It was an iconic image from the 2022 European Championship: Chloe Kelly taking off her shirt and spinning above her head, with a white sports bra on display. The Manchester City winger had just scored the winner against Germany and her celebration symbolized a moment of transformation for women’s football in England.
That moment also marked an individual transformation off the field. Kelly was on the cover of Grazia UK, presented 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 for England’s triumph over the next six months and experienced a whirlwind of recognition that transcended the sport.
Kelly continued to play a crucial role for City throughout the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Women’s Super League seasons, but since the start of the 2024-25 season her playing time has plummeted. She has played just 169 competitive minutes so far. season.
According to sources with knowledge of the matter, who like all others in this article wish to remain anonymous to protect relationships, there is a rift in the relationship with city manager Gareth Taylor, as first reported by the Daily Mail in October. One source who spoke said the relationship after the euro started to become tense and has slowly deteriorated.
For her, this is not only an issue at club level, but also at international level. If she wants to have a chance of playing for England at this summer’s European Championships in Switzerland, she has to play.
Even England manager Sarina Wiegman, who selected Kelly despite playing just 56 competitive minutes between the October and November international sides, said at a press conference before the match in the United States in November that her situation was a “matter of concern” at the moment .
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 playing time over the next six months is crucial for Kelly to keep her place in England, so where will that come from?
Despite reports last year about the interest of Paris Saint-Germain, there has never been any 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.
However, Taylor said in a pre-match press conference on Friday that there was “no news at all about any 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 has “looked really sharp, fresh, (with) renewed energy and optimism this term”.
For the first time since September, Kelly played 90 minutes against third division club Ipswich Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday. She passed the ball well, got into good positions and assisted 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 the match on Sunday. “She knows she has to contribute and today she did her part. That prepares her very well for the coming competitions.” These comments indicate that Kelly could play more in the near future.
When asked if he wanted the winger to stay at City, Taylor said: “For this period, yes of course. It is very important that the player and the club are on the same page in what they want to do. Sometimes players leave teams. This happens. They want to try something different or new. But we have to focus on now. That’s what we really talked to Chloe about: ‘Come on, we can really influence this now. Let’s not waste time, no matter where the journey ends. Let’s make the most of the time we have together.”
Kelly could leave in January on loan for the remainder of the season, or leave on a permanent deal if City approve a transfer. She could sign that pre-contractual agreement with foreign clubs. She could also stay, hoping Taylor can reintegrate her back into the squad.
However, if a new contract is not negotiated with City, she could leave for free in June. A source close to the situation says the club and the player remain open to dialogue, but the previous breakdown in the relationship means Kelly’s future at City is unknown.
Kelly has started just one of 10 Women’s Super League games, a stark contrast to last season when she started in the starting XI 18 of 22 times in the Taylor’s League. Data shows that the 2023-2024 season saw a very minimal decline in its total production compared to the 2022-2023 season. Her total of 70 take-ons last season was the sixth highest of any WSL player.
Responding to reports in October of a deterioration in their relationship that had stalled contract negotiations, Taylor described the matter as a “non-event” at a press conference that month and confirmed there was no news regarding Kelly’s contract. hard work, (was) committed and on the same page”.
Kelly had started every league match of the 2023/2024 season, but was left on the bench against Brighton on March 17, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute. Taylor subsequently did not start Kelly for the next three consecutive matches, including the Manchester derby, when she did not play at all.
Taylor said she had to “work hard at practice every day to be ready.” However, during their final three games of the season, Kelly played almost every minute as City pushed in vain for the WSL title.
After a summer break during which she got married, Kelly was ready for the preparation and approached it with positivity, according to a source close to the player. But she started one of the three friendlies and did not start against Paris FC in Champions League qualifying, nor in the WSL opening match against Arsenal.
Her first start of the season came in the second leg against Paris FC in September, when City was already 5-0 ahead. Kelly made the most of her opportunity with a goal, an assist and the player of the match award.
When asked if she had done enough to warrant a starting position, Taylor said: “This whole starting position thing, the team is going to change so much. It’s not easy to expect Chloe Kelly to play every game.” Despite her performance, she did not feature in City’s next match against Brighton. So far this campaign, Taylor has opted to sign academy graduates Aoba Fujino, Mary Fowler and Lily Murphy in the summer.
Despite only starting one of City’s first four WSL matches, Wiegman selected Kelly for her October squad because, as she said at the press conference, she had “built up some credit” with the Lionesses, but stressed the importance of playing time for selection.
“When I get the minutes and opportunities it’s about taking them and being confident in my ability,” Kelly said after coming on as a substitute against Germany in October. “Tonight she gave me faith and hopefully I can continue to repay that faith. It’s great to have the support of a great manager like Sarina. My job here is with England. But of course I am a player who wants minutes.”
It was a testing time for the attacker. In October, City goalkeeping coach Diego Restrepo reposted one of Kelly’s photos of the pair on her Instagram Stories with the caption: “Building your confidence amiga (friend).”
The North has been her home since Arsenal loaned her to Everton in 2016, but if Taylor continues to limit Kelly’s minutes it is difficult to see her future at City beyond this season. More importantly, she doesn’t want to miss Euro 2025, especially since she has tasted the sweet success of 2022.
Now that the January window is open, it’s time to hold or pivot.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Manchester City, British women’s football
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