The career trajectory of England's Euro 2022 hero Chloe Kelly has taken an unexpected downturn at Manchester City, raising concerns about her future with both club and country.
Kelly, whose iconic winning goal against Germany in the Euro 2022 final etched her name in English football history, has found herself increasingly marginalized at the Etihad Campus. The 26-year-old winger, once a pivotal figure in City's attacking lineup, has been relegated to a peripheral role, managing just three starts across all competitions this season.
The emergence of summer signing Aoba Fujino and academy prospect Lily Murphy has further complicated Kelly's situation, with both players seemingly higher in manager Gareth Taylor's pecking order.
England manager Sarina Wiegman has publicly voiced her concerns about Kelly's lack of playing time, particularly with Euro 2024 on the horizon. The situation could potentially jeopardize Kelly's place in the Lionesses' squad for the upcoming tournament.
When questioned about Kelly's future during a recent press conference, City manager Taylor remained diplomatic: "Chloe was with us last week," he stated, referring to the team's winter training camp in Abu Dhabi. "She looked really sharp, fresh, with renewed energy and optimism for this period. But at this moment in time, there's no news on any kind of deals at all, so while that happens, she's our player, she's a part of the team, a part of the squad."
Despite reports suggesting a strained relationship between Taylor and Kelly had impacted contract negotiations, the manager dismissed these claims as "a non-event."
With her contract set to expire this summer and the January transfer window in full swing, Kelly faces a critical period in her career. Her immediate opportunity to prove her worth comes this Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Ipswich Town, where she'll be hoping to kickstart her return to regular first-team action.
The situation poses a significant dilemma for all parties involved: Kelly needs consistent playing time to maintain her international prospects, while Manchester City must balance squad dynamics and their long-term strategic vision.
