Emma Hayes says Chelsea's decision not to sign any first-team players in January was a "strategic decision".
Unlike their WSL title rivals, Arsenal and Man Utd, Chelsea had a quiet month on the transfer front. The WSL champions did sign highly-rated youngster Maika Hamano but the 18-year-old was loaned to Swedish outfit Hammarby to gain further experience before she competes for a squad place next season.
The Blues did sell Bethany England for a WSL record fee to London rivals Tottenham, but decided against signing a replacement. England will come up against Chelsea on Sunday, when the Blues travel to a Spurs side rejuvenated by January signings and players returning from injury.
But Haye is confident in her current squad and said Chelsea prefer to focus their efforts on the summer market.
"Our decision not to add to the squad this window was because strategically we always prefer to do our business in June," said Hayes. "This is a really difficult period. The (women's) game I guess is becoming more and more interesting to report on in the January window.
"But January is a notoriously difficult window and that was proven the case this time. I much to prefer to focus on the June window to be honest. We are happy with the squad as it stands."
The Blues face Spurs for the second time in only a few weeks after producing a superb display to win 3-1 at Brisbane Road in the Conti Cup last week. But although that night ended up being a comfortable win, Hayes expects a tougher challenge in the league.
"We were happy with that performance," she added. "But Tottenham are always a tough team to play against. We had to work hard to get into a good position and make changes from the bench when we played them (in the Conti Cup)
"They have improved their playing squad in the January window and with players coming back from injury, they will be even tougher to beat.
"I think for us, we have had a brilliant training week. I want to see how we transfer that into the game. We know we've got a game next week then the international break and then there won't be much respite.
"Beth will bring goals to that team. She links the play well, her leadership from the front and experience of being at a team like ours. She'll bring a lot to Tottenham's front line and we know the threats she'll pose our defence."
