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The secret to Chloe Kelly's unbreakable confidence
The secret to Chloe Kelly's unbreakable confidence

The Independent

time6 hours ago

  • Sport
  • The Independent

The secret to Chloe Kelly's unbreakable confidence

England were seconds away from going home. Losing 1-0 to Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-finals, the Lionesses needed a hero. Up stepped Chloe Kelly, raising her arms as she prepared to deliver an inswinging corner from the left. But as the England fans behind the goal prayed for a moment of inspiration, it was immediately clear that something was wrong: Kelly dragged her cross straight out of play. It landed, horribly, into the side-netting. 'Obviously it wasn't the plan,' Kelly grimaced. Neither was it the plan to miss a penalty with the chance to send England through to the Euro 2025 final, but Kelly's response to both the failed corner and saved spot-kick remained the same. 'The reaction is as important as the action,' Kelly explained. 'For me, it was important to not dwell on the moment.' Instead, she followed up her penalty miss by scoring the rebound, telling everyone to 'chill' as they lost their minds. For Kelly, the 119th-minute winner in Geneva is the latest in a long line of iconic moments in an England shirt, to go alongside Wembley, Brisbane and Zurich. When the pressure is at its highest, Kelly has been able to rise above it and deliver, time and time again. 'She thrives in those moments where all eyes are on her and she knows she needs to produce, and she's just got this belief in herself,' said England defender Esme Morgan. 'She has always been like that. Chloe just doesn't care what other people think. She's her own person and she works hard. She knows what she's brilliant at. So when there's a moment to execute what she's brilliant at, she just feels 10 feet tall and ready to take it.' Right now, if you could bottle and sell what Kelly has, you would earn yourself a fortune. 'Chloe's just attitude, sass, confidence,' said Lucy Bronze. As if to illustrate this, when asked after England's win where her confidence and self-belief came from, Kelly simply replied: 'Myself.' No one in world football is taking on the game in the way Kelly is, from her high-stepping penalty run-up to her viral wedding photo shinpads and her grin before taking the penalty to keep England at the Euros during the quarter-finals. Yet it was only a few months ago that the 27-year-old was questioning her love for the sport and future in it. She was, she said, in a 'dark place'. Frozen out at Manchester City, Kelly was at risk of dropping out of Sarina Wiegman 's England squad. Her place at the Euros hinged on the success of her loan to Arsenal but it was on her move back to north London that Kelly's smile returned. Working alongside Renee Slegers at Arsenal, Kelly was told to be herself. She began to play with joy again and finished the season as a Champions League winner. That version of Kelly has shone through in Switzerland. Three years ago, Kelly was only just recovering from an ACL injury when she seized her opportunity to score England's winning goal in the Euro 2022 final. Three years later, Kelly is playing with the same determination to take nothing for granted, but with her self-belief at an all-time high. 'When she's on the pitch, no matter what, she's going to push her shoulders back, big up her chest and she's going to go for it,' Bronze said. At Euro 2025, Kelly's instructions from Wiegman are the same as they were in Euro 2022: to go on and change the game for England. She has now made 11 consecutive appearances as a substitute between both tournaments but her approach has remained consistent. 'Take the opportunity when it comes,' Kelly explained. 'We've got 23 amazing players in the squad and we're all ready.' England's super-sub has made yet another devastating impact off the bench at a major tournament. But above all, missing a penalty only to go again and convert the rebound was a way of encapsulating an entire career, illustrating that the biggest successes often come from bouncing back. 'The moments in January when I felt like giving up football, makes you grateful for these moments here today,' Kelly reflected. 'Confidence comes from within but from around you as well. The players I stand side by side with on the pitch, [we] breed confidence in each other. The people you surround yourself with, my family is really important to me and will breed a lot of confidence within me.' Bronze may have briefly stood over the penalty spot when England were awarded their last-minute penalty against Italy but there was no question who was going to take; no doubt, either, that Kelly would slow herself down, spin the ball on its mark, take a deep breath, and lift up her left leg to begin her run-up. The surprise was the save but the response was never in doubt. The initial celebration amid the chaos, as Kelly pushed her hands towards the ground, told its own story: 'It was more like, 'Chill out, I was going to score! Chill out, it was OK!'' Kelly laughed. Then came the second celebration, one that will go down well in north London, with her arm on the corner flag waiting and admiring the view like Thierry Henry. The message? Don't worry, England, I've got this.

The sass, swagger and dark times behind Chloe Kelly's unbreakable confidence
The sass, swagger and dark times behind Chloe Kelly's unbreakable confidence

The Independent

time9 hours ago

  • Sport
  • The Independent

The sass, swagger and dark times behind Chloe Kelly's unbreakable confidence

England were seconds away from going home. Losing 1-0 to Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-finals, the Lionesses needed a hero. Up stepped Chloe Kelly, raising her arms as she prepared to deliver an inswinging corner from the left. But as the England fans behind the goal prayed for a moment of inspiration, it was immediately clear that something was wrong: Kelly dragged her cross straight out of play. It landed, horribly, into the side-netting. 'Obviously it wasn't the plan,' Kelly grimaced. Neither was it the plan to miss a penalty with the chance to send England through to the Euro 2025 final, but Kelly's response to both the failed corner and saved spot-kick remained the same. 'The reaction is as important as the action,' Kelly explained. 'For me, it was important to not dwell on the moment.' Instead, she followed up her penalty miss by scoring the rebound, telling everyone to 'chill' as they lost their minds. For Kelly, the 119th-minute winner in Geneva is the latest in a long line of iconic moments in England shirt, to go alongside Wembley, Brisbane and Zurich. When the pressure is at its highest, Kelly has been able to rise above it and deliver, time and time again. 'She thrives in those moments where all eyes are on her and she knows she needs to produce, and she's just go this belief in herself,' said England defender Esme Morgan. 'She has always been like that. Chloe just doesn't care what other people think. She's her own person and she works hard. She knows what she's brilliant at. So when there's a moment to execute what she's brilliant at, she just feels 10 feet tall and ready to take it.' Right now, if you could bottle and sell what Kelly has, you would earn yourself a fortune. 'Chloe's just attitude, sass, confidence,' said Lucy Bronze. As if to illustrate this, when asked after England's win where her confidence and self-belief came from, Kelly simply replied: 'Myself'. No one in world football is taking on the game in the way Kelly is, from her high-stepping penalty run-up to her viral wedding photo shinpads and her grin before taking the penalty to keep England at the Euros during the quarter-finals. Yet it was only a few months ago that the 27-year-old was questioning her her love for the sport and future in it. She was, she said, in a 'dark place'. Frozen out at Manchester City, Kelly was at risk of dropping out of Sarina Wiegman 's England squad. Her place at the Euros hinged on the success of her loan move to Arsenal but it was on her move back to north London that Kelly's smile returned. Working alongside Renee Slegers at Arsenal, Kelly was told to be herself. She began to play with joy again and finished the season as a Champions League winner. That version of Kelly has shone through in Switzerland. Three years ago, Kelly was only just recovering from an ACL injury when she seized her opportunity to score England's winning goal in the Euro 2022 final. Three years later, Kelly is playing with the same determination to take nothing for granted, but with her self-belief at an all-time high. 'When she's on the pitch, no matter what, she's going to push her shoulders back, big up her chest and she's going to go for it,' Bronze said. At Euro 2025, Kelly's instructions from Wiegman are the same as they were in Euro 2022: to go on and change the game for England. She has now made 11 consecutive appearances as a substitute between both tournaments but her approach has remained consistent. 'Take the opportunity when it comes,' Kelly explained. 'We've got 23 amazing players in the squad and we're all ready.' England's super-sub has made yet another devastating impact off the bench at a major tournament. But above all, missing a penalty only to go again and convert the rebound was a way of encapsulating an entire career, illustrating that the biggest successes often come from bouncing back. 'The moments in January when I felt like giving up football, makes you grateful for these moments here today,' Kelly reflected. 'Confidence comes from within but from around you as well. The players I stand side by side with on the pitch, [we] breed confidence in each other. The people you surround yourself with, my family is really important to me and will breed a lot of confidence within me.' Bronze may have briefly stood over the penalty spot when England were awarded their last-minute penalty against Italy but there was no question who was going to take; no doubt, either, that Kelly would slow herself down, spin the ball on its mark, take a deep breath, and lift up her left leg to begin her run-up. The surprise was the save but the response was never in doubt. The initial celebration amid the chaos, as Kelly pushed her hands towards the ground, told its own story: 'It was more like, 'Chill out, I was going to score! Chill out, it was OK!'' Kelly laughed. Then came the second celebration, one that will go down well in north London, with her arm on the corner flag waiting and admiring the view like Thierry Henry. The message? Don't worry, England, I've got this.

Euro 2025: England defender Jess Carter not in starting lineup to face Italy in semifinals
Euro 2025: England defender Jess Carter not in starting lineup to face Italy in semifinals

Yahoo

time21 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Euro 2025: England defender Jess Carter not in starting lineup to face Italy in semifinals

A young fan holds a sign for England's Jess Carter while walking to the stadium for the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match between England and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) England's Jess Carter vies for the ball with Sweden's Stina Blackstenius, background, during the Women's Euro 2025 quarterfinals soccer match between Sweden and England at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) England's Jess Carter vies for the ball with Sweden's Stina Blackstenius, background, during the Women's Euro 2025 quarterfinals soccer match between Sweden and England at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) A young fan holds a sign for England's Jess Carter while walking to the stadium for the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match between England and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) England's Jess Carter vies for the ball with Sweden's Stina Blackstenius, background, during the Women's Euro 2025 quarterfinals soccer match between Sweden and England at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) GENEVA (AP) — England defender Jess Carter was not in the starting lineup to face Italy in the semifinals Tuesday at the Women's European Championship. Esme Morgan, who plays for Washington Spirit in the United States, was selected to partner England captain Leah Williamson in the center of defense. Advertisement Carter revealed on Sunday she has been the target of racist abuse online during the tournament, and the English soccer federation reported the abuse to police at home. Carter, who is Black, had started in all four of England's games so far at Euro 2025 and she was praised by coach Sarina Wiegman on the eve of the game for being ready to play. 'The decision is based on the tactical challenges we have, and we think that in this game, it is best to put Esme in,' Wiegman told ITV on Tuesday. "Jess is good. Of course a lot of things going on, but she's good, she trained well, she is ready to compete and ready to play.' ___ AP soccer:

BREAKING NEWS Sarina Wiegman reveals why Jess Carter is left OUT of England semi-final after suffering 'disgusting and vile' racist abuse
BREAKING NEWS Sarina Wiegman reveals why Jess Carter is left OUT of England semi-final after suffering 'disgusting and vile' racist abuse

Daily Mail​

time21 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Daily Mail​

BREAKING NEWS Sarina Wiegman reveals why Jess Carter is left OUT of England semi-final after suffering 'disgusting and vile' racist abuse

England head coach Sarina Wiegman has offered an explanation for leaving defender Jess Carter out of the starting XI for tonight's Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy. Wiegman cited tactical decisions rather than the 'disgusting and vile' racist abuse the player said she has endured during the tournament. In Carter's place, Wiegman has opted to start Esme Morgan at centre-back. The boss said: 'Yes, that decision is based on the tactical challenges we have. We think in this game it is best to put Esme in. 'Jess is good. Of course a lot of things going on but she is good, trained well and is ready to compete and play. 'It is a huge night for everyone, Esme is ready and has been ready for a while, she showed that the other night and I hope she does really well of course.'

England face dark horses Italy
England face dark horses Italy

Express Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • Express Tribune

England face dark horses Italy

Having come back from the brink of elimination against Sweden in the last eight, England will hope to live up to their billing as favourites when they face Italy in the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Tuesday. The holders are tantalisingly close to another major tournament final, with a showdown next Sunday against either Germany or world champions Spain the reward for Sarina Wiegman's team should they get the better of the Azzurre in Geneva. The Lionesses could be forgiven for feeling that their name is on the trophy after the dramatic nature of their victory over Sweden in Zurich on Thursday. England were 2-0 down late on but two goals in the space of three minutes forced extra time before they eventually triumphed 3-2 in a remarkable penalty shoot-out. Now they find themselves in a sixth consecutive semi-final between Women's Euros and World Cups, and it would be a shock if they slipped up against Italy. Ranked 13th in the world, the Italians are surprise semi-finalists while England are where they were expected to be as they look to repeat their triumph at the last Euros on home soil in 2022. "I really had a sense throughout the game, even when we were down, that it wasn't our time to go," defender Esme Morgan told English media this weekend as she reflected on the unlikely comeback against Sweden. "I thought about three times we were out," admitted Wiegman, who remains on course to win a third consecutive Women's Euros having guided her native Netherlands to victory on home soil in 2017 before triumphing with England three years ago. England have been exposed against top-level opposition at this European Championship, having been defeated by France in their opening group game before being torn apart in the first half against Sweden. But the nature of their recovery in the latter match, inspired by substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly, will give them confidence and so can their recent record against Italy. Carter suffers racist abuse England won 5-1 when the nations last met in a friendly in Spain in February last year, and were 2-1 victors a year earlier in the Arnold Clark Cup in Coventry. Italy finished second in their group behind Spain but then got the better of Norway in the quarter-finals with veteran Cristiana Girelli scoring twice including a last-minute winner. Now they are in the semis of a major tournament for the first time since the 1997 Euros. "It's exciting because we are going to face the reigning champions," defender Martina Lenzini told AFP at the Italian team's base near Lucerne. "Getting to the semi-finals for us is a result in itself, a bit unexpected in the eyes of others and by everyone around us, but we believed we could do this. "We are always humble but we were aware that we could get to this stage and have the chance to face a team of this calibre." The holders' preparations for the match were rocked by revelations that defender Jess Carter had been the victim of racist abuse which led to the English FA alerting police. "From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse," Carter, who has 49 caps, wrote on her social media accounts. "Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result I don't agree or think it's OK to target someone's appearance or race." Meanwhile England have been hoping that captain Leah Williamson will be fit in time to feature after being forced off with an ankle injury against Sweden -- her fellow defender Morgan said over the weekend the team were "very optimistic that Leah will be fine".

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