Was iconic image of Euro 2022: Chloe Kelly takes off her shirt and pulls it over her head, a white sports bra on display. The Manchester City winger had just scored the winning goal against Germany and her celebration symbolized a moment of transformation for women’s football in England.
That moment also meant an individual transformation off the field of play. Kelly has been on the cover of Grazia UK, featured at the 2023 Brit Awards, modeled with Calvin Klein, appeared on British TV shows The Jonathan Ross Show and Loose Women, and was named Time Out London’s Londoner of 2022. She became the poster girl. of England’s triumph over the next six months and experienced a whirlwind of recognition that transcended sport.
Kelly continued to play a crucial role for City during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Women’s Super League seasons, but since the start of the 2024-2025 campaign, her playing time has plummeted – she has only played 169 minutes so far. of league. season.
According to sources familiar with the matter, who, like all those featured in this article, wish to remain anonymous to protect relations, there has been a breakdown in the relationship with City manager Gareth Taylor, as first reported by the daily mail in October. A source he spoke to said the relationship started to become strained after the euros and has slowly deteriorated.
For her this is not only a problem at club level, but also at international level. If he is to have any chance of playing for England at this summer’s Euros in Switzerland, he needs to play.
Even England coach Sarina Wiegman, who selected Kelly even though he only played 56 league minutes between the October and November international camps, he said at a press conference before the United States game in November that his situation was a “concern at this time.”
The 26-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season, meaning she can now sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs. Securing game time over the next six months is crucial for Kelly to maintain his place in England, so where will he come from?
Despite reports last year of interest from Paris Saint-Germain, there has never been contact between the French team and City. However, a player of Kelly’s caliber who is in the final six months of his contract would be an attractive prospect for many clubs, including PSG.
Taylor, however, said in a pregame news conference Friday that there was “no news on any type of deal” and that Kelly is “our player” and “part of the team.” Kelly attended City’s winter training camp in Abu Dhabi last week and Taylor said she “looked really smart, fresh, (with) renewed energy and optimism for this period.”
For the first time since September, Kelly played 90 minutes on Sunday against third division side Ipswich Town in the FA Cup fourth round. She passed the ball well, got into good positions and set up Vivianne Miedema in City’s 3-0 win, but looked rusty at times and could have been more aggressive with her carries.
“Chloe has a good history here at the club,” Taylor said after Sunday’s game. “She knows she has to contribute and today she contributed. “That prepares her very well for the upcoming games.” Those comments hint that Kelly could appear more in the near future.
Asked if he wanted the winger to stay at City, Taylor said: “During this period, yes, of course. It is very important that player and club are aligned in what they want to do. Sometimes players leave teams. This happens. They want to continue and try something different or new. But we have to focus on the now. That’s what we’ve really talked about with Chloe: ‘Come on, we can really impact this now.’ Let’s not waste time no matter where the trip ends. Let’s make the most of the time we have together.’”
Kelly could leave in January on loan for the rest of the season, or leave on a permanent deal, if City approve a move. He could sign that pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs. She could also stay, in the hope that Taylor will reinstate her into the starting lineup.
However, if a new contract is not negotiated with City, he will be able to leave for free in June. A source close to the situation claims that the club and the player remain open to dialogue, but with the previous breakdown of the relationship, Kelly’s future at City is unknown.
Kelly has started just one of 10 Women’s Super League matches, a stark contrast to last season when she entered Taylor’s League starting XI on 18 of 22 occasions. The data shows that there was a minimal drop in his overall production from the 2023-24 season compared to the 2022-23 season. Her total of 70 takes last season was the sixth-highest of any WSL player.
Responding to reports in October that a deterioration in their relationship had stalled contract negotiations, Taylor described the matter as a “non-event” during a press conference that month, confirmed there was no news on Kelly’s contract and said that he had been “working hard, (was) committed and aligned.”
Kelly had started every league match of the 2023–24 campaign, but was left on the bench against Brighton on 17 March and came on as a 78th-minute substitute. Taylor then did not start Kelly for the next three games consecutive, including the Manchester derby, when he did not participate at all.
Taylor said she had to “work hard every day in training to be ready.” However, during the final three games of the season, Kelly played almost every minute, as City unsuccessfully battled for the WSL title.
After a summer vacation during which he got married, Kelly was looking forward to the preseason and approached it with positivity, according to a source close to the player. But he started in one of every three friendlies and did not start against Paris FC in champions league qualification nor the opening match of the WSL against Arsenal.
His first start this season came in the second leg against Paris FC in September, when City were already leading 5-0 on aggregate. Kelly capitalized on her opportunity with a goal, an assist and the player of the match award.
When asked if he had done enough to warrant a starting position, Taylor said: “This whole starting position thing, the team is going to change a lot. “Expecting Chloe Kelly to play every game is not easy.” Despite his performance, he did not take part in City’s next match against Brighton. So far this campaign, Taylor has opted to sign Aoba Fujino, Mary Fowler and academy graduate Lily Murphy in the summer.
Despite only starting one of City’s first four WSL matches, Wiegman selected Kelly for his October squad because, as he said during the press conference, he “gained some credit” with the Lionesses, but He emphasized the importance of playing time for the national team.
“When I get minutes and opportunities, I have to take advantage of them and have confidence in my ability,” Kelly said after his substitute appearance against Germany in October. “Tonight, she believed in me and I hope I can continue to give her back that belief. Having the support of a great coach like Sarina is incredible. My job is here with England. But of course, I am a player who wants minutes.”
It has been a testing time for the striker. In October, City goalkeeping coach Diego Restrepo reposted one of Kelly’s photos of the couple on his Instagram stories with the caption: “Building your confidence friend (friend).”
The north has been her home since Arsenal loaned her to Everton in 2016 but, if Taylor continues to restrict Kelly’s minutes, it is difficult to see her future at City beyond this season. More urgently, you won’t want to miss Euro 2025, especially since you tasted the sweet success of 2022.
With the January window open, it’s time to stay or go.
This article originally appeared on The Athletic.
Manchester City, UK women’s football
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