Emma Hayes makes huge Aggie Beever-Jones claim after Chelsea Women defeat to Liverpool

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, has made a bold statement about young talent Aggie Beever-Jones, claiming her progress is «as good as a trophy».

The Blues suffered a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night, confirming Hayes will leave the club without a single piece of silverware in her final year of a glittering 12-year stint. The defeat arrives just days after Chelsea's exit from the Champions League semi-finals at the hands of current champions Barcelona, and losses to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals and Arsenal in the Continental Cup final.

A fifth consecutive Women's Super League title was the last opportunity for Hayes to depart for the USA with a trophy, but despite Beever-Jones' valiant efforts, Liverpool triumphed thanks to Gemma Bonner's last-minute winner. Beever-Jones, who joined the club at the age of eight, delivered a dazzling performance.

With forward Lauren James sidelined due to injury, along with record signing Mayra Ramirez, the 20-year-old Chelsea academy graduate was called upon to ignite the attack. She seemed to have done just that nine minutes into the game when she netted a crucial equaliser and almost completed a stunning hat-trick, only to be denied by an outstanding save from goalkeeper Teagan Micah.

«It wasn't and that's the frustrating thing,» Beever-Jones said post-match. «We wanted to win tonight and we didn't. But like Emma said, we're Chelsea and we've been in four competitions this year and no other team is doing that.»

When questioned about the team's eagerness to secure a victory for Hayes with her departure looming, Beever-Jones added: «Well, I mean it's Emma Hayes. Emma has been a legend at Chelsea since I was an eight year old in the academy. It's frustrating.»

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