Chloe Kelly didn’t hold back as she blasted Manchester City for allegedly attempting to tarnish her character just hours after securing a deadline-day loan move to Arsenal.
The England international, who has spent several successful seasons at City, accused the club of briefing journalists to spread negative stories about her, just as her move across town to the Gunners was finalized.
A Surprise Transfer to Arsenal
Kelly, whose contract at Manchester City was set to expire in June, had initially been rumored to be on her way to Manchester United.
But as the transfer deadline loomed, it was Arsenal who made their move, securing Kelly’s signature just before the window closed.
Despite Kelly’s preference to remain in Manchester, the north London side agreed to meet City’s valuation, with only two clubs—Arsenal and Brighton—making bids that matched the price.
In a heartfelt social media post, Kelly revealed her frustrations over how the situation was being handled behind the scenes.
Accusations of Character Assassination
In her post, Kelly expressed her disappointment in discovering that people at Manchester City had been briefing the media against her, claiming they had worked to “assassinate my character” and spread false accusations. She went on to say:
“Women should look after each other, and build each other up… not shoot them down to protect their employers.”
Kelly’s statement also alluded to her previous frustrations, where she had mentioned how the club’s handling of her contract situation had been affecting her mental well-being.
She hinted at some internal conflict, saying she would no longer tolerate “negative behaviour,” though she didn’t name anyone specifically.
Kelly’s Struggles at Manchester City
Kelly’s move to Arsenal comes after a frustrating period at Manchester City, where she struggled to secure consistent game time.
Having started just once in six league appearances this season, the winger had made it clear that she needed a fresh start if she was to make it into Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for this summer’s Euros.
Kelly, who famously scored the match-winning goal in the 2022 Euros final against Germany, had her lack of game time flagged as a concern by Wiegman.
Arsenal’s Ambitious Push for Champions League Spot
With Kelly’s arrival, Arsenal are hoping to bolster their squad as they sit in fourth place in the Women’s Super League (WSL), just one point behind Manchester City.
Her presence is expected to provide a boost as the Gunners continue their push for a top-three finish and a spot in next season’s Champions League.
A Return to Familiar Grounds
This move also marks a return to familiar territory for Kelly.
She first joined Arsenal’s youth academy at the age of 12 in 2010 and made 19 appearances for the senior team before moving to Everton in 2018.
After a successful stint at Everton, Kelly made the move to Manchester City in 2020, where she won multiple trophies, including the FA Cup and League Cup.
Now, Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers is excited to have Kelly back in the fold.
“Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad,” Slegers said, praising Kelly’s direct style of play and explosive talent.
Arsenal’s Director of Women’s Football also expressed their excitement, stating, “We’re thrilled to welcome Chloe back to Arsenal.
As an academy graduate, we’ve been proud to see the career she’s gone on to enjoy, both at club and international level.”
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter
With Kelly now donning the red and white of Arsenal once again, the team is hoping her experience and skill will help them achieve their goals this season.
As the transfer window closes and the team enters the second half of the season, all eyes will be on how Kelly performs and whether her fresh start at Arsenal can help propel the team to new heights.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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