Jorja Fox: Chelsea defender finding strength after ACL ‘heartbreak’

Jorja Fox says tearing her cruciate ligament has been ‘heartbreaking’ but the Chelsea defender is determined to come back even stronger from the setback.

The England U23 full-back injured her knee while on loan at Brighton in May, becoming the latest player in women’s football to suffer the injury.

But Fox, who is four months into her post-surgery rehabilitation, insists she is now in the right frame of mind.

“I’m getting there slowly but surely. I’ve had a few setbacks, which is to be expected along the journey, but I’m getting through it,” Fox said. Air sports.

“It was heartbreaking. It’s an injury that you see so often, but you never expect it to happen to you. I was in denial for a while, but eventually it dawned on me and I accepted it.

“I have accepted that it is just a bump in my journey that I have to overcome and hopefully I will overcome it better on the other side.”

ACL injuries in women’s football are becoming increasingly common, with players such as Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Alexia Putellas and, more recently, Caroline Weir all suffering from the problem in recent years.

“Every time someone goes down in the women’s game now, you think, ‘Oh god, is it an ACL?’ because it’s a big problem,” she said, “but a lot of attention is paid to it these days. People forget that there are other injuries that can rule you out for the same period, it’s not just ACLs.

“There is clearly something going on and more research needs to be done, and I think it is being done, which is a positive step.

“It’s part of being a top athlete. You experience so many highs in football, but so many lows that no one sees. It all happens behind the scenes and you learn to overcome them.”

The five months she was away from the field were the longest Fox has ever spent without soccer boots.

However, she used the break wisely and enjoyed time with her other true love, a four-legged friend.

“I have a puppy called Cali who came to me shortly after my injury,” Fox told us as he spent the day visiting Battersea Dogs Home.

Fox and her family have adopted four cats from the shelter over the years, and the 20-year-old admits her relationship with her pets has helped her during her recovery.

“It’s definitely been a tough few months, there’s been a lot of setbacks that have helped her,” she said. “They help take your mind off things and give you an escape when you need it.” She’s definitely my best friend too.”

Besides her love of dogs and cats, Fox’s other soulmate is Chelsea FC, a club she has been a member of since her primary school days.

And having such a formative time with the champions has helped her mentally during the toughest period of her career.

“No one wants to settle for average, you always want to be the best. You see that in every sport you don’t play to play, but to win.”

“I’ve been playing for Chelsea since I was eight, it was instilled in me from a young age. I certainly wasn’t used to losing when I was at the Academy. I love winning trophies and that’s something we’re used to at Chelsea are.” .

“It’s the only club I’ve ever wanted to play for. It’s been a childhood dream to play for them, it will be great to put that shirt on for them again. I can’t wait.”