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Chloe Kelly was appointed to the English squad the day after the first appearance for Arsenal in the North London derby.
In Sarina Wiegman’s first 24-player squad for the upcoming games of the Nations League against Portugal and Spain, Kelly was left out. The manager said she needed more playing time, but she has now been brought back together with Lucy Parker from Aston Villa.
The couple replaces Kelly’s new teammates Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy, both of whom have withdrawn with injuries. Due to a slight muscle injury, the latter was not in Arsenal’s squad for the game against Tottenham.
Kelly sealed a dramatic change of loan from Manchester City in Arsenal hours before the transfer window closed in January to secure more season from the European Championship in summer.
Before the move, Kelly had increasingly fought for the season and mostly sat on the city bench, with only one start and six appearances in the women’s Super League. Her relationship with City Manager Gareth Taylor has been broken in the past 12 months.
“In my opinion, she didn’t play enough,” said England Manager Wiegman when she announced her squad for the games against Portugal (February 21) and Spain (February 26). But injuries have now led to Kelly being called back.
The move to Arsenal was not easy and developed into a bitter feud with Kelly, in which she found in a deeply personal statement that her “intellectual well -being” was “dictated” under the city in which she could join.
“I think she was hurt, she was worried about her mental health, that was her statement,” said Wiegman. “I don’t have the full context, but I’m just glad that she had a step she mentioned who was really good for her. Hopefully she can get a smile on her face again and play football and show what you are about. “
Nikita Parris was called back to international folds for the first time since November 2022.
“We always watch a lot of players and I have basically selected other players in the past two years, but she is doing well, she is in good shape,” said Wiegman when she remembers the 30-year-old striker.
“She knows what is needed in international football and I want to see her in our environment and whether she can take this opportunity.”
After Parris left Manchester City in Lyon in 2019, he moved to Arsenal, Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion, but always wanted to return to England.
Lauren James was also mentioned in the squad after not playing for England since April last year. The recent playing time of the Chelsea player was severely affected by injuries and is accompanied by club colleagues Niamh Charles.
Lauren Hanf, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway were excluded from the two games of this month by injuries.
Wiegman spoke about playing Spain and Portugal and said: “These are two big games that begin in 2025. It is exciting that we have the chance to write a new chapter in our history in the coming months, especially with the euro this summer, but we first focus on what is ahead of us and a very important campaign the nations league. “
England Women’s Squad
Goalkeeper: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Anna Moorhouse.
Defender: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Lucy Parker, Millie Turner and Leah Williamson.
Midfielder: Laura Blindkilde Brown, Grace Clinton, Ruby Mace, Jess Park, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh.
Forward: Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Jess Naz, Nikita Parris, Alessia Russo.
