Chloe Kelly: Rediscovering Joy After Overcoming Adversity

The year 2025 has been a rollercoaster of emotions for Chloe Kelly, marked by a dramatic transfer deadline day in January, success with England and Arsenal, and a journey of self-discovery, writes Anton Toloui... Kelly's determination and skill on the field have made her a standout player, but her year began on a low note, questioning her future in the sport after falling out of favor at Manchester City and experiencing a rift with key figures at the club. "It was a difficult period for me," Kelly admits, reflecting on the possibility of stepping away from football at the end of January. "During tough times, you learn a great deal about yourself and others. I discovered my mental strength, and I'm grateful for the position I'm in today. When I step onto the field, it brings a smile to my face, knowing I've rekindled my love for football." Kelly spent the transfer deadline day in January uncertain about her future, considering a break from the sport if a move didn't materialize. Manchester United and Brighton expressed interest, and with just 15 minutes left in the window, a loan deal was agreed with Arsenal. "Let's go!" Kelly recalls, describing her reaction to the last-minute move. "I felt excited and eager to start a new chapter, seeking happiness and a renewed passion for football." Within six months, Kelly transformed from a substitute to a superstar once again. As she found her form with Arsenal, the doubts and frustrations dissipated, and she played a crucial role in the team's late-season surge, including come-from-behind wins over Real Madrid and Lyon, which helped Arsenal reach their first Champions League final in nearly two decades. In the final, Arsenal faced defending champions Barcelona, a team filled with stars, including Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas. "We didn't approach the final with fear," says Kelly. "We respected them, but we focused on what we could bring to the game. We enjoyed the challenge, and then Stina came on and did what she does best." Kelly is referring to Stina Blackstenius, who scored late to give Arsenal a historic 1-0 win in front of a sell-out crowd in Lisbon. "The Champions League final will always be an unforgettable experience for me." Kelly's journey has not been without its challenges, both on and off the field. Her limited game time at Manchester City led to her omission from Sarina Wiegman's first England squad of 2025, but she was later called up as an injury replacement. She seized the opportunity and never looked back. "Playing for your country is not a guarantee. You must demonstrate your abilities, and at the time, I didn't have enough football in my legs. "I wasn't worried. When I'm on the pitch, I'm hopeful I can show the qualities to make the squad. "I had really good conversations with Sarina. The respect I have for her is evident, and I knew that not having the minutes in me wasn't what was best for the squad." That honesty from Wiegman was replicated during the summer when Kelly was informed that her role at the Euros would primarily be from the bench. Some players might struggle to cope with being relegated to an impact sub, but Kelly found clarity in knowing her role. It meant she was going to put everything into ensuring she was physically and mentally prepared for when her country needed her. "Sarina had a good conversation with me about my roles, but I didn't know how many minutes I'd get, so I had to make sure I stayed ready. "It's part of my mindset. Starting isn't a given, coming off the bench isn't a given, so when I do enter the field, I'm going to be ready for the moment." And Kelly was most certainly ready to step up. Her two assists off the bench kept England in the game against Sweden before her penalty in the shoot-out secured the Lionesses' passage to the semi-finals. Kelly was needed again to score the winner late against Italy in the final four before coming on to set up Alessia Russo for the equalizer against Spain in the final. Some might call it fate that Kelly was the player to step up and score England's tournament winner in the following shoot-out, but that would be undermining her efforts. Kelly is arguably the most clutch player in English football history, thanks to her hard work, extensive practice, and ability to deal with adversity. "I enjoy the pressure and the big moment. I'm ready for it, I don't let it get into my mind about how big it is. "Then, after, you enjoy it. I love stepping up in big moments, it just so happens the fifth penalty sits with me." Kelly, however, admits her second Euros success felt different from her first. The celebrations at Wembley in 2022 were made sweeter by Kelly battling back from an ACL injury to make a late push into the squad. In 2025, her time on the biggest stage was almost taken away due to other factors, leading her down a dark road, only to emerge with medals around her neck.