- Chloe Kelly could leave Man City after falling out with manager Gareth Taylor
- Kelly’s current contract with WSL expires at the end of the season
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Manchester City are at risk of losing England star Chloe Kelly after a breakdown in the relationship between the forward and manager Gareth Taylor, which has led to a standoff over contract talks.
Kelly, who scored the Lionesses’ winning goal in the Euro 2022 final, will see her current contract expire at the end of the season. It is clear that the attacker is keen to stay at the club, but the two sides are not close to agreeing an extension.
Mail Sport understands that Taylor and Kelly’s relationship has broken down over the past 12 months.
The forward has been an unused substitute three times this season – including in the last two games against Liverpool and Barcelona – and has started just two of their seven matches this term.
City came from behind on Sunday to beat Liverpool 2-1, with Bunny Shaw scoring in the 58th and 92nd minutes. Taylor used only one of his substitutes and said in his post-match interview that it would have been difficult to bring in more players as they would not be ‘in the rhythm of the game’.
Manchester City are in danger of losing England star Chloe Kelly at the end of the season
There has been a rift in the relationship with manager Gareth Taylor and Kelly
Sky Sports pundit Fern Whelan questioned that assessment and argued that the match was ‘crying out’ for Kelly to continue with City in search of a goal.
It is not the first time the striker has been left out of the City team and last season there were signs that the relationship between the two may be faltering.
Kelly was left on the bench for the Manchester derby in March, the fourth game in a row that she had not made the starting XI, with Taylor noting that she had to ‘work hard in training every day to be ready’.
He also used Jess Park as an example of a player who had made it back into the team after not playing.
“The levels have to be right and that’s the same for all players,” Taylor said. “I think Jess is probably a good example of that, her attitude, her enthusiasm and her level of training performance was very good whether she was playing or not. I think that’s a big plus for her.”
Manchester City were contacted by Mail Sport but declined to comment.
The England international has already been an unused substitute three times this season
The situation between Taylor and Kelly puts City in a vulnerable position in negotiations with the England forward, who is said to have plenty of interest from other clubs.
It is clear that Kelly has been happy at City since her move from Everton in 2020 and has a strong bond and love for the club.
But the current situation means it will be difficult for the two sides to agree on a new contract.