Sarina Wiegman insists Chloe Kelly is “not out of the Euros” despite omitting the forward from her England squad to face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League this month.
Kelly, who memorably scored the match-winning goal for England against Germany in the Euro 2022 final, sealed a loan move to Arsenal in the January transfer window.
The 27-year-old has been candid about her frustrations over a lack of playing time and situation at parent club Manchester City, airing her grievances on social media before her Gunners deal was confirmed.
“She hasn’t played enough in my opinion,” said England boss Wiegman. “She moved clubs now, but last autumn she hardly played.
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“As I said, she’s got some credits, but over that time she played so few minutes so let’s first now get started at Arsenal, get some minutes in, start playing and showing what you’re about, and then we can revisit that again.
“We had a good conversation yesterday and she understands she’s not out from the Euros.
“When she gets back, she’s in full training, of course, and hopefully gets minutes soon as well, and as soon as she can show again, then we will revisit it.”
Kelly’s playing time since returning to Arsenal – where she began her senior career – has been limited by eligibility rules around her loan move which ruled her out of the Gunners’ back-to-back meetings with City in the Women’s Super League and League Cup semi-final.
Chloe Kelly (right) misses out on Wiegman’s latest squad but Nikita Parris (left) returns (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Wiegman added: “She was hurt, she was worried about her mental health, I think that’s what her statement (on social media) was.
“I don’t have the full context, but I’m just glad now she had a move, which she mentioned that was really good for her, and hopefully, as she said, she can get a smile back on her face.”
Nikita Parris, who joined Brighton on a permanent transfer from Manchester United in September, returns to Wiegman’s squad for the first time since November 2022.
The 30-year-old forward, who has been capped by England 71 times and was part of the European Championship-winning squad, has scored four WSL goals for Albion this season, also adding two assists.
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Chelsea duo Niamh Charles and Lauren James also return after being sidelined from England action since July and April of last year respectively.
Midfielders Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace retain their places in Wiegman’s squad after making their debuts in December, but Gabby George has been dropped.
England play Portugal in the Algarve on February 21 before taking on Spain – who they lost to in the 2023 World Cup final – on February 26 at Wembley.
The Lionesses have further fixtures ahead of them in their Nations League group, which also features Belgium, before kicking off their European title defence in July.
“First of all I want to win these fixtures,” Wiegman added.
“It’s Nations League of course, and it’s also getting us in the best possible position for the Euros, but also for the World Cup later on.
“You have to find balance (in the squad). You always want to win games, and go out and at the same time preparing for the Euros.
“We’re not going to change eight, 10 players in a game, but when we get the opportunity, of course we will try out things.
“But the main thing is we want to win games.”