As a huge Lioness fan, Chloe Kelly will forever hold a special place in all our English hearts. After all, it was Kelly’s goal that secured England the Euros in 2022, closely followed by that iconic celebration.
Fast forward a few years at Manchester City and things were starting become slightly different. This seemed to only increase as time went on, and it was becoming more and more apparent that something just wasn’t clicking between Chloe Kelly and City’s then manager, Gareth Taylor. Frustratingly for Kelly, spending more time on the bench than on the pitch and with the next Euros knocking on the door, it was no surprise that Chloe herself was feeling that frustration ever more.
I remember watching her at the Chelsea vs Manchester City match this Season and you could just tell she wasn’t herself, she wasn’t happy and it’s hard to see someone like that.
In January social media was awash with “would Chloe Kelly make the move?” There were rumours of Brighton, a move across Manchester to join United, but it was the London reds that secured Kelly on loan in January of this year as she returned to her youth academy roots. A last minute loan transfer (anyone else with their fingers constantly on their social media refresh button that night?) before a vocally upset Kelly let the public know her true feelings on the treatment she had received at City and how it had all been effecting her.
Her time at Arsenal over these past few months have shown us all (and Gareth Taylor) what she was more than capable of all along these past couple of seasons. Even as a London blue, I do think red suits Kelly and the impact she has made at Arsenal has been invaluable to the team. She has that ‘Kelly spring’ back in her step, her wing-crosses are a dream and it’s exciting to see her back on the pitch and playing like the Chloe Kelly we all fell in love with at the Euros. Even more exciting knowing she will no doubt be part of Sarina’s squad this Summer, who has always had her back. Even when she wasn’t getting the minutes at Man City and a few questions and eyebrows were being raised. Sarina has always backed Kelly.
But as this WSL season draws to a close and the Arsenal loan comes to an end, Kelly will also (and conveniently) be out of contract. So the big question remains….will she stay or will she go?
Will she stay at the gunners and cement herself as a London red legend (I genuinely think she has the talent to and I just don’t see her going elsewhere now) or will City under Nick Cushing bring her back? Manchester United may also make an offer and there’s talk Brighton may try one last time to tempt her down to the South coast to hook up with Parris and Super Fran.
Personally, I see her staying at Arsenal. And for her, I genuinely hope she does, she seems happy again and that’s what is most important. And I’m saying this as a London blue, but more so as a fan of Women’s football, Kelly feels right at Arsenal. She’s exciting to watch again and she’s already a huge fan favourite (and rightly so!). Her image has also slightly changed…often switching her famous bright and colourful headbands in favour of a lower hair bun….little things that may not seem anything, but is this Chloe starting a new?
However of course, nothing (as far as we know at the time of me writing this post!) is secured…where do you think Chloe will sign? I’m backing the gunners.
