After scoring winner against Italy, Chloe Kelly recreated Thierry Henry’s iconic ‘keep calm’ corner-flag celebration - AP/Martin Meissner

It is approaching 10pm on January 30 and Chloe Kelly is about to take an almighty risk.

Frozen out by Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor, Kelly had started just one Women’s Super League match and made a total of six appearances in the 2024-25 season. She desperately wanted to leave the club, whether it be on loan or permanently, in search of regular football. But she was running out of time.

City were digging their heels in, reluctant to let her leave to join a rival. So Kelly took matters into her own hands. On the eve of transfer deadline day, she wrote a message on social media in which she said her mental well-being was suffering and that she would no longer tolerate someone’s “negative behaviour” towards her.

The impact was far greater than perhaps Kelly had even imagined. Not only did she receive support from club and international team-mates, Kelly’s status as a Euro 2022 hero meant celebrities like rapper AJ Tracey and radio DJ Greg James waded in.

There was plenty of interest in Kelly, who had only six months remaining on her City contract. Manchester United and Brighton both wanted her on loan with a view to a permanent move. The latter had an offer accepted but United was Kelly’s preferred destination. City were adamant they would not do business with their city rivals or a club competing with them for Champions League football. But they were also aware of the possible PR disaster should a move not materialise.

As the hours ticked by on deadline day, Arsenal threw their hat in the ring with a loan offer that bettered everyone else’s. City reluctantly accepted and, just minutes before the window shut, Kelly rejoined the club at which she had started her career.

When she secured that deadline day move, in a further twist, Kelly went on social media again to accuse City of trying to “assassinate” her character with “false accusations”.

Sliding doors moment

Had the move to Arsenal not gone through, Kelly was ready to take a break from football. She would not have been on the pitch to help England through both their quarter-final with Sweden and their semi-final against Italy. The Lionesses would have been out of this tournament over a week ago.

There could not have been more pressure attached to her penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out with Sweden. She had to score to keep the Lionesses in the tournament – she did so emphatically. She may have missed the extra-time spot-kick against Italy but her quick reaction to score the rebound was testament to her determination.

“The moments in January when I felt like giving up football, makes you so grateful for these moments here today,” Kelly said after the semi-final.

“It makes you enjoy every minute of that. Confidence comes from within but from around you as well. The players I stand side-by-side with on the pitch breed confidence in each other. But I think a lot is self-taught.”

How did Kelly get to the point where she considered quitting the game she loves? Her departure from City had been a long time coming. Her relationship with former manager Taylor had broken down beyond rebuilding. It is understood cracks appeared after Kelly scored the winning goal in Euro 2022.

Kelly’s relationship with Gareth Taylor (pictured) had broken down beyond repair - Getty Images/Matt McNulty

She entered this season in the final year of her contract and with little progress over a new deal. In November, England manager Sarina Wiegman admitted Kelly’s lack of game time was a concern and made it clear to the forward that she needed to play to ensure a place in her squad for the Euros.

Comeback queen

Joining Arsenal was only one part of the comeback. Kelly was not match fit and she was ineligible for Arsenal’s next two fixtures – an FA Cup match and a WSL game against City – so she had to wait three weeks before making her debut.

That meant Kelly’s name was not included when Wiegman named her squad for February’s Nations League fixtures with Portugal and Spain. As it happened, an injury to Beth Mead meant Kelly was recalled a few days later but the message from Wiegman was clear: start playing regularly or risk not making the Euros squad.

When Kelly left City she said she just wanted to be happy again. Under the guidance of Arsenal manager Renee Slegers, Kelly not only rediscovered that happiness but became a European champion. She played a key role in Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final, making a pivotal difference in their 3-2 comeback against Real Madrid. She also started the 1-0 win over Barcelona in the final.

Kelly left Man City and became a Champions League winner with Arsenal - PA/Zed Jameson

Slegers gave Kelly belief again. She told her to be all the things she had struggled to be at City in the last two years. Kelly is something of a throwback as a wide forward. She likes to hog the touchline and put crosses into the box. Her two deliveries against Sweden set up goals for Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang.

She also has unparalleled calmness and composure in big moments. That toe-poke against Germany to score the winner at Euro 2022; the winning penalty in the Finalissma and in the round-of-16 shoot-out with Nigeria at the 2023 World Cup; the penalty against Sweden; the instinctive reaction to tap-in the rebound against Italy. There is always a Kelly moment at a tournament.

She now has two, possibly three iconic celebrations. The one of her shirt above her head after the Euro 2022 final and Tuesday night’s combination of telling the England fans to “chill out” and recreating Thierry Henry’s corner flag celebration.

“It was just ‘Chill out, I was going to score! Chill, it was OK’,” Kelly said of her celebration. “Thierry Henry inspired me with that second one!”

After a turbulent but wonderfully chaotic seven months, Kelly is once again the star of this England team.

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