CHLOE’S COMEBACK SO EMOTIONAL
BY ADAM MILLINGTON ENGLAND’S Lucy Bronze revealed her delight at seeing club-mate Chloe Kelly return to the fold for her country.
Manchester City forward Kelly, 24, spent nearly a year out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury but scored on her international comeback and has now been selected for the Euros. “I’ve been on that journey with Chloe, we spent a lot of time injured together,” said Bronze (right).
“I’ve seen her in her darkest days but to celebrate moments like when the squad was announced… she was the first person that I wanted to congratulate.”
Kelly appeared in a Lionesses’ shirt for the first time since May 2021 in Thursday’s 3-0 victory over Belgium. And the half-time substitute quickly made her impression on the game, netting the opener when her effort deflected in off Belgium defender Charlotte Tison. Kelly had been prolific for her club, netting 10 and assisting 11 in the 2020/21 campaign before her season was cut short. That is form which she will hope to replicate in this summer’s Euros which take place on home soil, the first major international tournament of her career.
“Honestly, I was nearly crying,” Kelly said of her selection for the tournament.
“So many tears in my eyes, so much emotion.”