Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has lauded the return of long-term absentee Maren Mjelde, who came on as a substitute as the Blues routed Servette 7-0 in Geneva on Tuesday night.

Defender Mjelde had not played since suffering a serious knee injury during the Conti Cup final against Bristol City back in March.

Eight months later, Hayes brought the 32-year-old off the bench as a second-half substitute in the Women’s Champions League Group A clash against the Swiss champions, and was thrilled to see the Norwegian back in action.

„This is a special person in our environment,“ Hayes told Chelsea’s official website. „The work she has done and the work the medical team and my technical team have done with her…it was emotional for her.

„She is a Rolls Royce of a footballer. When she came on there was composure and I said to Jess Carter to watch her, look at her decision-making in possession and out of possession. She is a superb football player and we’re delighted she is back.“

The Blues‘ boss continued: „She is a quiet leader and has been the mother hen of this group for several years. The ability to read things you can’t teach.

„She has been involved in this team in several positions and has an innate ability tactically and an awareness to drop off in the right situations but also in possession she will give the team a lot. Maren is one of the most under-rated players in the world.“

Chelsea were already seven goals to the good when Mjelde was introduced. Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby got two goals and two assists each, while Melanie Leupolz, Guro Reiten and Jessie Fleming also got on the scoresheet in the resounding win.

The result leaves Chelsea two points clear at the top of Group A after Juventus and Wolfsburg drew in Turin.