Kelly transfer saga end was ‘really disappointing’ – Taylor

How Chloe Kelly’s bitter transfer saga ended, according to Gareth Taylor, manager of Manchester City.

After being the subject of intense transfer rumors for a while, Kelly joined City’s women’s super league rivals Arsenal on deadline day.

The 27-year-old England international stated on Wednesday on Instagram that she wanted to “be happy again” and did not anticipate leaving City after the summer.

In a news conference on Friday, Taylor said, “It’s been really disappointing coming to this and the ending it transpired to.”

We never like to hear that a player has had a positive experience playing for a club, and I’m sure that’s not the case during that time, perhaps just this more recent one.

We operate in a selection-based organization, where difficult choices must be made to benefit the team. “Sometimes, players can fall on the sharp end of that.”

With the 2025 European Championship upcoming in July, Kelly, who had only made one league start for City this year, was concerned about her place in the England squad.

The forward continued on Wednesday, “I want to give this summer my best shot to represent my country because the Euros are quickly approaching.

With only four months left in the football season, I can and can’t be dictated who I can and cannot join, which has a significant impact on both my career and my mental well-being.

Before a loan agreement with Arsenal was reached, Manchester United made an offer for Kelly on Thursday, but City rejected it.

Kelly claimed in a separate Instagram post on Thursday that Kelly was “briefing journalists against me” and that the club was trying to “assassinate my character.”

When asked about the player’s comments, Taylor said: “I don’t live in that world of social media, as any head coach would tell you it’s not good for your health.