For most of the season, Hayes says she has just been “surviving”, adding: “I’m keeping my head above water while everyone is chasing.”
With Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all wanting a slice of the pie, Chelsea had to find new ways to win this season to fight off competition.
As well as Hayes’ health problems, injuries to key players throughout the campaign have added further strain on the squad.
“Sometimes it’s survival. In order to keep going, you have to survive,” said Hayes.
“[My assistant] Denise Reddy says it’s like snorkelling and you’re swimming past the rocks. Sometimes this job feels like you’re bobbing, your legs are kicking and you just have to keep going.
“It’s just what you do because you know everyone is chasing you and you don’t want to drown.
“The fear of losing drives me more than the will to win.”
Chelsea have done more than just survive this season. But while they celebrated another piece of silverware at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, their defeated opponents Reading were processing relegation from the WSL after eight years.
Reading boss Kelly Chambers, a friend of Hayes, has been at the club for more than 20 years and was in tears at full-time.
“I’m upset for Kelly – she’s heavily pregnant and doesn’t need this stress,” added Hayes, as she reflected on the mixed emotions she was feeling.
“To be in this business for 20 years – I often say this but women don’t get the chances men do and if I was a club in the top division in this country I would be going after Kelly. She doesn’t get the recognition for the work she’s done for that football club.”
Also thrown in the mix was an emotional farewell to instrumental Chelsea duo Magdalena Eriksson – who has captained the Blues to their four consecutive WSL titles – and striker Pernille Harder, with both departing the club this summer.