“Just consistency and being dangerous in the final third…that is going to be huge,” Trinity Rodman recently said, issuing a mere warning about what to expect from her this year. Call it one of her agendas from her manifestation board, as a mixed end to the 2024 season would naturally push her to set such milestones. However, the sudden shift in Rodman’s approach may come as a surprise to many. Either way, if you think this is a good sign for her overall development, save your thanks for Emma Hayes.

Apparently, it’s the English tactician whom the youngster credits for helping in building her career. Having kicked off her international journey under Vlatko Andonovski, Trinity Rodman enjoyed her achievement of making the 2023 FIFA World Cup roster. However, failure to win the trophy kept her dream of winning something for her nation hanging until the 2024 Paris Olympics. Not only did she make the roster, but she also played a crucial role in leading her side to their record-fifth gold medal.

But it also marked the last time in 2024 that she played under Hayes. A relapse of a back injury apparently saw her miss out on the next three windows including the SheBelieves Cup. It’s finally on the occasion of the April camp that Rodman is reuniting with Hayes. So you can imagine how pumped she would be to play the doubleheader against Brazil. “Yeah, I’m excited every time I get to be under Emma,” began Rodman during her short interview appearance with ESPN’s SportsCenter.

“She has a great personality; she’s been super understanding and supportive throughout this process. I don’t know I feel like every time I’m coached by her, I learn more and more and she helps me develop and she’s always coaching me on little things that I need to tweak. I love the way that she’s very open and honest about it and it helps me grow a lot very quickly,” emphasized the Newport Beach, California native.

Given how much Rodman missed out on in her absence from the national team, we can expect her to have a lot to catch up on with Hayes. Likewise for the former Chelsea boss, who in the meantime keeps experimenting with new variations in the attack. But wait, don’t expect that Rodman’s re-entry into the team would be one seamless job!

Emma Hayes remains ‘cautious’ over the return of Trinity Rodman

One should be mindful that it has been quite a long time since Emma Hayes collaborated with Trinity Rodman on the pitch. So it is only natural for the 48-year-old to remain concerned over how she slowly settles into her new role with newer teammates. “To get (Trinity Rodman) back is really exciting. I do have to urge a bit of caution… it can go from a managed return to play, to too much. So I have to try and a sweet spot in camp to integrate her back into the team,” said Hayes while discussing her latest roster pick.

Truth be told, this concern also arises from the challenge of providing Rodman with a familiar attacking setup. For context, the 22-year-old is the only member of the self-proclaimed trio, Triple Espresso, who is available. Her usual attacking partners, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, are missing the action—Swanson due to personal reasons and Smith, who recently announced her pregnancy, sidelined for now.

As a result, Rodman will need to build new attacking connections with the forwards available for the April window. This includes her Washington Spirit teammate Ashley Hatch, KC Current’s Michelle Cooper, and Chelsea’s Catarina Macario. Other options include Houston Dash’s Yazmeen Ryan, Utah Royals’ Ally Sentnor, and Angel City FC’s Alyssa Thompson.

It will be interesting to see how Emma Hayes utilizes her attacking options while factoring in Rodman’s role. Otherwise, the 22-year-old could struggle to find the back of the net. Then again, given how confidently Rodman is looking forward to playing under Hayes, is indeed quite reassuring!