CHELSEA boss Sonia Bompastor refused to address the futures of high-profile pair Millie Bright and Sam Kerr ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

Blues captain Bright and Australia striker Kerr are rumoured to be moving on when their contracts expire this summer, which would lower the curtain on their respective 12- and six-year tenures.

Chelsea sit third in the Women’s Super League in what has become a transitional season for the Blues, who look unlikely to make it a seventh straight domestic title and will need to knock out holders Arsenal to reach the Champions League final four.

“I think the main thing for fans to know is Chelsea will still be really ambitious [next season],” said Bompastor, when asked about their sizeable out-of-contract cohort.

“Obviously we are in lots of conversations with the players, but I think [that conversation] is more private.

“I think it’s really important for us to focus on the game tomorrow. [Kerr and Bright] for now are under contract with Chelsea. What will happen in the future is not for me to comment now.”

Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert had a defiant message for anyone who would underestimate her side’s chances.

“I play for Scotland, so I’m part of the underdog mentality quite a lot,” she said. “I enjoy that.

“When everybody writes you off, you’ve got to step up and be counted.”

Arsenal remain the only English team to lift the Women’s Champions League trophy after beating Barcelona in last year’s final to add to their 2007 triumph.

Striker Alessia Russo said: “We feel grateful that Arsenal have that history but it’s now a new season, times change, and all our focus is on doing it again.

“We loved that experience of winning the trophy in Lisbon, and I think every player will want to experience that all over again.”

Wolfsburg host Lyon in this evening’s early kick-off.