In total, we have an impressive 13 members of Gareth Taylor’s current squad either in their nation’s confirmed or provisional squads for this summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The prestigious competition kicks off when New Zealand lock horns with Norway on July 20 – and excitement is building up to fever pitch already.
Before the first ball of the World Cup gets kicked, we’re looking at the City stars who will be competing to lift the supreme international prize.
Up next, it’s our electric winger Chloe Kelly…
CITY CAREER SO FAR
Competitive debut: 5 September 2020
Appearances: 71
Goals: 24
Assists: 31
Honours
City:
Women’s FA Cup: 2019/20
Continental Cup: 2021/22
International:
UEFA Women’s Championship: 2022
Women’s Finalissima: 2023
Arnold Clark Cup: 2023
PREVIOUS WORLD CUP PERFORMANCES
Despite making her Lionesses bow on 8 November 2018, Kelly unfortunately missed out on a place in Phil Neville’s squad for the 2019 World Cup in France.
However, she is no stranger to a major international tournament as she played a vital role in Sarina Wiegman’s side who lifted the European Championship on home soil last summer.
She appeared in every fixture at the tournament and, although she started the final against Germany among the substitutes, she would grab the winning goal in extra-time in the 2-1 success, sending the home support into raptures.
In total, the winger has claimed 25 caps for her nation.
PLAYER PROFILE
Kelly started her career at Arsenal, making her debut for the Gunners in 2015, before a productive loan spell at Everton from 2016 to 2018 saw her permanently move to the Toffees.
On Merseyside, the winger continued to establish herself as one of the brightest young talents in the game.
An ever-present for City since her summer 2020 arrival, Kelly has matured into one of the finest assets in the Barclays Women’s Super League during her time at the Academy Stadium to date.
She enjoyed a superb maiden season at City during the 2020/21, scoring an impressive 16 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions and helping us win the delayed 2019/20 Women’s FA Cup.
However, an unfortunate ACL injury cut her standout campaign short, but she still claimed the 2020/21 Player of the Season gong – perfectly highlighting the immense term she had in sky blue.
She battled back to become an integral figure for Club and country, scoring on her first start since returning from the 11-month injury lay-off against West Ham United in the 2022 FA Cup semi-finals.
She, of course, scored the winning goal to secure England their first major honour since the 1966 World Cup and continued that sparkling form into last season.
In a year where she bagged six goals and 14 assists, another international triumph would cap off a remarkable 18 months for City’s number nine.
FIXTURES
England v Haiti | Saturday 22 July | 10:30 (UK) | Lang Park, Brisbane
England v Denmark | Friday 28 July | 09:30 (UK) | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
China v England | Tuesday 1 August | 12:00 (UK) | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
