Chloe Kelly insists there is ‘more to come’ from her as England resume Euros title defence preparations
CHLOE KELLY is not thinking “too much” about her club future despite the Arsenal loan star’s contract with Manchester City expiring in June.
Instead her focus is on being in the best place “mentally and physically” with the Gunners and Lionesses vying for major honours.
Since her January return to Arsenal, where she began her pro career at 17, Kelly, 27, has flourished alongside England pals Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson.
High points for the forward include delivering two class assists in a three-goal drubbing of Real Madrid with the team dumped out of the Champions League quarters.
Efforts include her pinpoint cross for a shot drilled home by Gunners striker Russo.
Like Russo, Mead and Williamson, Kelly is in the running to start against Belgium when England play their third Nations League game on Friday 4 April.
This is a far cry from the first half of this term with Kelly making one start in six City WSL games and initially being left out of England’s squad in February.
Two months after her tumultuous exit on loan from City, came a Lionesses recall for the forward who now plays “with a smile”.
The 50-capped Lioness said: “It’s really important as a human being that you get that smile on your face.
“That’s nothing to do with being a footballer, it’s just as a human because that’s important.
“I’m definitely smiling more, I feel really good.
“Right now I’m playing plenty of minutes, enjoying my football and I’m really learning under (Arsenal boss) Renee (Slegers).
“Now I’m here (with England) I have another opportunity to represent my country which is a huge honour.
“There’s definitely more to come from me.
“I’m a player who wants to learn and always wants to get better and I’m probably my own worst critic.
“There are going to be games where I might not be my best, but it’s really important that I take that step to becoming the best version of myself.”
With the July 5th start of England’s bid to retain their European Championship title fast approaching, questions have arisen concerning Kelly’s future beyond her Arsenal loan.
However, the forward, who scored the Lionesses’ tournament-winning goal at Wembley three years ago is not looking too far ahead.
Kelly adds: “I don’t think about it too much. I take each day as it comes and work hard to put myself in the best possible place for the next day.
“That’s really important and I don’t look too far ahead in anything.
“I’m just having fun at the minute, enjoying myself and back down in London with my family spending a lot of time with them.
“I’m really appreciating the little things in life.”
The first of England’s two Nations League duels with Belgium could see Kelly feature alongside Russo and forward Mead this Friday.
The reverse fixture will take place in Leuven on Tuesday April 6
The trio were last in action together on March 30 against Crystal Palace in the WSL, with Mead netting twice and Russo also scoring in the 4-0 Arsenal victory.
Kelly said: “Growing that connection is really important and the connection off the pitch as well as on it.”
“By pushing myself every day I can learn what Alessia is doing and how I can match that to be at my best to help her score and Beth as well.
“She’s a great friend of mine – Beth.
“When you have that competition it allows you to be at your best every day.
“And you can push each other in moments as well so that’s really important.
“There’s so much we can learn from each other.”