in 2018

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes (Getty Images)

Emma Hayes is relishing the prospect of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final against Wolfsburg and seeing what progress the Blues have made since the sides’ last meeting.

That was in the 2017-18 semi-finals, when Wolfsburg won 5-1 on aggregate as they eliminated Chelsea for a third successive season.

The first leg will take place on Wednesday, with both games being played at Szusza Ferenc Stadion in Budapest.

And Chelsea boss Hayes, whose side are ‘home’ first, said: “I’ve got a lot of experience in my team, and I’m looking forward to watching them cope with playing against a team that has won, every time, in the biggest games against us.

“I’m extremely curious to see how far we’ve progressed in the last three years. The way we’re playing, I’m sure we’ve got qualities that will hurt Wolfsburg.”

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A notable difference from the last encounter is that Wolfsburg - runners-up last season, when they appeared in the final for a fifth time - had Denmark star Pernille Harder, who switched to Chelsea last September.

Asked how key Harder could be to success in the tie, Hayes said: “We all know Pernille is a world-class player - that’s also playing in a world-class team.

“I think the realities are the result is not dependent on any one player, it’s dependent on the whole. Pernille is part of that whole.

“If we are to progress beyond this stage, it’s what we do as a collective effort that’s going to make the difference. But of course, she’s a top player.”

PA