Erin Cuthbert insists Chelsea aces will all have ‘moments’ to shine as Blues target Champions League progress
ERIN CUTHBERT says Emma Hayes knows how to bring out “the animal” in her performances on the pitch.
And the Chelsea star, 25, says believes all her Blues team-mates will have a role to play in their quadruple trophy chase.
This evening they take on Ajax in the second leg of their Champions League quarters duel.
The Women’s Super League leaders, who hope to win the contest for the first time, are carrying a 3-0-win advantage from the first leg.
Cuthbert, who rifled home a stunning shot from distance in a 2-0 defeat of West Ham on Sunday, hopes to produce goals against Ajax at Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of the game against the Irons Hayes spoke of the midfielder’s team-mate Sjoeke Nusken being more of a natural goal scorer.
In response to her gaffer’s remarks, Cuthbert said: “Emma knows how to get at me, that’s for sure.
“She knows how to provoke me and find a little bit of an animal inside me and she knows that as well. She knows how to wind me up.
“But Sjoeke has been in brilliant form as well and that’s important to say. We’ve needed her at this time of the season.
“I think everyone’s going to have their moments. Sunday was mine and Aggie’s (Beever-Jones’) moment.”
“The week before it was Sjoeke and we need everyone to contribute over this period especially when we’ve got so many games.”
Following their loss to Chelsea last Tuesday Ajax have maintained their winning form in the Netherlands’ women’s top-flight.
The Amsterdam side are currently second in the Eredevisie and four points behind FC Twente after a run of 14 wins and three draws in 18 games.
Suzanne Bakker’s players come into tonight’s match off the back of a 3-2 defeat of Zwolle in their league, with Romee Leuchter netting a hat-trick.
Prior to their quarter-final tie with the Blues Ajax captain Sherida Spitse, 33, spoke of the need for Ajax to playing without fear of making mistakes.
The Netherlands midfielder, who has made 73 top tier appearances for her club said: “I say to the team every time in training, and before games, you are here because you are good.
“Of course, sometimes things are going wrong in the game.
“You can make mistakes, but you need to ask for ball again, if you don’t do that, then you get scared.”
Emma Hayes expects Chelsea’s opponents will be aggressive on the pitch with the Dutch club facing a last eight exit.
Should the Blues triumph this evening it will be their sixteenth win out of 17 games across all competitions dating back to December 17.
It would also see them pick up their third victory across all contests in eight days.
While Chelsea are due to battle Arsenal for the final of this year’s Conti Cup this Sunday, Hayes’ players are fully focused on tonight’s match.
The Blues boss said: “We only play one game at a time. I’m not thinking about Sunday.
“We know Ajax are going to come out to and be aggressive, we’re expecting and that they have to.
“This is a competition where only one team advances, so we’re prepared for the aggression from the opponent and their learnings.
“They’re a good side and it’s important for us to keep all of our focus and attention on this.”
Chelsea vs Ajax can be watched live on DAZN’s women’s football channel on YouTube from 8:00pm this evening.