From foster care to Champions League – Kelly ‘just getting started’

“I’ve come a long way,” I said.

As the Englishman prepares to face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night, there is no denying the former Newcastle United and Bournemouth defender has advanced beyond the average to this grand stage.

Kelly, who was seven years old, was placed in foster care, where he spent more than ten years living with his siblings Mary and Marcus, in three different families.

And he has never resisted mentioning his travels.

The 27-year-old said, “Fostering is something I will always have a passion for.” I have firsthand experience with the benefits of foster care for children.

Because it gives the children a sense of home, a sense of family, and a sense of meaning, and because it means a lot, I don’t think people realize how significant their effects can be.

You can go through experiences that you might not have had otherwise if you had stayed in your own environment. I’m a staunch supporter of the system, and it’s amazing.

Kelly is, in a way that speaks volumes, keeping in touch with Thelma, his most recent foster mother, who has been given a visit from Turin.

And he wants his own son to have a stable place to live.

But how did he come to Italy to play?

It was a “no-brainer” for Kelly to ask his agent about joining Juventus in the midst of the closing stages of the mid-season window because he had been struggling to make it into the Newcastle team.

The brand-new player made his debut against Como in February with a 2-1 victory, but it was a difficult start.

In the knockout phase play-offs, PSV ultimately sent Juventus out of the Champions League. In the Coppa Italia, Empoli defeated the Serie A giants. And Kelly’s side came in 12 points clear of league leaders Napoli.

In March, manager Thiago Motta was fired, and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, who had a key role in Kelly’s arrival in Turin, followed the Italian away a few months later.

Kelly’s family had not yet moved with him abroad, and he was still learning a new culture, language, and playstyle.

He said, “It’s always challenging to come to a club, especially one with this status, with the players who have played for them, and with what that means to the fans.”

However, Kelly now feels that the “real him” is being seen by his supporters.

He has started nine of Igor Tudor’s Juventus games this season and has scored a few important goals.

In the Champions League game 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund last month, Kelly scored a dramatic equalizer in the final minute despite conceding a penalty late on.

No wonder Kelly’s body was still pumping with adrenaline in the early hours of the morning.

He said, “I would never have imagined that I would be able to play Champions League football at the beginning of my career.” When you exit and hear the anthem, you experience chills.

I’ve always wondered, “Can I get there? ” as something I look at every time. Being able to is very important.

However, Kelly doesn’t seem happy at the moment.

Thomas Tuchel, England manager, may have a settled group, but the defender hasn’t given up on a senior-level appearance as a result.

He said, “I’ve always thought about it since I finished with the under-21s. The England squad is incredible.

“It’s incredible how many players and what a great country England is.” Everyone is aware that the World Cup is taking place in a very crucial year.

A year ago, it seemed even more distant than it was.

Kelly acknowledged that his move to Newcastle did not go “the way he wanted” when he left Bournemouth for Newcastle on a free transfer in June 2024.

Due to his playing in Kelly’s preferred positions of left-sided centre-back and left-back, Lewis Hall and Dan Burn both had similar performances, and he only made a small number of league starts for Newcastle.

You want to enter, show what you can do, and play consistent football, he said.

But toward Newcastle, I don’t feel any pain. I had the opportunity to develop and play for a very good club.

Instead, Kelly fondly recalls the “unbelievable” atmosphere at St. James’ Park.

He is also “proud to have accompanied the players who helped put an end to Newcastle’s 70-year quest for a significant domestic prize with the Carabao Cup.”

By that point, Kelly had already left, but he had already won matches against Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon in the previous rounds and started playing for the team in the semi-final first-leg win over Arsenal.

One is headed for Kelly just as Miguel Almiron received a medal to honor his contribution, who also left for Atlanta United in the summer.

The centre-back had already signed for Newcastle and been on good terms with head coach Eddie Howe, who had previously brought him to Bournemouth.

He said, “The number of players who have progressed and played under him is outstanding.” I’ll always consider him very important.

When Kelly first entered the Juventus dressing room, he had just finished saying goodbye to Howe.

Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini used to sit in this area.

Kelly is now a step up from them.